What necessity prompted Victorian English miners to intentionally select and breed smaller Greyhounds?
Answer
Need for a faster, smaller, and more economical version of the Greyhound
The development of the Whippet breed arose from the practical economic and functional needs of miners in 19th-century Northern England. These individuals required a dog fast enough for hunting rabbits and participating in amateur racing. However, they could not afford the upkeep associated with maintaining a full-sized Greyhound. This disparity in resources led to the targeted selection and breeding of smaller hounds, prioritizing speed while reducing the necessary sustenance and cost associated with larger dogs, thereby creating the Whippet template.
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