A canine trainer has candidly addressed a common issue with the “lovely” dog breed.
Dog expert Will Atherton quipped he “hates Whippet breeds” before quickly clarifying he doesn’t actually despise any pups.
However, he did highlight a particular concern with this breed that potential owners should be mindful of before adopting one.
He explained: “Every breed has their pros, every breed has their cons,” and while he “loves” certain aspects of various breeds, he’s not keen on some specific traits.
In the case of the Whippet, there’s one characteristic to watch out for.
Will confessed: “With the Whippet, the thing I’m not a huge fan of is that it can be incredibly over-sensitive,” He described them as “are lovely sweetheart dogs,” but revealed the Whippet at his facility was dealing with “problem behaviour stemming from that exact thing”.
He said if you get a Whippet, you have to make sure that you know how to bring confidence out in them so they don’t become “overly nervous, overly anxious, or develop things like separation anxiety”.
According to the PDSA, Whippets need to be able to have a good run around but will then happily curl up on the sofa for the rest of the day. They are medium-sized dogs, which makes them a popular choice for first-time pet owners, but they do note “training a Whippet can take some time”.
“They enjoy being part of everything at home, so it suits households where they can be included in everything. They have a lot of character although can be a little shy when meeting new people, so early socialisation is a must,” the animal experts added.
If they’re left alone, they also warn Whippets may “start to destroy things around the home”, highlighting it’s important to have someone around at all times for the dog, as they can suffer from separation anxiety.
When it comes to children, the PDSA it’s best for Whippets to find “a home with slightly older children who understand when to give your dog space”.
In the comments of Will’s TikTok, someone wrote: “They are just the bestest. It’s their sensitivity I love.” Another defended the breed, saying: “My Whippet just passed away, but she was the BEST dog I’ve ever had. She did not have any behavioural issues; I love this breed.”
A dog owner penned: “I will agree with you that they can be sensitive dogs. But when you say they are anxious dogs, the majority of problems with the breed is the owners that cause the problems.”
