Links & Information of Interest:

Image credit to Purina Pro Plan

Product Recommendations:

The Essentials:
• Purina Pro Plan dog foods
We proudly feed Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 Chicken (PURPLE BAG) and Purina Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon with great success. Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 is for all life stages and best for your puppy. We advise feeding puppies 3 times per day, as much as they would like to eat. We mix a spoonful of canned food and a little water with the kibble for all puppies to encourage them if needed. Adults are fed 2 times per day in the same manner. Never cater to your dog if they become picky as this will lead to more trouble later - simply remove the food, make sure that they have had good exercise and then offer it again later. Available at Chewy.com, Amazon.com, Petsmart etc. Purina Pro Plan food is MADE IN USA, has never had recalls, and is not a food that is on the FDA list that is known to cause cardiac issues. Beware of boutique foods that have not been properly studied - anything containing large amounts of lentils / pea protein is a hazard to the health of your dog. Add probiotics as needed to keep a healthy tummy.

• Stella and Chewy Freeze Dried Raw & Kibble
For on the road and to make meals more exciting, we add Stella & Chewy Freeze Dried patties or Meal Mixers to kibble These can be served dry or wet if you add water. Your pup will know what this is and be absolutely thrilled for it! This is also great for training and showing as they go wild for it. If you find that you want another high-end kibble to mix or make priority, Stella and Chewy's also offers kibbles that are HEART SAFE and do NOT contain the dangerous peas, lentils or potato of other brands.

• Vittles Vault Food Container
Keep your kibble FRESH with a Vittles Vault airtight container! Dogs don't like when their food goes stale and you will be less likely to attract bugs if you keep it in this container. The larger size allows you to also keep treat bags in it etc.


 • Vari Kennel Ultra size 36"  
We highly recommend crate training to all of our puppy owners for a happy life for human and hound. If you need advice or help with crate training, we will always be here for you. The Vari Kennel Ultra is our favorite crate as it provides plenty of room, prevents the injury possibilities caused by the folding wire crates and is much more comfortable to rest in. (If specific model is not available, any size 36" airline crate will work.) PEACE of mind is priceless for you, your hound and your home! In an emergency situation, a crate trained dog will be the most calm and safe when they have their crate. Most of our hounds love to go take naps in their crates with the doors open and we feed them their meals while they are in their "den". Your puppy may or may not be destructive to bedding while adjusting to their crate / teething. Do not invest in expensive dog bedding until they are finished teething. A layer of soft towels or inexpensive blankets will do well.

• Pro Select Steel Water Pail
Your puppy will have started life drinking water from this style of water pail in addition to standard bowls. These steel pails are durable and safe to use clipped to the door of their crate (must buy double ended snap clip separately). Although some reading may suggest to remove water, we feel that it is essential for healthy kidney function to have access to water when crated. Your dog will thank you for this pail and enjoy it for life.

• Outdoor Dog Supply ID Name Tag Collars
We have searched for many years to find the ideal collar for our hounds for ID tags - and here it is at an incredible price! These last for lifetimes, are waterproof , light reflective, have the name tag stamped and fastened on so there is no chance of being caught on anything. We are thankful that our puppy owners trust these collars also and buy them for their hounds. Buy size 15" and trim if needed. Please note THIS collar is only for ID purposes - it is NOT to be used to attach a leash for walking.

• Mendota 6Ft soft rope slip lead
These are the best! Buy the 1/2" x 6 ft. They are affordable, come in a variety of colors and keep your hound safe no matter how excited they get on lead.

Your puppy will go home with a safe walking-lead to start with if you do not have one yet.
A buckle or snap collar is used for ID tags only, not for walking.
Choke chains must never be used on whippets as it can damage their throat.
Do not use a flat buckle collar, body Harness or head-halter for walking your Whippet because these are not safe for the breed.
Please be aware that Whippets and all sighthounds need a special collar (Martingale or Slide collar) so that they do not back-out, slip out etc. when they get excited or see a squirrel.

• Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover
Accidents happen. Be prepared and use a cleaning product with enzyme action to help ensure no odor is left behind to confuse your pet during potty training.

GROOMING:
You are blessed to be interested in or getting a Whippet. The only grooming that is essential to the health and well being of your dog is short NAILS and clean TEETH.  Long nails cause joint pain, arthritis and bone fractures so it is essential that you keep the feet of your athlete in good shape. Here is a helpful guide to nail care and products.
Dirty teeth lead to tooth decay and heart disease. Here is a helpful video on how to do basic teeth cleaning.

If you train your dog from youth to allow you to touch his/her paws and clean his/her teeth, you will be able to avoid expensive care that may require sedation which is dangerous to your pet. We will show you how to do these things before you take your new family member home.
NAIL CARE:
Dremel Nail Grinder for Dogs
Nail Clipper with Safety Guard for Dogs
Styptic Powder (QuickStop)
DENTAL CARE:
Dental Tooth Scaler for Dogs
Virbac Oral Hygiene Kit
FLEAS & TICKS & WORMS (Oh My!)
K9 Advantix Flea, Tick & Mosquito Repellent
Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo
Elanco Deworming Tablets (Kills 4 parasite types)

TREATS:

For Chewing / Teething:
Best Bully Sticks
Our favorite chew of choice - fully digestible and helps with crate training or quiet time. Well worth the cost! Also offer your puppy large cold carrots as a healthy snack and teething aid. Please DO NOT offer rawhide or cow hooves as these have proven to be dangerous! (We can tell you some stories if you like!)
 
