CHAPTER X 



THE WHIPPET 



The Whippet, Race or Snap dog, although of hound- 

 like conformation, will not by many be regarded as 

 a typical variety of hound; nevertheless a work of 

 this description would, in the author's opinion, be 

 incomplete without a brief reference to the Whippet, 

 which is used to some extent for rabbit- coursing but 

 principally for racing on a track. The chief patrons 

 of the breed appear to be of the artisan class, and I 

 think it is an indisputable fact that these little race 

 dogs are in the greatest demand in mining districts, 

 particularly amongst colliers, who are especially fond 

 of the sport afforded by these dogs. 



The Whippet has become a well-established breed 

 and reproduces true to type. It was originally pro- 

 duced by crossing a Terrier with a Greyhound, to- 

 gether with the introduction of Italian Greyhound 

 blood, and even in the present time some Whippet 

 owners have occasional resort to the Terrier as an 

 out cross in order to re-establish constitutional vigour 

 and pluck, an effect that when judiciously employed 

 is advantageous, as a sound constitution is an 



essential feature of the breed. The term " Snap " 



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