Despite their gentle nature, what instinct demands that introductions between Whippets and smaller non-canine pets be handled with extreme caution?
Answer
Deep-seated prey drive
Although Whippets are known for being gentle, placid, and affectionate companions indoors, their ancestry as sighthounds bred for hunting quarry remains a powerful instinctual driver. This characteristic is termed their deep-seated prey drive. Because of this inherent urge to chase anything that moves quickly, extreme caution is necessary when introducing them to smaller pets that might resemble prey animals, such as cats or rabbits. Successful integration usually requires careful socialization starting when the Whippet is very young.

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