He is extraordinarily keen when racing or on game, though in the living room he is quiet, dignified, unobtrusive and above all, highly decorative. His intelligence, when treated as a member of the family, compares favourably with most terriers. He is never snappy or "barky" though as a watchdog he is excellent. Contrary to external appearances, he is by no means delicate and difficult to care for. All in all, he makes an ideal dual purpose small dog for an owner of discrimination.

As a breed the Whippet is not one of our oldest, having been evolved in England a hundred and some years ago, though it was not until 1891 that official recognition was given by the English Kennel Club.

It is said that when such barbaric pastimes as bull and bearbaiting and dogfighting began to lose favour, the sporting gentry of that period originated the Whippet for the milder (to them) entertainment of coursing rabbits in an enclosure. The earlier specimens differed a great deal from our best present day dogs. These were crosses of small English Greyhounds and various terriers, both smooth and rough coated. It was not until a much later date that fanciers added an infusion of Italian Greyhound blood which aided so materially in improving type.

Whippets appear first to have been brought to North America by English mill operatives of Masachusetts. Lawrence and Lowell, for many years, were the centre of Whippet racing in America.

From the standpoint of the fancier, Whippets make an ideal exhibition dog. With their small size (around twenty pounds) and smooth coat they are neither difficult to transport nor keep in condition. Their quiet deportment in the ring makes them comparatively easy to show, as is attested by the winnings of numerous novices who handle their own entries.