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I love Whippets… this is my blog after all! If you’re in any doubt about how much they rock my world, check out my article about why Whippets are the best dog breed. However, like any dog, I recognise they aren’t without their faults, and I know for some that Whippets are the worst breed of dog for them.
After over 10 years of Whippet ownership, I know that Whippets truly are the only dog breed I’d ever share my life with. At the same time, I recognise there are some Whippety traits that might put some people off.
So just in case you’re not familiar with aspects of the Whippet temperament that might be seen as undesirable or behaviours that could upset your apple cart, here’s my take on why people might imagine Whippets are the worst dog breed.
Table of Contents
- 7 Reasons Why Whippets Are The Worst Dog Breed!
- Whippets Will Eat Anything!
- They’ll Steal Your Place… Especially If It’s Cosy
- They’re A Little Needy
- They Can Be Difficult With Cats
- They Can Be Independent
- They’re Hard To Train
- They Want To Sleep In Your Bed!
- Summary
- Related Posts
7 Reasons Why Whippets Are the Worst Dog Breed?
While lots of dog breeds have their own little foibles that can turn potential owners off, the following 7 reasons highlight for some why Whippets are the worst dog breed of all!
Whippets Will Eat Anything!
Okay this is an issue that many dog owners face. Nonetheless, Whippets cannot be trusted at all if there’s food within reach.
A Whippet will eat anything no matter the time of day nor if they’re already full from their last meal. Of course many dogs will do this: they’re chancers and will take advantage of the culinary opportunities that present themselves!
Maybe you’d imagine that because of a Whippet’s size and physique that this athletic looking breed doesn’t eat much.
You’d be wrong!
They’ll Steal Your Place… Especially If It’s Cosy
Whippets are very slender dogs and they tend to have little body fat so they love being close to a source of warmth.
As a consequence, you’ll often find that a Whippet will take any comfy and cozy spot you vacate.
You might be sitting on your sofa watching TV and get up to make yourself a cup of tea. Or perhaps you simply leave your favourite armchair to answer the door. As an opportunist your Whippet will happily jump in your spot!
You snooze, you lose dad… as my daughter’s say!
Whippets Are A Little Needy
Many people see Whippets as a timid Sighthound breed, and it’s true they can be somewhat skittish and aloof.
However, as a Whippet owner I don’t see timidity so much as neediness.
Whippets can be needy. They can follow you around the house, whine for your attention if you don’t give them as much as they’d like and fall asleep on you if an opportunity presents itself.
Additionally, Whippets don’t like being left alone and may cry and whine if they think you’ve been away too long.
At the same time, these traits can be endearing as although this seeming dependence might irk some, for me they demonstrate the sweetness of the Whippet personality.
They Can Be Difficult With Cats
Whippets are Sighthounds… and Sighthounds love to chase things.
I know of many people who happily keep Sighthounds and cats together, but in my experience that’s like trying to mix oil and water.
You can keep Whippets and cats together, but there’s always the risk that your Whippet will be unable to resist the urge to chase it.
In my view you should never, ever, leave any Sighthound alone at home with a cat.
Why Are Dogs Better Than Cats?
They Can Be Independent
Remember that aloofness I was talking about? Well… aloofness can equate to independence.
Whippets have an independent streak that can mean they’re apt to do just exactly what they want to do, no matter what you want to do!
You want to go for a walk… your Whippet might refuse to budge (especially if it’s cold and wet outside).
Maybe you want your Whippet to come to you when you’ve let it off the lead. A Whippet might decide it’s not done having fun just yet… thank you very much!
Sometimes it seems that the only thing that can break independent thinking is the promise of a treat!
Can You Walk a Whippet Off Lead?
They’re Hard To Train
The whippet independent streak can seriously impact your ability to train them.
Whippets can be trained, but it ain’t a walk in the park.
I wouldn’t say that Whippets are disobedient per se… I mean, I don’t feel that they see your wishes as oppressive. It’s just that they consider your commands and decide they’d prefer to do something else!
They Want To Sleep In Your Bed!
When I’m out walking my Whippet and I bump into other whippet owners, the common experience seems to be that our dogs love to sleep in our beds with us.
I know that many dogs would probably enjoy this given the opportunity but Whippets seem to be particularly driven towards this behaviour.
Although this is not perhaps something that Whippets were specifically bred for, I know in past times people were happy to have them as a kind of organic bed warmer on cold winter nights!
Whippets love sleeping under covers and we know they love to be warm. So if you’re thinking of owning a Whippet, be aware that they’ll try to sneak into your bed.
There are some who would argue that dogs shouldn’t sleep with you in your bed. Others would say that if your dog complains about not being allowed in your bedroom at night you just need to be firm with them until they learn.
Maybe they’re right.
In our experience, our whippet was so bereft about not being allowed into our room at night that she wailed non-stop.
After several weeks of this we broke!
To be honest I quite like having her in our bed at night these days. However, if this is something you don’t want, be prepared for a fight!
Summary – Are Whippets Really the Worst Breed of Dog?
So do I really believe that Whippets are the worst dog breed?
Of course not! In fact I couldn’t imagine sharing my life with any other breed.
However, this doesn’t mean I don’t recognise they aren’t perfect… even if they are the perfect dog breed or me.
We’re all different though and I appreciate that Whippets aren’t for everyone… but they’re certainly not the worst dog breed!
Are you someone who believes that Whippets are the worst dog breed? Maybe you’d like to nominate another breed instead? Please tell me your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
Related Posts
- A Guide to Whippet Mixes
- Brindle Whippets – The Most Beautiful of All Whippets?
- Whippet Dog Owner Interview – Vicki and Flea
- A Guide to Blue Whippets
- 16 Things Only a Whippet Owner Can Tell You!
- Can Whippets Swim?
- What to Think About When Adopting a Whippet
- Do Whippets Bark?
- What Are Bully Whippets?
- How Fast Can a Whippet Run?
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Jaye Singer says
My whippet Rani was the easiest to train of any dog I’ve had. By 12 weeks she had all the standard commands down and would do many other clever things too. She had a toy box full of squeaky animals and knew at least 30 of them by name. She passed away in 2016 at almost 15yo, she was my soul mate and I still grieve for her.
paulf says
Hello Jaye. Rani must have been such a lovely friend… I’m so sorry she’s no longer with you.
Eileen Harker says
I have a whippet & whippet x collie our x listens to my commands walks beside me in fields and comes back to me. Our whippet in the other hand likes to do what she likes unless the treats are on tap. But I wouldn’t have any other breed. I was brought up with whippets & greyhounds and they are the best!
paulf says
Ha… this is such a familiar scenario for me Eileen. My Whippet Misty is sooo obedient when the treats are on offer! But I couldn’t wish for a better friend!
Barbara Davis says
We had a part whippet from the shelter. He was so small that our cat took him under his paw and taught him everything. He was a joyful dog and I miss him so much. The only problem was that he would sometimes jump the fence and run the neighborhood.