Whippet: Your Complete Guide
The whippet is a British dog breed that falls between a full-sized greyhound and the smaller Italian greyhound. For people who love these breeds but prefer something a little more mid-sized, you can’t go wrong with the whippet. Whippets are known for their calm temperament, intelligence, loyalty, and ability to hit the ground running if you want to play or exercise with them. This makes the whippet a great breed for people who like to stay active by going on long walks, hikes, or even lengthy runs.
That said, it’s important to learn more about the whippet breed before you consider adopting. It’s important to know their history, how to care for them, and what potential health problems they may face as they grow older. Furthermore, having an understanding of their temperament and activity level can help you determine if they’re the right fit for your home.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about whippets. We cover everything you need to know.
Quick Look at the Whippet
Below is a quick glance at the whippet in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 17-20 inches, 15-42 pounds |
| Coat Type | Fine, dense, short |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Affectionate, intelligent, friendly, gentle, quiet |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
What Is the History of Whippets?
The whippet is a hound breed that came to be in the 19th century. These dogs were bred to help with hunting and were most often used to hunt rabbits and other small game. Due to the prey they were hunting, whippets were often silent hunters. Based on the information available, it’s assumed that the whippet came to be due to breeding between terriers and small British greyhounds. The result is the whippet that we have today, which is a smaller greyhound with many of the similar traits.
In more recent history, whippets have been popular in dog shows and even races. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888 and first arrived in the United States shortly after. Most of their ancestors came to Massachusetts from England, which is why Massachusetts continues to be a popular breeding spot for them.
Whippets have also won several competitions. They won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1964 and have participated in races around the world. While they’re not the most popular breed, the whippet does continue to get recognition, and they’re the 55th most popular dog breed according to the American Kennel Club.
What Do Whippets Look Like?
Whippets look like greyhounds, so similar to British and Italian greyhounds. While they share many of the same traits, they are smaller than British greyhounds but slightly larger than Italian greyhounds. For this reason, they’re often medium-sized dogs that weigh 20-40 pounds. Females and males tend to look the same, so don’t worry too much about slight differences based on gender.
When it comes to their facial structure, you’ll find that whippets have long snouts and ears that protrude out from their height. They’re pointy, but almost sideways, instead of standing up straight like a German shepherd.
Their bodies tend to be lanky, and their coats are short and straight. When it comes to their coat’s color, it can vary based on the parents. Whippets have been seen with fawn, red, cream, tan, silver, blue, and black coats. Additionally, some whippets have multiple colors in their coats. Shades of white can also be found in their coats as well.
What Size Is a Whippet?
Whippets are medium-sized dogs. Females are smaller than their male counterparts but expect a whippet to weigh 15-40 pounds. As for their height, whippets can stand at around 18-20 inches at the shoulder. Size can vary based on the parents, so if you’re purchasing a whippet, check to see if information is available.
What Is a Whippet’s Coat Type and Length?
Whippets have short coats that hug their body. Their coats are dense, and they don’t shed often, but their coat is hypoallergenic. Typically, their coat is straight and short, but it can get longer and scraggly if you don’t groom them often. Their coat is dense, though it may be thin in some areas, so skin irritations can occur.
What Is a Whippet’s Temperament?
Whippets are known for being gentle, kind, and affectionate. These dogs bond with their owners, and they display loyalty that’s on par with golden retrievers and labrador retrievers. You’ll also find that whippets are calm and easy to train if you put the time in.
To bring the best traits out of your whippet, it’s important to socialize them at an early age. Have them around family members and other pets often, and consider bringing them to dog parks as well.
Are Whippets Good With Kids?
Whippets are great with kids. They’re known for being gentle and lacking aggression, so you don’t have to worry about them harming children. That said, you always have to watch your whippet when they play with children. While they’re gentle and kind, that doesn’t mean that accidents can’t happen.
Are Whippets Good With Other Animals?