Please, do not buy treats that are MADE IN CHINA... these have proven very dangerous to your dog.
if you have a membership to Costco, the Kirkland Signature biscuits and other MADE IN USA treats available are wonderful!


CAR SAFETY:
When traveling with your hound, always think safety first. In many accidents, the hound would have been fine had it at least been attached to a seat belt with a leash to prevent escape on to dangerous roads. We highly recommend the following products:

Gunner Kennels
This is the ULTIMATE crate! The only CRASH TESTED dog kennel available. We safely and proudly transport our dogs in Gunner Kennels and highly recommend them. Made in USA.

If a crate in your car for transport is not an option, we suggest at the minimum that your whippet be clipped in with a crash-tested style harness. Remember that a harness is not to be used to walk your whippet as they can easily slip out.
Size MEDIUM adjusts to fit a whippet best. Pair the seatbelt harness with a backseat cover to protect your car from possible puppy spills.
Kurgo Car Safety Impact Harness
Kurgo Enhanced Strength Dog Harness

At the very minimum, please clip the leash handle into the seat belt of your car. This will prevent falling out of a window or open door in daily life or in an accident.


EXERCISE PEN:
Precision Pet Exercise Pen
Any hound from us will have started life enjoying the freedom and safety of being in an exercise pen. If you would simply like a safe designated area for your whippet, we use and highly recommend exercise pens by Precision Pet products. We like the taller sizes, 36" or 48". Do not forget to get the metal snaps to close the pen, and optional LID / TOP  which will give the pen stability to not fall over, peace of mind!

PUPPY GATE:
Puppy/Baby Gate
For front door safety or to guard your kitchen, nothing is better than a baby / puppy gate.  When your hands are full and you need to unload your stuff, this attractive gate will protect you and your hound from any accidental escapes or allow them to express their joy without jumping all over you and your guests.


CANINE FIRST AID KIT:
This is what we keep and use in our first aid kit! Your needs may vary, but this has saved us countless possibly expensive or impossible veterinary visits!
Vetericyn or other wound cleanser, Lidocaine spray or other topical numbing agents, eye wash drops, ear wash, Super glue for quick wound closure, Hydrogen Peroxide (to induce vomiting, never for wounds) self stick vet wrap, paper or fabric bandage tape, gauze pads, surgical tools (curved hemostats, scissors, tweezers, scalpel) styptic powder, Benadryl, and Pepto Bismol tablets or other stomach upset medications. Always consult your veterinarian! Better to be safe than sorry.


SPECIALTY PRODUCTS:
One of the most fun things about owning a Whippet is the fun collars and coats you can buy! These are like clothing for them and there are so many great options out there, but these custom items just for Whippets are generally NOT available in pet stores so you will need to order online from any one of these fine makers:

Whippet Goods - Collars, Leashes by Debbey Bartos

Follow Your Lead - coats, collars, racing jackets:

Taylor Made - Coats and Collars:

Northwind - Whippet Collars, Leads, Coats etc.

Golden Hound Leather collars and leashes:
Whippet size is 11-13"

Sighthound Stuff - Racing and Lure Coursing Supplies:

 Euro Dog Designs  - unique dog apparel and accessories

Nature's Farmacy
Probiotics and other healthy supplements for dogs


Educational:

"What is a Breeder?" Read this so you understand why our puppies are like family to us and why we care so deeply for what happens to them.

"Advice on Crate Training" - Make the process easier. Your puppy will have started crate training with me.

"Crating a dog, why You should stop feeling guilty"

"it's a Puppy, not a problem" - Good article on dealing with puppy antics.

Clubs and Associations:
The American Whippet Club
The American Kennel Club
Southern California Whippet Association
Southern California Lure Coursing
Northern California Whippet Fanciers
American Sighthound Field Association
Borzoi Club of America
Ibizan Hound Club of the United States

Health related:
Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA)
Whippet Health Foundation 


Responsible Breeder Kennels:
Summit Whippets (Whippets & Papillons in Fallbrook, CA)
Elidas Whippets (Whippets & Papillons in Hemet, CA)
Surrey Hill Whippets (Whippets in Florida)
Kanati Whippets & Greyhounds (Whippets & Greyhounds in Australia)
Sporting Fields Kennels (Whippets and Border Collies in Brooksville, FL)
Festiva Whippets (Whippets and Shelties, Atlanta, GA)

Whippet Rescue and Placement:
Whippet Rescue and Placement (WRAP)


Pedigree Databases:
The Whippet Archives- Pedigree Database
The Borzoi Files- Pedigree Database
The Ibizan Hound Breed Archive