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Whippet

by Krista Mifflin
for About.com

The Whippet at a Glance:
Height .............. 18 - 22 inches
Weight .............. 13 - 26 pounds
Colors .............. All colors
Ears ................ Rose ears
Tail ................ Long and whip-like
Coat ................ Short and smooth
Grooming............. Minimal
Temperament ......... Bright, affectionate, energetic, and eager. A Whippet is a great pet but should never be let off-leash in an unsecured environment.
About Sighthounds in General:
Sighthounds are a wonderous class of dogs. Tall, lean, graceful, noble bearing ... and unbelievable vision. Add in an ability to focus their entire being on a moving object, and you get disaster when an unwary handler allows his dog off-leash. In a matter of minutes, your sighthound could be gone from your sight completely, heading who-knows-where, following who-knows-what. It is highly recommended that a sighthound never be allowed off-leash, except in secure, enclosed areas.
Embodying grace and speed, sighthounds rule the racing world today. Nothing is more exhilerating than watching a sighthound run.

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