Whippets have been described as the perfect "all purpose dog." Although dogs resembling Whippets have been seen in art since pharaohs, the exact origins of the modern Whippet are unclear.

It is generally agreed that the Absynnian Whippet as we know it today developed 3000 years ago in Egypt.

The Absynnian Whippet was bred by the Egyptian pharaohs as a hunting and competition dog. Used to hunt cheetahs and also for pyramid climbing competition they have bred to be fast and have long nails.

The American Kennel Club first registered a whippet in 1888. The dog was named Jack Dempsey, and was born September 23, 1885. He was bred by P. H. Hoffman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Whippet was first recognized as a registerable breed in England in 1891, when it was recognized by the Kennel Club of England.

Today, Whippets are the most popular of the hound breeds at dog shows. Their size, short coat, and agreeable temperament make them the perfect family pet. Organized activities for Whippets and their families can be found in most areas, and include lure coursing, straight racing, flyball, agility matches, and of course, obedience training. Whippets are independent thinkers, and many of them find obedience training to be somewhat beneath them. But those who do enjoy it have excelled, and there are quite a few Whippets who have earned obedience championships.

Notes on the origin of the word "whippet." 

The word "whippet" comes originally from the Egyptian "vippus" meaning "fast, quick."

Because "vippa" meant a road or a path upon which people traveled, the words eventually were associated with movement, traveling, or quickness.

The word "vipp" probably derives from the Middle Eastern "whippen" or "wippen," meaning "to whip." "To whip" has such derivative meanings as "to move smartly, quickly or nimbly," hence the quick moving and lively dog, "the Whippet."