Jump to content

Whippets, is their prey drive a detriment to their working ability?


Recommended Posts

I thought I would re-post as the original post disappeared after site was down, and there was some good replies.

 

I have seen a few whippets and a fair few whippet x’s work and I have noted a few things about them but it may just be the ones I have seen work. I must say what I have seen makes me think twice about having too much whippet blood in a dog as it puts me off. of course it could just be the types I have seen work as ther is a variation in all types.

 

I have noticed that many have an incredible prey drive and eagerness to catch and kill their quarry, almost a terrier like tenacity. This harnessed with an incredible turn of speed can be a dodgy combination in my book. I have also noted from the ones I have seen and even the pictures I have seen on some of the forums they don’t seem to have a soft mouth and most times have killed there rabbit. I am unsure if this is purely down to the fact they find it easier to carry a dead rabbit as they are little dogs or is it the fact that there prey drive and want to catch kill overcomes them?

 

This is no dig at whippets or whippet x’, as I can honestly say they have been some of the most entertaining sport I have watched, maybe not always catching the same amount as a hardier lurcher type, but excellent all the same.

I would really like to see some pics and hear from some of the owners of these pure bred’s and their crosses thoughts on this?

 

Are there any types out there that are more laid back and sensible?

Edited by Sirius
Link to post

  • Replies 73
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Posts

I can't speak of all whippets as i have not worked one before, and don't know that many folk that do. However, i can speak of mine.   My whippet Finn is just over 2 years old, he is about 21.5 / 22

here is a whippet i owend,who had the heart of a lion would smash a ditch in pursuit of a rabbit,the best ferreting dog i have ever seen,if he marked theres rabbits in there,always on top of the bolt,

I like prey drive,I like it a lot. It depends if you are ruled by the heart or the head i guess. I have dogs here that could kill there selfs on any run,I have a dog that can catch 20 rabbits a night

Posted Images

I have had whippets and wjippetxs a long time ,they have all been as keen and driven as anything , I have run them on all sorts of land , some land it was probably stupid to do so ,apart from the usual rips , tears , knocks , sprains etc they have all been remarkably resiliant to injury in fact in 20 odd years I havent had an injury that required a vet .

  • Like 1
Link to post

I have had whippets and wjippetxs a long time ,they have all been as keen and driven as anything , I have run them on all sorts of land , some land it was probably stupid to do so ,apart from the usual rips , tears , knocks , sprains etc they have all been remarkably resiliant to injury in fact in 20 odd years I havent had an injury that required a vet .

 

That is very lucky, 20 years is a long old time when working dogs regularly.

So you would not say the high prey drive coupled with break neck speed is a problem?, and have your dogs have soft mouths or kill rabbits before retrieving?

Edited by Sirius
Link to post

Yes there is no doubt I have had my fair share of luck , it basically means I havent had a dog break any bones , most other injuries are treatable at home , my rabbits usually come back alive , but I confess that I have to pry jaws apart sometimes.

But having said all that , I,v got a mate who has lost 3 whippets in 3 years to injury when working , also I know the nazerene off here considers his whippet a bit accident prone .

I can only comment on my own personal experience though.

Link to post

Yes there is no doubt I have had my fair share of luck , it basically means I havent had a dog break any bones , most other injuries are treatable at home , my rabbits usually come back alive , but I confess that I have to pry jaws apart sometimes.

But having said all that , I,v got a mate who has lost 3 whippets in 3 years to injury when working , also I know the nazerene off here considers his whippet a bit accident prone .

I can only comment on my own personal experience though.

 

It's good to hear some feedback. I have seen the crazy feckers as puppys run into walls knocjk them selves clean out while finding there speed.

That balancing act of speed, hardiness, and importantly good sense has gotta be right, I guess.

Edited by Sirius
Link to post

here is a whippet i owend,who had the heart of a lion would smash a ditch in pursuit of a rabbit,the best ferreting dog i have ever seen,if he marked theres rabbits in there,always on top of the bolt,had brains to burn,wasnt the fastes dog in the world wasnt slow either thou,had a hatred for fox when he came on a foxs scent would follow it like a beagle and accounted for a fair few while hunting with the terriers and teagles,nearly always think of much i miss him when out with the terriers hunting about.great little dogs to have about,he stood at 22tts and was strong.

 

post-32721-076170700 1278185973_thumb.jpg

post-32721-016898300 1278186012_thumb.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to post

here is a whippet i owend,who had the heart of a lion would smash a ditch in pursuit of a rabbit,the best ferreting dog i have ever seen,if he marked theres rabbits in there,always on top of the bolt,had brains to burn,wasnt the fastes dog in the world wasnt slow either thou,had a hatred for fox when he came on a foxs scent would follow it like a beagle and accounted for a fair few while hunting with the terriers and teagles,nearly always think of much i miss him when out with the terriers hunting about.great little dogs to have about,he stood at 22tts and was strong.

 

Nice looking dog, very similar type to one my father has, was he laid back, sensible and would he retrieve rabbits live?

Link to post

I hunt with the nazerene(Ideation)lol on a regular basis and his whippet can be a little accident prone due mainly to his prey drive imo, he had one bad injury but in all fairness that was just bad luck that could've happened to any dog.Most of his injuries have came from wire but his working ability far out-weighs the negatives that his high prey drive brings imo.

Link to post

I like prey drive,I like it a lot. It depends if you are ruled by the heart or the head i guess.

I have dogs here that could kill there selfs on any run,I have a dog that can catch 20 rabbits a night 3 or 4 nights a week and ferret in bettween and never get injured. I prefere to work the exciting ones though.And if i ever breed from the work horse it will be to a fast dog.They only open up if there not entered right?

  • Like 3
Link to post

here is a whippet i owend,who had the heart of a lion would smash a ditch in pursuit of a rabbit,the best ferreting dog i have ever seen,if he marked theres rabbits in there,always on top of the bolt,had brains to burn,wasnt the fastes dog in the world wasnt slow either thou,had a hatred for fox when he came on a foxs scent would follow it like a beagle and accounted for a fair few while hunting with the terriers and teagles,nearly always think of much i miss him when out with the terriers hunting about.great little dogs to have about,he stood at 22tts and was strong.

 

Nice looking dog, very similar type to one my father has, was he laid back, sensible and would he retrieve rabbits live?

he was a laid back dog out of the field but when in the field dog didnt miss a beat allways on his toes,he did retrieive but not alive was a c**t like that but i didnt mind,as for injuries dog had 3 good seasons with me and was never laid up,he hit a dyke one night that i didnt notice at full pelt after a rabbit i thought he was dead dog jumped up and carried on lamping for the rest of the night,he is with a pal now and still didnt get an injury only used for ferreting now.

Link to post

Vixen my Fawn bitch has never killed a rabbit in her life, infact she can be a little too soft mouthed at times. In My opinion it's how you enter a whippet, if you enter them too young they soon realise it's much easier to carry a dead rabbit than one thats still alive. Thats why i only enter whippets when there both mentally and physically mature.

 

vixenpage-8.jpg

 

47196_1615205108422_1485155100_1583468_6709700_n.jpg

 

vixenpage-10.jpg

 

vixenpage-19.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to post

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.


×
×
  • Create New...