Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)
    The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)
    The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)
    Ebook101 pages1 hour

    The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)

    By Read Books Ltd.

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    The Whippet - A Dog Anthology gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from each of the following books, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. All of the original photos and illustrations are also reproduced. Contains Chapters From: THE ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF THE DOG By Vero Shaw - This rare and desirable work was first published in parts over the years 1879 - 1881 and thoroughly described every aspect of over sixty breeds of dogs. Vero Shaw was a leading authority and editor of dog books and periodicals in the late nineteenth century, but this particular comprehensive work stands as a final testimony to his immense knowledge of the subject. Each breed was discussed in detail. Their physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. This classic work strongly influenced the direction of dog breeding in its time and for decades after. Also, THE DOG BOOK By James Watson - First published in London, 1906, in two volumes and limited numbers. Now a rare and much sought after work. Its full title is "A Popular History of the Dog, with Practical Information as to Care and Management of House, Kennel, and Exhibition Dogs; and Descriptions of All the Important Breeds. In Ten Parts." The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era. James Watson was a renowned authority on all dog breeds and his knowledge is imparted in great detail throughout this famous book. Also, BRITISH DOGS - THE VARIOUS BREEDS. THE POINTS, SELECTION, SPECIAL TRAINING & MANAGEMENT, AND SHOW PREPARATION By W. D. Drury with contributions from numerous authorities. Originally published in two volumes in 1888, but a new edition of 1903 encompassed both volumes. It discusses in great detail over sixty dog breeds with many photographs and other illustrations. The chapters are penned by experts on the particular breeds and this book is now considered one of the finest reference works in the English language. Also, A HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE MODERN DOGS (SPORTING DIVISION) OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND -The author of these three titles was Rawdon B. Lee. He was well known as the editor of "The Field," and also author of the histories of "The Fox Terrier," "The Collie," and other important dog books. The three volumes were devoted to every breed of dog found in Great Britain and Ireland. Every aspect of their history, breeding and management is discussed in great detail. A particular feature of these books were the numerous detailed full page drawings by the famous dog artist Arthur Wardle, which are reproduced here in fine detail.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateMar 24, 2011
    ISBN9781446546796
    The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)

    Related to The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)

    Related ebooks

    Dogs For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Rise Of The Cockerpoo

      Jun 20, 2019

      ACCORDING to the Kennel Club’s annual registration figures, the French bulldog is now Britain’s most popular breed of pedigree dog, narrowly pushing the labrador into second place. No doubt M Macron will be pleased at this rare Gallic success, but it

      3 min read

    • Article

      Doggy Running

      Jun 22, 2018

      As lovers of the outdoors and wildlife, it’s only natural that most trail runners also have a soft spot for dogs… It’s not surprising that the term ‘trail dog’ often crops up in casual trail running discussions these days. In fact (if Instagram posts

      5 min read

    • Article

      Hormones May Contribute to ‘Leash Aggression’ in Dogs

      Oct 3, 2017

      Hormones may be partly to blame for dogs’ “leash aggression,” new research suggests. Dogs with what is known as “leash aggression” may bark, growl, or lunge at other dogs during walks, setting the scene for a tense and potentially dangerous interacti

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Case For Raw Pet Food

      Nov 27, 2020

      The Case For Raw Pet Food
      11 min read

    • Article

      Positive Reinforcement

      May 20, 2020

      Positive Reinforcement
      1 min read

    • Article

      How Beagles and Goldens Could Help Researchers Find the Next Cancer Therapy for Humans

      Oct 4, 2017

      Veterinarians are conducting rigorous clinical trials of new treatments with the hope they might eventually benefit humans as well as the family pet.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Time’s Up For Terriers

      Jun 23, 2021

      Time’s Up For Terriers
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Commando Whisperer

      Jun 18, 2019

      The Commando Whisperer
      16 min read

    • Article

      Eq Medical Front

      Aug 8, 2022

      Eq Medical Front
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Canine Cops

      Mar 27, 2021

      The Canine Cops
      2 min read

    • Article

      Character Building

      Jul 5, 2022

      Character Building
      4 min read

    • Article

      Dogs For Defense

      Jun 18, 2019

      Dogs For Defense
      13 min read

    • Article

      Leave It To The Professionals?

      May 12, 2021

      Leave It To The Professionals?
      5 min read

    • Article

      To Force The Issue–or Not

      Sep 1, 2019

      To Force The Issue–or Not
      4 min read

    • Article

      Only Street Dogs Are Real Dogs: Purebreds don’t satisfy the biological definition of a species.

      Oct 20, 2016

      What is a dog? Many people often think of dogs as kennel club creations. The purebred dog is man’s best friend, not the street dog. Man’s best friends live ubiquitously in the United States, Europe, and other developed countries and, in these countri

      9 min read

    • Article

      Take Pride And Groom

      May 16, 2019

      Take Pride And Groom
      3 min read

    • Article

      Hands On

      Mar 23, 2021

      Hands On
      3 min read

    • Article

      Tackling Skin Bumps

      Aug 4, 2017

      Tackling Skin Bumps
      1 min read

    • Article

      Feline Valentine

      Dec 7, 2022

      Feline Valentine
      1 min read

    Reviews for The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic)

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Whippet - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic) - Read Books Ltd.

