This our most popular sighthound breed, was first recognized as a separate breed by the English Kennel Club in 1891, but dogs that resembled today's Whippet have been known under this name for more than half a century in northern England.
There are a few photos (though only from England) from the time shortly after Queen Victoria crowning that shows a couple "Whippet look-alikes" with some Skotch Deerhounds and some people (a hunting party?). No, these are not Greyhound puppies or young dogs, as some thought earlier. Although this breed is among the youngest of sighthound breeds it is documented that there exixted a sighthound of Whippet type and size for more than 600 years. We can see these hounds in tapestries and paintings dating back to the days of the "knights in armor".
We can see that these hounds have been used for hunting and as family dogs. These hounds are seen  pictured together with a small greyhounds type (Italian Greyhound?) and a Spaniel type together with a family (with the lord and lady of the house seated by a large table and children playing on the floor.
On "Wedding picture" painted by Renault de Montauban early in the 15th century, we can see a Whippet type lying in the grass). Then there are also the big "Hunting tapestries" where there are both Greyhound, Whippet and other breeds. Yes, even inside the church we can find our Whippet pictured. See the illustration (left) of the Whippet from "Helligtrekongeralteret" from Cologne. It is painted in 1455-1460 of RogerV.D. Weydeus as well as the small cutout from Maria altar from Elsinore from the bottom of Chr d.II 's robe and a pair of his small sighthounds (the altar piece can now be seen at the National Museum in Copenhagen).
In the Middle Ages and earlier, it was not allowed for ordinary people, if  they lived less than 10 mil

e king's bailiff to have their dogs "registered". If the dogs could not get through a box of a certain size, they had to have this "crippling" operation conducted by an authorized person. (aside from cruelty to animals, the operation was expensive for the owner!). The reason for all this, of course, was that the king would make sure that no other than the king's people could hunt game. The smaller dogs / sighthounds were by definition permissible, and when hares were not classified as valuable wildlife, the smaller Whippet types became popular as they were able to get a roast in the pot. Greyhounds were probably crossed with other breeds in order to maintain their speed and size. While Whippet heretige is very uncertain,one thing is certain - they are from United Kingdom. Whippet have always hunted hares and rabbits with great joy and zeal. They still do it - more or less legally.
With time, workers and small farmers found out that they could make a sport out of rabbit and hare hunting, just as the nobility had their hunting and sport with Greyhound or deer hounds. In northern England, more than 150 years ago, there were competitions to see which Whippet could catch the most rabbits. They crossed the Whippet with terrier, a hunting dog which is an  small game hunter. They also crossed Greyhounds which were too small to meet Greyhound racing standards, and therefore cheap to acquire. In this way they got a sighthound that was really hunting keen, quick and smooth. A "handy" size, eating less than the larger Greyhound. These dogs were used to run after the rabbits as a sport. But these Whippet often injured  the rabbits, and whether it was because people thought it was a bloodbath and unfair against rabbits, or they would not have torn rabbits to dispose of, we can only guess at, but the fact is, in time they found out that "the small race machines" were just as happy to run after a piece of rabbit fur, pulled in front of them. Lure coursing was developed. One can speculate on whether it is from here that the breed's name comes, from when people shouted "Whip it" to the dogs to get them to move quickly and suddenly. There are others who believe that the Whippet owes its name to the English word Whip - signifying the shape of it's tail. (Personally I lean more towards the first theory, as the  Whippet tail is hardly long enough to be compared with the whips being used at that time).
Real racing with Whippet was "invented" in Yorkshire by the working class. At the beginning of the 20th century,the Whippet had its breakthough as  the "common man's" racing dog. It was just as sporty as Greyhound racing, but cheaper to acquire, cheaper in operation, and even an affectionate and loving dog. Racing conditions for Greyhound and Whippet were the same, just a shorter distance for the Whippet than the Greyhound. As people learned to appreciate this wonderful easy dog,  they again tried to cross breed, to limit the size, using the Italian Greyhound among other small dogs. This interbreeding with other races can still pose problems for breeders today..
"Old" Whippet people tell about the old days where there suddenly appeared a wire-haired Whippet up a seemingly ordinary litter. The wire-haired Whippet was for a  short period, offically recognized as a Whippet. Today however, only the smooth haired whippet is considered a "real" Whippet. However, there has now been formed a separate club for a long-haired Whippet type: "The silky Club." These "Silky's" have not yet been approved as a separate race.
