Why a Whippet Dog: Humor as Medicine

by Kristy Helgason
(Kelowna, BC, Canada)

The whippet breed tends to come with a few quirky behaviors like their "dead cockroach" position. On their backs with back legs flopped to the sides, one front leg in the air and the other one bent to the chest.

All these contortions with the belly exposed for a good rub, of course! I have never know a dog to do this behavior but we call it "swimming" when our pup lies on the couch then stretches out and drags the blankets on the back of the couch to the floor as the completion of this 'game'.

I have found that my handsome whippet draws out the silliness and light-heartedness from our family as we sing to him to get him to jump up and dance, wrestle a bit and get bombarded with licks and snuggle up in a blanket on the couch together.

Oh, the joy and laughter this breed of dog brings!!