I like a whippet first as a race-dog; a more interesting study for the subject of "animal psychology" is hard to find, but there is no need to expatiate upon this somewhat abstract subject here. Like all dogs their characters are like those of their masters, and they are as easily impressionable and taught as any other dog I have had to do with. A thorough-bred whippet can be taught retrieving and ratting, whilst he is naturally a better hand at rabbits than a terrier or a greyhound. I have four thoroughbred whippets that will hunt the scent of a rabbit, or any other scent, for any distance. Each takes its own line, and they are remarkably clever at casting, and travel at a great speed. I have known them to hunt a hare entirely by its scent, over the Downs, for about a mile and a half. A lady looks better with a whippet than with most other dogs; they are so ornamental. Though if for this purpose a foil is required, a bulldog certainly serves best. MR. HARDING COX.-There is not much fault to find with the type of the breed as it exists to-day, but breeders must keep up sufficient bone, and must be careful about close, strong, wellarched and well-split up feet. I have always judged whippets on greyhound lines, making due allowance for difference of type in hindquarters. Beyond the sport afforded by whippets in sprinting matches and coursing rabbits, I fancy there is little to recommend them as companions, though they are lively and amiable as a rule. MRS. CHARLES CHAPMAN.-I think there is a danger in breeding whippets fit for the bench only, and losing sight of the qualities necessary for racing. The whippet is gifted with extraordinary speed, and for the limited distance it races, exceeds that of the greyhound. My bitch, Ch. Rosette of Radnage, accomplished the feat of winning a championship at the Kennel Club Show of 1900, and winning the handicap promoted by the Whippet Club at the same show. Whippet-racing, properly conducted, is a most charming sport, and essentially suitable for ladies to interest themselves in, and I feel very sorry that the efforts made to popularise it seem to have been without result. Whippets, or more properly speaking, race-dogs, are capital house companions; but their principal interest lies in the sport they afford. And for my "ideal" whippet, I see him held in the leash by his handler, eager for the start. He is straining every nerve, quivering with excitement, and fairly screaming in his anxiety to be after the white rag, to reach which is, to the uninitiated, the inexplicable cause of this mysterious racing. My ideal is of brindle colour, about 15 or 16 lbs. in weight, so that he is well placed in the handicap. His head is long and lean, his mouth perfectly level, his ears small, and shoulders as sloping as possible. His body is well tucked up, with the brisket very deep; his back slightly arched, with a whip tail carried low, but nicely curved. His hindquarters are very muscular, and his fore legs absolutely straight, with feet hard and close; and hind legs well turned, with hocks bent under him; all the muscles induced by the thorough training he has undergone showing he looks what he is a perfect picture of a "race-dog." MR. A. LAMOTTE. The breed is making great strides in the right direction, viz., a greyhound, weighing about 20 lbs. In the Standard of Points great value should be laid on power in hindquarters and loin, good feet and legs, deep brisket, with plenty of heart room. The whippet was made to race, and gallop short distances at a great speed. To see these small pets fighting it out, yard by yard, on the track, is wonderful. And how they love the sport! Unfortunate it is that it is not in better hands; but we must hope that this will improve in time. The whippet, as a pet, is a very charming animal, and its affection for its owner is great. Watching them running about, with their quick, graceful movements, is a joy to the eye. MR. FRED BOTTOMLEY.-The type of whippet to-day is better than of late, though there is still room for improvement in shoulders, weak pasterns, straight hocks and size, which, in my opinion, should not exceed 20 lbs. I am the oldest whippet exhibitor, and for the last ten years have made but few additions to my kennels, always showing my own strain, which include Ch. Manorley New Boy and Ch. Manorley Model, now withdrawn from the show-bench. I have always found whippets the best of pals, very game dogs, and the fastest dog living for their size. I take the following Standard of Points from the Whippet Club's publication. This institution has a strong committee, Mr. Charles S. Smith is the Honorary Secretary, and the subscription is half a guinea annually. The club owns a challenge cup, which is competed for every year at the Kennel Club Show. STANDARD OF POINTS OF THE WHIPPET HEAD.-Long and lean, rather wide between the eyes, and flat at the top. The jaw powerful, yet clearly cut. TEETH.-Level and white. EYES. Bright and fiery. EARS. Small, fine in texture, and rose shaped. NECK.Long and muscular, elegantly arched, and free from throatiness. Shoulders.-Oblique and muscular. CHEST.-Deep and capacious. BACK.-Broad and square; rather long and slightly arched over the loin, which should be strong and powerful. FORE LEGS.-Rather long, well set under the dog, possessing fair amount of bone. HINDQUARTERS.-Strong and broad across, stifles well bent, thighs broad and muscular, hocks well let down. FEET.-Round, well split up, with strong soles. TAIL.-Tapering, long and nicely carried. COAT.-Fine and close. COLOUR.-Black, red, white, brindle, fawn, blue, and various mixtures of each. WEIGHT. The ideal weight is 20 lbs. There are no points values published in this breed. The subject of my illustration is Mr. Fred Bottomley's beautiful bitch Manorley May, born in June 1899, by Fullerton ex Judy. She stands 17 inches at shoulder, weighs 19 lbs., and is of a fawn colour. Mr. Bottomley describes her as having a grand, long, lean head, brown eyes, semi-erect ears, small and fine in texture, and beautiful neck and shoulders. Her body and legs are perfect, and she is framed for speed and work. She possesses all the good points of a first-class whippet, and has proved herself a very fast bitch in handicap races, as well as a great winner on the show-bench. She won a championship at Brighton, firsts every time shown, and is the dam of winners. |