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CHAPTER XXXIV. 



THE WHIPPET. 



THE Whippet, or Snap Dog, as it is termed in several of the northern districts of the country, 

 may scarcely be said to lay special claim to be considered a sporting dog, except in those 

 parts of the country where it is most appreciated. The Whippet is essentially a local dog, 

 and the breed is little valued beyond the limits of the northern counties. In these, however, 

 this dog is held in high respect, and its merits as a provider of the means of sport are highly 

 esteemed. 



Unfortunately for the dog, the uses to which he is often placed have, naturally enough! 

 done much to injure his reputation in the sight of many who would otherwise have regarded 

 him with a favourable eye. So many scandals have arisen from time to time in connection with 

 the quasi-sport of rabbit-coursing, that many who would otherwise have felt disposed to do 

 their best to elevate the breed in popular estimation have reluctantly been compelled to dis- 

 continue their efforts on its behalf, on account of the unpleasant treatment they received from 

 other admirers of the dog. 



The special claims which the Whippet possesses to be classed in the present instance as 

 a sporting dog are its strong structural resemblance to the modern Greyhound, and its association 

 with rabbit-coursing and dog-racing. The latter, illegitimate sports though they may appear to the 

 mind of a sportsman unacquainted with the localities where they are so eagerly pursued, cannot 

 be disregarded when an unprejudiced view has to be taken of what constitutes sport in the 

 minds of many of our fellow-countrymen. In answer to any doubts that might arise on the 

 subject, the only reply that can be made with safety would be a visit to those districts where 

 the inhabitants patronise rabbit-coursing, which visit, we believe, would convince the most sceptical 

 opponent of the institution that at all events, when honestly carried out, the recreation may 

 legitimately be described as sport. 



The Whippet is undoubtedly a cross-bred dog which has been brought into existence to 

 meet the exigencies of the sport with which it is associated. As will be seen from the remarks 

 of Mr. Raper, later on, it is supposed that in days gone by the English Terrier pure and simple 

 was good enough for what was wanted ; but as time advanced a faster dog was required for 

 carrying out what was required of him. Undoubtedly the Greyhound was selected for the 

 purpose of improving the strain of rabbit-coursers then in existence ; and with good results, as 

 improved records most plainly testify. The sport of rabbit-coursing has of later years given way 

 to dog-racing, where no rabbits are required, the struggle for supremacy lying in the fleetness 

 of the competitors ; and an element of cruelty has thus been undoubtedly avoided. However, we 

 will proceed to give some notes upon the subject kindly afforded us by Mr. George Raper, of 

 Stockton-on-Tees, which, as the writer is practically acquainted with the subject, will no doubt 

 be of interest. 



Mr. Raper says : " Rabbit-coursing, once so popular a sport, has gradually waned. Some 



