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The Whippet is a fascinating paradox for the traveler: a sprinter capable of reaching 56 km/h who spends most of its day sleeping on the most comfortable sofa it can find. This duality between sporting explosiveness and absolute calm makes it a surprisingly easy-to-live-with travel companion in accommodation. Its slim and elegant silhouette gives it the appearance of a living work of art that arouses admiration and curiosity everywhere. Its exercise need boils down to two intense and short runs per day, leaving ample time for cultural visits. The Whippet is the sighthound par excellence for travelers who wish to combine occasional sporting activities and lounging.
Atouts en voyage
- Perfect alternation between explosive sprints and prolonged sofa rest
- Calm and silent temperament indoors, ideal for accommodation
- Short coat requiring no maintenance and leaving no odor
- Slim silhouette facilitating passage in restricted transport spaces
Defis a anticiper
- Extreme cold fragility requiring complete clothing equipment
- Irrepressible pursuit instinct making releases risky near roads
- Thin skin subject to cuts and scrapes on uneven terrain
Profil voyage
Se deplacer avec votre Whippet
The Whippet is a remarkably calm train passenger who generally falls asleep a few minutes after departure. Its narrow silhouette occupies little floor space near its owner's feet. Equip it with a muzzle and coat because car air conditioning makes it quickly shiver. Its natural silence and stillness make it one of the best train dogs all breeds combined.
In the car, the Whippet curls up on a soft cushion and sleeps peacefully throughout the journey. Plan a blanket because it always seeks warmth and burrows under available fabrics. It tolerates very long journeys well thanks to its ability to sleep deeply for hours. A stop with a short run in a fenced field suffices for it to stretch before replunging into sleep.
The Whippet travels in hold despite sometimes weighing less than 10 kg, because its transport bag must accommodate its long legs. Double the interior of the crate with a thick blanket and coat because temperatures in hold worry for this cold-sensitive breed. Choose a flight in temperate period to minimize hypothermia risk. Its natural calm helps it tolerate the journey without panic.
Sante en voyage
Risques specifiques
- Rapid hypothermia as soon as temperature drops below 12 degrees
- Skin lacerations on its extremely thin skin during runs in uneven terrain
- Muscle injuries like strains during cold sprints
Precautions
Gradually warm up your Whippet before any free running session because cold starts provoke frequent muscle strains in sighthounds. Inspect its thin skin after each nature outing to spot superficial cuts that could become infected. Never let it sleep without blanket, even indoors, because it cools very quickly at rest.
Tolerance chaleur
The Whippet tolerates heat correctly thanks to its short coat and slim morphology which dissipates body temperature well. Nevertheless avoid intense runs in full sun because its absence of body fat doesn't insulate it from extreme temperatures. Offer it fresh water regularly because it dehydrates faster than more massive breeds. Its long muzzle favors good respiratory ventilation in hot weather.
Pharmacie de voyage
- Adhesive bandages adapted to sighthounds' thin skin
- Anti-inflammatory gel for muscle soreness after runs
- Thermal survival blanket for hypothermic emergencies
- Healing balm for frequent scrapes on its delicate skin
Equipement indispensable
Technical multilayer coat
The Whippet without subcutaneous fat or undercoat shivers as soon as the thermometer drops, a coat is necessary almost year-round except in midsummer
Indoor fleece pajamas
The Whippet continues to shiver indoors if heating is insufficient, fleece pajamas ensure it restorative sleep in cool accommodation
Sighthound martingale collar
Its narrow head thinner than its neck allows it to slip out of classic collars, the martingale tightens without strangling when it pulls
Foldable orthopedic cushion
Its protruding joints and thin skin suffer on hard floors, a thick cushion protects its elbows and hips during rest
Anti-cut racing suit
Its cigarette-paper skin tears at slightest contact with brambles or thorns, the suit protects its body during runs in natural terrain
Ou partir avec votre Whippet ?
The Whippet loves long flat beaches where it can sprint at full speed without obstacles. Parks and gardens of Loire Valley castles or large lawns of seaside resorts offer it ideal space for its brief but intense runs.
Le saviez-vous ?
The Whippet can reach 56 km/h in only three strides, which makes it the fastest animal in the world relative to its size and the most spectacular running companion on beaches
Nicknamed the poor man's greyhound in Victorian England, the Whippet was the racing dog of northern workers who organized races in fields on Sundays, a sporting travel tradition that endures
The Whippet spends an average of 18 hours per day sleeping, which paradoxically makes it the most restful travel dog in accommodation despite its sprinter reputation
Questions frequentes
Does the Whippet need a lot of exercise while traveling?
Contrary to misconceptions, the Whippet doesn't need hours of exercise. Two 15 to 20 minute free running sessions per day suffice to fully satisfy it. The rest of the time, it behaves like a luxury cat, sleeping on the best available cushion. This particularity makes it an excellent companion for travelers who alternate cultural visits and sports breaks.
How to protect a Whippet from cold while traveling?
Build a complete canine wardrobe: waterproof coat for rain, down jacket for low temperatures, fleece sweater for cool interiors and pajamas for night. The Whippet begins to shiver from 12 degrees and genuinely suffers below 8 degrees. In autumn and winter, never take it out without thermal protection. Plan an additional blanket to cover its cushion in accommodation.
Can the Whippet be unleashed on walks?
The Whippet should only be unleashed in fully fenced spaces far from roads. Its pursuit instinct makes it deaf to recall when it spots a rabbit, cat or even a plastic bag carried by wind. Its speed of 56 km/h puts it out of reach in seconds. Closed beaches or fenced parks are the only safe release locations for a Whippet.
Is the Whippet compatible with motorhome travel?
The motorhome is an excellent travel mode for the Whippet. The heated interior space and comfortable sofa correspond perfectly to its comfort needs. Its medium size and natural cleanliness make it easy to live with in restricted space. Plan an insulating mat for stops where it might lie on the vehicle's cold floor. Stops with large fenced spaces to run will be its favorite moments.
Is the Whippet suitable for beach vacations?
The beach is probably the Whippet's favorite destination. Long stretches of flat sand allow it to sprint at full speed in a secure environment without roads or fencing needed. Its thin skin requires sun protection on depigmented areas of belly and muzzle. Avoid hottest hours and rinse it with fresh water after swimming because its delicate skin is sensitive to salt.
