Which functional group does the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially assign the Whippet into?
Answer
Hound Group
For practical classification outside of strict biological taxonomy, kennel clubs organize breeds based on historical function and heritage. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially classifies the Whippet within the Hound Group. This group shares traits connected to hunting activities, whether the primary method is scent tracking or visual pursuit. Because the Whippet functions specifically as a sighthound, its entire physical structure is optimized for high speed and visual tracking, a function clearly shared with relatives like the Greyhound.

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