| Species | Dog |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Size Category | Medium |
| Weight Range | 11–18 kg |
|---|---|
| Height Range | 44–56 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Juvenile Stage Ends | 12 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 10 years |
| Exercise Needs | High |
|---|---|
| Grooming | Low |
| Annual Exam Focus | Weight and body condition evaluation; Dental health assessment; Cardiac auscultation; Eye exam |
| Routine Care | Senior Whippets are prone to arthritis, mitral valve disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and kidney/thyroid issues. Regular vet checks, joint supplements, and weight management are crucial. |
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitral Valve Disease | Senior | High | No | N/A |
| Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus | Adult | High | No | N/A |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Senior | High | No | N/A |
| Deafness | Adult | High | Yes | Recommended |
| Hip Dysplasia | Adult | High | Yes | Recommended |
| Autoimmune Thyroiditis | Adult | High | Yes | Recommended |
| Risk Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Ideal BCS | 4/9 |
| Visual Cues | Ribs easily palpable with slight fat covering; waist is discernible viewed from above but is not prominent; abdominal tuck visible from side |
| Daily Activity | 60 minutes |
| Caloric Notes | {"daily_kcal_per_kg": 60, "RER_factor": 70, "activity_multiplier": 1.6} |
| Litter Size | 4–8 |
|---|---|
| Dystocia Risk | Low |
| CHIC Required Tests | Eye Examination; Cardiac Evaluation; BAER Testing |
| Recommended DNA Tests | Thyroid testing; Myostatin Deficiency Test; Hip Dysplasia |
| Neonatal Weight | 200–400 g |
|---|---|
| Growth Notes | Sighthound: monitor for joint laxity and ensure proper socialization to prevent anxiety. |
| Vaccine/Health Schedule | {"start_weeks": 6, "series_count": 4, "core_vaccines": "CDV; CPV-2; CAV-2; Rabies", "socialization_end_weeks": 14} |
| Anxiety Proneness | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Top Triggers | Separation/being left alone; Harsh corrections/raised voices; Lack of stimulation/boredom; Cold weather/discomfort |
| Separation Anxiety Risk | High |
| Calming Interventions | Alone-time training; Crate training; Puzzle toys/snuffle mats; Desensitization; Positive reinforcement |
| Enrichment Needs | Moderate |
| Cognitive Dysfunction Risk | Moderate |
| Sociability Score | 4/10 |
| Locomotion | Double suspension gallop; Explosive sprinting; Trotting; Jumping/climbing |
|---|---|
| Social | Leaning against owner; Touching owner when sleeping; Play solicitation; Gentle greeting |
| Comfort | Stretching out; Seeking warmth; Sleeping touching owner; Resting after sprints |
| Stress/Displacement | Separation anxiety behaviors; Retreating/avoidance; Shivering/trembling; Pacing |
| Breed-Specific | High prey drive/chasing; Sight-driven coursing; Snap-dog behavior (snapping up prey) |
| Types | Bark (alert); Whine; Growl (play); Talking/Chattering |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 500-2000 |
| Tendency | Low |
| Primary Modality | Primarily Body Language |
| Tail/Body Signals | Naturally low carriage = relaxed; Tucked between legs = fearful/stressed; Wagging = excitement/arousal; Stiff/high = alert |
| Top Problems | Separation anxiety; Destructive chewing; Leash reactivity; Excessive greeting disorder; Fear-based avoidance |
|---|---|
| Medical Etiology | Sudden aggression (pain/arthritis); Lethargy/behavioral changes (hypothyroidism); House soiling (UTI) |
| Fear/Anxiety Etiology | Separation anxiety; Noise phobia; Stranger avoidance/fear-based reactivity |
| Frustration Etiology | Destructive chewing (under-stimulation); Excessive barking (boredom); Barrier frustration/leash reactivity |
| Learned Behavior | Excessive greeting disorder (jumping on people); Demand barking; Attention-seeking whining |
| Cognitive Dysfunction | Night waking/vocalization; Disorientation; Loss of house training; Reduced social interaction |
| AI-Trainable Signals | Tail position/movement; Ear orientation (forward vs flattened); Body posture tension; Vocalization pitch changes; Facial muscle tension |
|---|---|
| Context-Dependent Vocalizations | Short bark at door = alert vs short bark during play = excitement; Low growl with toy = play vs low growl with stiff body = warning |
| Interspecies Communication | Develops unique vocalizations for owner attention; Uses gaze alternation to direct attention; Modifies bark pitch based on urgency |