Greyhound type dogs are one of the oldest breeds. Small greyhound like dogs have existed for centuries and can be seen in artworks of great antiquity.
Above Pictures are taken from The Dog: 5000 Years of the Dog in Art and Italian Greyhounds or Whippets? by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (French rococo painter, 1686-1755).
Whippets originated about 200 years ago in Northern England and Wales. The breed was created by crossing small greyhounds and terriers. They were used for hunting small game for the table and racing. Which is where they acquired their reputation as “the poor man’s race horse.”
Today, whippets are gaining in popularity with their steady temperaments and amazing versatility. Whippets can thrive in most any lifestyle.