Whippets with other animals (cats)
Discussion
Hi everyone... just something I've wondered about. I'm not intending to get a dog any time soon, but you never know, maybe one day. I like and have a cat, and I like the look of Whippets. Apparently they're v friendly, and I love the look of them when they get moving (also short coat and supposed less smelliness appeals).
I wondered though, are they hard to control with small animals? Would one want to chase my cat (I'd guess it would easily outrun it)? If it caught it would it be part of a game or would it rip it to pieces?
Thanks!
I wondered though, are they hard to control with small animals? Would one want to chase my cat (I'd guess it would easily outrun it)? If it caught it would it be part of a game or would it rip it to pieces?
Thanks!
Whippets are sight hounds. They instinctively chase and try to kill small furry moving objects. Like cats.
Another example is the saluki/lurcher cross some friends of mine have. Such a docile, quiet and recessive dog, and so well trained. Until they were at a party here and my cat walked across the lawn. Then all hell broke loose.
Have one pet because you like the look of it. If you have to have a second, choose it with care.
Another example is the saluki/lurcher cross some friends of mine have. Such a docile, quiet and recessive dog, and so well trained. Until they were at a party here and my cat walked across the lawn. Then all hell broke loose.
Have one pet because you like the look of it. If you have to have a second, choose it with care.
There are no hard and fast rules.
Some sighthounds (including whippets) are cat-friendly, others are not.
Some are perfectly happy with cats in their own home, but not with strange cats outside the home.
I've owned two whippets (adopted at 8 months old) who were described as 'cat-workable', but don't have cats, so that was never tested. I wouldn't have trusted them with my rabbits though.
Some sighthounds (including whippets) are cat-friendly, others are not.
Some are perfectly happy with cats in their own home, but not with strange cats outside the home.
I've owned two whippets (adopted at 8 months old) who were described as 'cat-workable', but don't have cats, so that was never tested. I wouldn't have trusted them with my rabbits though.
My family have always had whippets and my sister's dog Ozzy is now about 10. Yes, they're sight hounds and do obviously like to run after 'prey', but they also (IMO) acclimatise very quickly. Squirrels, however, remain fair game. Our dogs have grown up with young kids and Ozzy in particular has always been pretty chilled out given he shares his house with a 9yr old and a 5 yr old. Probably something to do with the amount of food they leave lying around.
I have two whippets, who are completely opposite re cats.
My girl whippet is scared of cats and will make a detour around them.
My boy whippet ? Seek-and-destroy.
Whippets are half cat, half racehorse, so I could imagine, if they grew up with a cat, they might be OK with it.
Whether a squirrel, cat, or stuffed toy, they don't really play, preferring to rip them apart.
My girl whippet is scared of cats and will make a detour around them.
My boy whippet ? Seek-and-destroy.
Whippets are half cat, half racehorse, so I could imagine, if they grew up with a cat, they might be OK with it.
Whether a squirrel, cat, or stuffed toy, they don't really play, preferring to rip them apart.
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