Breed History
Small, Greyhound-like dogs can be seen in works of art dating back to Roman times....
The term Whippet was not used until 1610, however, and the Whippet as we know it today was not developed until the end of the 19th century. Whippets were created by the crossbreeding of the Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, and small Terriers. These crossings were done with the intent of producing a small, quick dog that could successfully hunt small game. The Whippet first appeared in England, and was popular among the working class. In fact, the Whippet was once called the poor mans Greyhound, and on non-working days their owners could be found racing their dogs on fields or down roads. The Whippet was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1888 but was not recognized as a breed in England until 1891. Since that time, Whippets have become one of the most popular Hound breeds. Because of their small size and sweet, gentle disposition, they are popular family dogs and companions. As a racing dog, Whippets have been able to achieve speeds of up to 37 miles per hour! They also excel in other activities, such as racing, flyball, agility, hunting, sighting and obedience training.