Whippig

Not much is known about the history of the Whippig since it's a new breed. However, their parent breeds, the Italian Greyhound and the Whippet, have lengthy histories.

The Italian Greyhound is believed to have originated in Greece and Turkey, but they charmed their way into the hearts of Italian nobles, which is how they received their name. There are many paintings from as far back as the Middle Ages featuring dogs that look similar to the Italian Greyhound. But the breed as we know today it gained popularity in the 1600s as a prized pet, this time of English nobility.

Famous historical figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, and many more, were admirers of these handsome dogs. The Italian Greyhound wasn’t content to stay in Europe, however, and made their way to the United States, where they were admitted into the American Kennel Club in 1886.

The Whippet was developed during the 1800s by workers in England who bred Greyhounds with Terriers to create a smaller, but still very fast, sighthound. Competitions were held to see which dog could catch prey the fastest. Sometimes, Whippet handlers would simply race the dogs and bet on which would win.

When they weren’t racing their Whippets, the working class used them to hunt rabbits. It’s no wonder that these dogs have a strong prey drive to this day! The Whippet was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888. Despite their origins as a working dog, the Whippet’s friendly personality and playful energy have made them a popular choice for companionship in recent years.