Whippet care on Cape Ann

The AKC calls the Whippet's coat short and smooth, needing little beyond a weekly brush, and that is about all the insulation the dog carries. VCA's winter advice suggests a sweater for short-haired breeds, booties or paw wax against de-icing chemicals, and walks of only 5 to 10 minutes when it is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It also warns that frostbite and hypothermia can occur when a pet is wet and exposed to frosty air, which describes a Whippet after a winter run on wet sand.

Watch the dog as well as the thermometer. VCA names shivering and whining as signs of discomfort, and a Whippet that hunches, lifts its feet or turns for home has had enough. A raw wind off the water makes a winter morning feel colder than the number suggests, so carry a fitted coat for the walk home, towel the dog dry before the car and keep cold-weather outings short and brisk. Our answer on how cold is too cold covers the general limits.

The AKC is specific: an adult Whippet should show two to four vertebrae, its hipbones should not sink into dimples of fat, and a dog at a healthy weight will likely look skinny to people used to heavier breeds. Friends may tell you your dog is too thin. Ask your vet instead, and keep portions steady for life, which the AKC says extends a Whippet's life and avoids painful, expensive orthopedic problems. Count training treats as part of the day's food.

Responsible breeders screen for cardiac disease, deafness and eye disorders, the AKC says, so ask for the parents' results. The coat needs only a weekly brush and an occasional bath, $65 at Dogtown for a Whippet of 26 to 50 pounds or $55 for a smaller one. The AKC also asks for regular ear checks and frequent nail trims when the nails are not worn down naturally; nail clipping is $16. A Whippet that limps after a run should see your vet.