Today Whippet can trace their roots back to the English: The Whippet Club, which was founded in 1899 by a small group of "fanatical Whippet supporters" and nowhere is Whippet so popular and loved as it is still in his homeland. In the United States there is a slightly different type of Whippet, larger and more leggy. Actually in the USA they have 2 types of Whippet - both an exhibition Whippet and racing Whippet. The Whippet came to Denmark early in the  last century, but it was only during the period between the two world wars, one learned to really appreciate this beautiful and "easy" family dog, which is even able to provide entertainment by running really fast - in short stretches it can come up to 65 mph and the Whippet loves to run. Whippet can thank his sighthound blood for its beautiful appearance. This little athlete has the typical elegant lines of a Western sighthound although it is a medium size sighthound that has much in common with both the Italian Greyhound and Greyhound, but is not a large Italian Greyhound or a miniature Greyhound. Whippet is entirely his own. When you look at character and behavior of the Whippet, the terrier blood is probably mostly  responsible for its courage, energy, endurance and "joy". It is also the sighthound which is most obedient and best to agility competitions. Statements by various Whippet owners and breeders however, suggest that the Whippet is not much more "obedient / well-behaved" than other sighthounds. Is it their "sighthound background" that makes them to look at us as if we stand and speak Greek to them, whereafter they still go and lie where they have it best? Whippets are real sighthounds. Independent, loving and fun dogs. But although it often is called the "easy" sighthound - it's mind is perhaps one of the least complicated as an adult - so don't misunderstand and think that when you have gotten a Whippet a dog in a convenient size - without coat care, because can manage mostly by itselve - you expect a dog is by your side at all times when you want - a dog you can display as the porcelain figure it looks like - you will be very mistaken. A Whippet is not a dog for everyone (there is no dog that is - but ...). The Whippet, should not be bought just because it is a convenient size dog that is elegant, has a silky coat and little paws that do not make big wet / muddy footprint indoors - and you were actually tired of having dogs constantly be cut & trimmed! One tends to forget that the Whippet is an sighthound with a mindset which is a mixture of cat and dog. As stated before, Whippet is very agile, even indoors during the day. Numerous are the (wonderful) stories told about how cool & checky Whippets  get and/or reach for things they want. Candies from the glass cupboard! Roasts from the oven! Strawberry ice cream from the kitchen table! Shampoo from a suitcase in a hotel room! Etc.., Etc .... Things like a normal dog in the proper size will never, never would  fiddle with. - A common dog in this "practical" size would probably also understand that it is for its own good, you buy a nice bed for the animal with soft cushion. And make it a good place for all (?). But Whippets think there is much nicer in the little armchair or on the heated tile floor in the bathroom. And then we go around and look for it. You always knew where you had your last breed! Despite their porcelain-like appearance - the light Whippet resembles a fine Wedgewood figure  - The Whippet is not as delicate as they look. Their thin, delicate skin may easily be torn, but it also heals reasonably easy. One thing a whippet loves, perhaps as much as running and it is the warmth, and many Whippet enjoy a coat or a jumper when the autumn or winter becomes too harsh. Whippet is one of our most outstanding "diggers". A pillow in a chair can be used. Or a scarf lying around. A sweater, a blanket (or better yet 2!). Everything can be burrow in and under by the Whippet. So your Whippet can lie there and have it warm and nice with closed Whippet-ears, if it suits it! Whippet gets on well with members of their own breed, but also manage well with many other breeds - if their chemistry match , just like  people.
Whippet is a noble, gracious dog whose muscular build indicates a dog built for speed. If you want an intelligent, "sporty" and affectionate dog and understand its spirit & mindset, the Whippet is a most suitable choice.
It's coat is fine, short and close and all colors and combinations are allowed.
Males should measure between 47-51 cm and bitches 44-47 cm. For further description see exterior FCI's Standard 162B.

(Kilder: udover bidrag fra danske og udenlandske Whippetopdrættere og Whippetvenner, har jeg indhentet information & materiale fra: R. Hammerlen’s „Dog & Hound in Antiquity“, Rikke Agnete Olsen’s „Hunden i Historien“, I y E. Schritt’s „Los Lebreles“, Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s „Chiens“, E.G. Walsh and Mary Lowe’s „The English Whippet“)
MHC