Whippets are gaining popularity in the UK, but dog trainer Will Atherton has warned that the breed can be 'incredibly over-sensitive,' potentially leading to behavioural issues if not properly trained. Atherton, who described Whippets as 'lovely sweetheart dogs,' noted that the one at his facility was there due to 'problem behaviour stemming from that exact thing.'
According to the PDSA, Whippets require a good run around but will then happily curl up on the sofa for the rest of the day. The animal experts caution that training a Whippet can take time, and early socialisation is essential as they can be shy when meeting new people.
The PDSA also warns that Whippets may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone, potentially leading to destructive behaviour. They recommend that Whippets are best suited to homes with older children who understand when to give the dog space.
In response to Atherton's comments on TikTok, some owners defended the breed, with one saying their Whippet was 'the BEST dog I've ever had' and another noting that 'the majority of problems with the breed is the owners that cause the problems.'