      THE WHIPPET.

      WITH, I believe few exceptions, the whippet or snap dog has not been included as a distinct variety in any book on English dogs. Still, it is now, and has been for some time, quite a breed of itself, and amongst the colliers and other working men in the north of England, including Lancashire and Yorkshire, none is so popular or provides so much amusement.

      Originally the whippet was a small dog—a cross between the Italian greyhound and some terrier or other, partaking in general appearance more of the greyhound cross than of the terrier. Thus, in many parts of the north, the dog is still called an Hitalian, the local pronunciation of the name of that country from which it is supposed the fragile toy dog first came. He is likewise known as a running dog, the reason for which will be obvious.

      The whippet in perfection is a miniature grey-hound, built on the lines of a Fullerton or of a Bab at the Bowster, but smaller in size. It is kept specially for running races and for coursing rabbits on enclosed grounds arranged for the purpose, and for which it undergoes a course of training suitable to the circumstances. Both coursing and running matches may be considered the popular pastime amongst a very large class in the mining and manufacturing districts northwards, in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, in Durham, Lancashire, and Yorkshire especially.

      Several attempts have recently been made to extend the popularisation of the whippet, especially so far as its running powers are concerned. The Kennel Club has, for the first time this year (1892), given it an entry in the Stud Book, and classes have been provided for it at several south country shows. The latter had repeatedly appeared in the catalogues at Darlington and elsewhere in the north, but they seldom filled satisfactorily, and as a bench dog I need scarcely say the whippet is not likely to be any greater success than the greyhound. The entries made in the Stud Book are few, and most of the dogs there are minus a leading part of their history—namely, their pedigrees.

      Without taking any pessimistic view of the question, I must confess my disbelief in the success of any scheme to make the whippet a popular animal outside the society in which it is now received. Its surroundings have not, as a rule, been of the highest in the social scale, nor have the rabbit coursing matches and tests of speed always been conducted by its owners in the fairest way possible.

      Various tricks are tried by the unscrupulous to prevent an opponent’s dog winning, and a trainer or his friend has to be a sharp man in his line, to run successfully the gauntlet of all that is placed in his way during a match for money where such dogs compete. And it must be confessed that, notwithstanding the fairness, honesty, and firmness of the owners of the enclosed grounds where dog races and coursing take place, and of the umpires and referees, the general spirit of the sport is not the most wholesome in the world. Of course, these remarks are not applicable to all owners of whippets—many of whom are as honest and good sportsmen as ever owned a dog—but there can be no doubt that the popularity of the variety has been kept back by those black sheep to whom allusion is made.

      As I have said, the whippet ought not to be a big dog, weighing, from 12lb. to say, about 25lb, when in training. However, some of them are much heavier than this, and many of the so-called champion rabbit coursers reach 4olb. in weight or even more. I have known a thoroughbred greyhound take part in one of the big handicaps that are held during the season in the neighbourhood of Manchester and elsewhere. It scarcely remains for me to say that these bigger dogs are the direct cross with the greyhound, and some of them are built on such lines and contain so much greyhound blood, as to be scarcely distinguishable from the original article.

      Such dogs are fast, clever with their teeth, and oftener than not run straight into their rabbit, holding it without a turn, the one that does so winning the trial, irrespective of the capacity it shows for working, turning, or making the points as in coursing hares. The law allowed varies from anything between 30 and 70 yards, and directly the rabbit is dropped the dogs are slipped, the latter being done by a skilful man, specially appointed for the purpose. Handicaps are made according to the weight or height of the dog; in Newcastle-on-Tyne and the surrounding districts, the latter being the custom—the dog being measured from the top of the shoulder blade to the pad of the foot—whilst in Lancashire and Yorkshire handicap by weight is preferred. In all cases a dog has to allow a bitch three yards start. These customs or rules likewise apply to dog racing, as dealt with later on. In some of the more important handicaps, each couple of dogs, as they are drawn together, have to compete the best out of five or even more courses. In minor affairs, one rabbit for each trial is made to suffice.

      Private matches between two dogs are frequently run, and such often enough create as much interest as the handicaps, especially when two cracks are competing. Here the conditions may vary somewhat, the start given the rabbit being specially named, and the number of courses being usually the best of twenty-one, or, perhaps, of thirty-one, a certain time, generally five minutes, being allowed between each trial.

      However, if the whippet is to become generally popular, it will not be by means of an ability to kill rabbits. The dog racing by him will be more likely to find favour with the public. Those who are not connected with the sport will be surprised to find the hold it has obtained amongst the working classes in the north. There are repeatedly from one hundred and fifty to over three hundred such dogs entered at one competition, the trial heats of which, three dogs taking part in each heat, being run as a rule one Saturday, the finals the Saturday following. This day is a half-holiday with the miners and work-people, hence its selection, but other meetings are held on the recognised Bank holidays, and sometimes on Mondays.

      Dogs of all sizes compete in the same stake, they being handicapped according to height or weight, if unknown; otherwise according to their performances, weight, &c., of course, likewise being taken into consideration. The most useful size of the whippet is, probably, a dog scaling about 20lb. or so, and the pace such an one can go for a comparatively short distance is extraordinary, 200

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1