Whippet Triumph at Crufts
In the past few hours, my phone has been buzzing like a Kardashian’s after the release of a new scandal. I can assure you that the same excitement is likely shared by Jennifer Saunders, Alex James, Evan Davies, and Emily Maitlis. The reason? A whippet has claimed victory at Crufts, and as dedicated whippet owners, we are reveling in our well-deserved moment of glory. If you listen closely, you might hear our understated yet palpable joy, as graceful as our beloved dogs.
Meet Miuccia, a stunning four-year-old Venetian fawn adorned with striking black stripes and a charming white muzzle and socks. She triumphed over more than 18,000 contenders to earn the prestigious title of top dog. Personally, I see this as a validation of my ongoing campaign to persuade the Duke of Richmond to feature the whippet as the star breed at his annual Goodwoof Festival. Perhaps this win will finally sway him to recognize their magnificence.
Whippets, quite simply, are the epitome of canine excellence: breathtakingly beautiful, unfathomably affectionate, and noble in their gait. They strike the perfect balance—neither too large nor too small, never drooling, and devoid of any troublesome quirks. With exercise needs confined to two invigorating bursts, they are content to curl up and nap on a luxurious velvet blanket. Furthermore, they boast a natural ability to groom themselves, making them hypoallergenic, unlike those engineered ‘doodle hybrids’ that require constant maintenance.
In my twenties, I had the pleasure of caring for a greyhound, igniting my fascination with sight hounds. This eventually led to dreams of owning a blue whippet, inspired by the elegance of Audrey Hepburn’s fawn. At 47, I finally achieved the financial stability and relationship with my partner, Terence, that made this dream a reality. That week, our friends shared pictures of their blue-whippet puppies, and I knew my fantasy could soon become my everyday reality. Since then, I have been utterly devoted to Pimlico the whippet, the love of my life and the queen of our south London home. We are, in every sense, her loyal subjects.
Whippet Devotion: A Special Bond
The true allure of whippets was perfectly captured by Miuccia’s handler, who remarked, “She always wants to be super close to me.” There’s dog devotion, and then there’s the unique bond shared with a whippet. Pim’s father was affectionately dubbed his owner’s “silver shadow.” Renowned critic Brian Sewell chronicled his life with a series of whippets or near-whippets in his autobiography, Sleeping with Dogs. While he may have experienced passionate encounters with many admirers, it was his beloved hounds that shared his bed.
Pim not only sleeps with us; she insists on positioning herself between us, effectively blocking any affection that might be directed toward one another. Her jealousy is so acute that she can detect the slightest hint of eye contact, racing from other rooms to leap between us. While she may belong to me, she is truly Terence’s wife, gazing up at him with unwavering adoration; “Terence” is, without a doubt, her favorite name. I can pinpoint the last time Terence and I shared an intimate moment, as it invariably coincides with one of our fur babies leaving the house. Our obsession with her is so pronounced that we have come to accept her high-maintenance lifestyle (including her cherished velvet blanket and the need for mobile swaddling when we’re on the go; she simply cannot be expected to lie on the floor).
Regardless of the level of obsession, I can confidently say that no whippet owner is immune to this enchantment. Broadcaster Evan Davies, proud owner of Mr. Whippy, expresses his admiration: “Whippets are the good-looking, athletic dogs. They might not be the brightest in the class—perhaps akin to the handsome team captain you wouldn’t want your daughter to marry. However, the beauty of whippets lies in their gentle and caring nature. Though they may be emotionally needy, they are incredibly easy to please.” They simply demand your presence—no questions asked.
Art dealer Philip Mould, who shares his life with whippets Cedric and Bunny, concurs: “The whippet is no ordinary breed. I discovered my love for them later in life after growing up with portly Labradors. It required a shift in my perception of beauty from the baroque to the rococo. I could never go back. They are playful, unpredictable, tender without being clingy, and while they love their beauty sleep, they can spring into a breathtaking 34-mile-an-hour sprint at the drop of a hat. Their elongated heads and expressive mouths amplify their subtle smiles, and their ears convey emotions that words cannot capture. Whenever they appear on our TV show, Fake or Fortune?, they generate an overwhelmingly positive response on social media. In our gallery, their presence enhances the ambiance next to any artwork.
It’s not just their devoted owners; the world at large seems to bow before the charm of whippets. They have graced the covers of several national newspapers, and people often stop their cars just to ask, “Is that Pimlico Betts-Derbyshire?” Children eagerly compete to create artistic representations of her. As I glance at her while typing, I notice a lipstick kiss on her head—an affectionate mark that isn’t mine.
