The Longhaired Whippet is also recognized as the Silken Windsprite and has long, beautiful, silky hair, unlike the Whippet breed that is characterized by short and straight hair. The long coat of the Silken Windsprite protects it from cold and harsh weather, and it was shocking for me at first, too, but this long coat is quite easy to maintain!
It has an undercoat as well that protects against different elements of nature. Its long face, tucked-in tummy, broad chest, silky hair, dark eyes, and feathered tail give the Longhaired Whippet an elegant look. Coat colors include white, black, brindle, fawn, and red.
Longhaired Whippet History
The Longhaired Whippet is a new breed that originated about 50 years ago, and very little is known about them. It is even argued if it is a pure breed or not.
In the 1970s, Walter A. Wheeler Jr., a breeder, claimed to have been successful when he bred his Whippets with other Whippet breeders that showed evidence that they had the longhaired gene. Some breeders debate that the term “Whippet” should solely be used for the shorthaired whippets because they’re the standard breed. Even so, putting aside the pros and cons of this rare breed, the Longhaired Whippet is here for the long run!
Longhaired Whippet Characteristics
The Longhaired Whippet is a dog of quite the character! It is dignified, elegant, graceful, kinda goofy, and funny. Wow! In addition, it is super loving, kind, sweet, energetic, loyal, and playful. The Longhaired Whippets are quite people-oriented and enjoy being involved in various activities with us.
As mentioned before, the Longhaired Whippet has a dignified and athletic look. It likes to be friends with other dogs, but socialization training at early stages may be required for it to interact well with cats and other small animals.
How Big Do Longhaired Whippets Get
A 6-month-old (male and female) Longhaired Whippet grows about 11 inches tall, weighing around 11 pounds. A year-old Longhaired Whippet can be 16 inches in height and 21.5 pounds in weight. Later on, they grow up to be 20 inches tall and weigh around 28 pounds.
How Long Does a Longhaired Whippet Live
The customary lifespan for a Longhaired Whippet is 12-15 years. Ensuring that the dog is provided with enough exercise, good food, love, and attention can get it to live a full and happy life.
How Much Does a Longhaired Whippet Cost
Usually, the price of any dog depends on various factors, this includes things like breeder’s reputation etc. But the average price one would have to pay for a Lhasalier would be $1000-$1500. Annual expenses can be $700-$1000 and include several items such as a leash, collars, dog beds, plush toys, costumes, a dog house, etc.
Longhaired Whippet Temperament/Personality
The Longhaired Whippet has a remarkable personality. It has a graceful stature and a very kind and sweet nature. Longhaired Whippets love adventures and, therefore, will go anywhere we take them!
Because of their adventurous nature, they’re also quite curious and are likely to wander off but will most definitely find their way back to their precious family members. But in the beginning, it would do us well to have a GPS tracker or an activity monitor so that we know our dogs are safe and sound. At first, they stay on guard in the presence of strangers but later start to warm up to them and are pretty welcoming.
Caring For Longhaired Whippets
The Longhaired Whippet is a very active dog and has an independent nature, so it’s not prone to separation anxiety. However, it does like to follow its owners wherever they go as it pleases. They love to snuggle up and cuddle and will do well in an apartment as well.
Longhaired Whippet Nutrition
Firstly, it is necessary to consult a vet before deciding on a proper diet for our pets. Longhaired Whippets are light and have a well-defined build, so they shouldn’t be overfed. A well-balanced diet should be given to them so that they stay happy and healthy. We recommend feeding them 2 – 3 cups of dog food per day. You can include treats as well, but ensure that you’re not doing it mindlessly.
How to Groom a Longhaired Whippet
Longhaired Whippets are super easy to maintain. Quite the ideal pet, no? With their long and silky hair, they require weekly brushing. They have natural oils in their coat, so they shouldn’t be bathed too often so that those oils don’t wash off. Also, a very mild shampoo or medicated shampoo (if necessary) should be used to bathe a Longhaired Whippet.
Regularly cleaning of ears with good ear cleaners and checking for eye infections should be done to stay careful. Brushing teeth every 2-3 days prevents bad breath and makes our dogs smile brighter! Also, we should consult a vet before starting any medication for Longhaired Whippets because they are sensitive to certain drugs.
Longhaired Whippet Activity Levels
The Longhaired Whippets are pretty active dogs and love to accompany their owners on daily runs. They have a build similar to that of the Shorthaired Whippet and the Greyhound, so they make running look effortless! An hour of exercise daily would do well to maintain their good health.
Caring For Longhaired Whippet
Longhaired Whippets have an independent nature, so it’s best to let them explore and seek adventures wherever they can. And other times, they like to cuddle and get the baby treatment, so it’s best to give ’em what they need ’cause that’s our favorite activity, too!
Longhaired Whippet Health
The Longhaired Whippets are very healthy dogs and are likely to live a full life without any danger of diseases. However, it’s always best to stay safe and keep an eye out for concerns like Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and ear infections.
Breeds Similar To Longhaired Whippets
- Akita shepherd
- Border Jack
- Border collie cocker
- Deutsche bracke
- Irish wolfhound
- Irish terrier
- Icelandic sheepdog
Best Dog Food For Longhaired Whippet
The best dog food for Longhaired Whippet is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. The balanced diet features natural antioxidants, and it has chelated minerals. Rich in amino acids, the recipe contains lamb, water buffalo, peas, beef, eggs, etc.
- Its 32% of crude protein takes care of muscles, eye health, and whole-body strength.
- Fortified with fermentation products, the recipe provides around 370 Kcal/cup of energy.
- Mixed with moisture, the recipe is fiber-filled and glucosamine-rich.
Best Puppy Food For Longhaired Whippet
The best puppy food for Longhaired Whippet is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food. Its small puppy-sized kibbles are ideal for heart health and blood circulation. Designed for the skeletal growth of puppies, the meal is affordable and boosts immune functions.
- The wholesome diet has whole grain wheat, barley, chicken fat, carrots, apples, etc.
- Packed with natural flavors, the recipe provides Vitamin E and C support to the body.
- Enriched with fish oil, the puppy food promotes teeth health.
Best Dog Bed For Longhaired Whippet
The best dog bed for Longhaired Whippet is FurHaven Self-Warming Convertible Cuddle Mat Bolster Cat & Dog Bed. You will hardly consider this furry mat-like item as a pet bed. You can button up the bed to use its blanket.
- Made in only small and large sizes, the bed features self-warming fur.
- Weighing only 9.6 ounces, the bed is convertible into four different shapes.
- Its faux-fur layer is sleep-inducing and prevents flea attacks.
Best Dog Crate For Longhaired Whippet
The best dog crate for Longhaired Whippet is Petmate Ultra Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, Taupe/Black, 36-in. Though it is made of plastic, it features a comfortable accommodation for your Longhaired Whippet. The crate is divided into two halves- the first half is tan-colored, and the bottom one is black in color.
- It has ventilation on two sides to ensure air-flow.
- Its steel door doesn’t allow the Longhaired Whippet dog to come out of it without your permission.
- This spacious crate allows you to place toys, food cups, etc., inside it.
Best Dog Harness For Longhaired Whippet
The best dog harness for Longhaired Whippet is Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness. You can find the body of the harness in pink, red, blue, baby blue, and purple color. Its black piping makes the harness vibrant, and It adds D rings for the addition of the leash.
- The breathable harness is polyester-made.
- The step-in harness doesn’t mess the fur and lets it move freely.
- Its fastener strap ensures a reliable fit.
Sources
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