Whippets are good with other animals. You shouldn’t have to worry about them harming other pets in your house. That said, they were originally bred as hunting dogs, so they might chase after other animals sometimes if you don’t train them properly. Socialization from a young age and positive reinforcement training will go a long way to correct these issues as they get older.
Are Whippets Aggressive?
Whippets are not an aggressive breed, so you don’t usually have to worry about them going after strangers or even members of the family. If you do notice any signs of aggression, you can always socialize and work on training them to prevent these problems from becoming permanent.
Do Whippets Bark?
Like other dogs, whippets like to bark sometimes. When they see something they don’t like, they may want to talk about it, so expect some noise. Their bark can be loud, so if you don’t train them properly, you should avoid keeping them in apartment buildings with others. That said, their barking is an easy habit to correct because they used to be bred as silent hunting dogs. Therefore, you shouldn’t have to focus too much on correcting this issue.
Are Whippets Affectionate?
Whippets are one of the more affectionate breeds you’ll come across. These dogs love to compete and run, but they’re just as likely to prefer a night cuddled up with you on the couch. Whippets also love to connect and bond with their owners, so it’s a good idea to include them in family and playtime.
While whippets are affectionate, loving, and kind, they can display separation anxiety if you leave them alone for long periods. Therefore, make sure you have enough time to spend with them before you adopt.
Are Whippets Intelligent?
Whippets are smart dogs, but their intelligence falls short compared to some other breeds. This is because it may take them a long time to learn complex commands or even recognize commands. That said, they do have a high capacity to learn and understand all types of training, but getting started can take time.
Whippets can also be curious and clever, so make sure you dog-proof your property to prevent them from escaping and taking off running.
Are Whippets Energetic?
Whippets aren’t the most energetic dog breed, but they do need exercise. These dogs love to run, walk, hike, explore, and play, so make sure you have enough time to help them do these things.
Once they reach adulthood, make sure you help them get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. You can accomplish this through running, walking, playing, or a combination of all three. Giving them time outdoors to explore and relax can also be beneficial.
Are Whippets Easy to Train?
Whippets are smart dogs, but they might be slow to learn new things. You have to spend some time with them teaching them new tricks, and we recommend starting at a young age so you can form a bond. While they’re slow to learn, whippets do have the capacity to be trainable and smart dogs. We recommend starting with a basic obedience training routine before moving on to something more complex. This can help you teach them the fundamentals and build a training foundation you can expand on.
As running dogs, whippets also have the capacity to walk and run with you. This can be done on or off their leash, so you can train them for how you plan on running. That said, it’s a good idea to start with walking to help your dog match your pace. It’s also important to train your dog with positive reinforcement instead of yelling or being harsh; all dogs tend to learn better that way.
Are Whippets Good Watchdogs?
Whippets can be good watchdogs, but that’s not really what they’re bred for. They can bark and alert you to strangers, and they’re brave enough to protect you but don’t expect them to be deterrents. Their appearance isn’t the scariest, and their bark isn’t the fiercest, so we recommend adopting a different breed if you’re looking for a watchdog.
Are Whippets Good Service Dogs?
Whippets aren’t usually found in service dog roles. While they’re large enough to perform physical tasks, they’re slow learners and may not take to service dog training early enough to become effective at it. That said, this depends on the dog’s personality and the needs of the individual.
For example, most whippets can make it through psychiatric service dog training without any problems because the tasks can sometimes be less complex. Whippets can also make great emotional support dogs (ESD) or therapy dogs.
How to Care for a Whippet?
Caring for a whippet isn’t hard if you understand their personality, health, and grooming needs. The most important part of caring for a whippet is to ensure that you include them in everything you can. They love to be a part of the family, and they’ll join you for a long run before cuddling up with you at night.
It’s also a good idea to play with them often and keep them engaged, which can help keep their nails at a healthy length. Ensuring that they eat a proper diet with the right nutrition if you’re working out together is also essential.
Do You Need to Groom a Whippet?
Yes, you need to groom your whippet. While these dogs have short, dense coats, you need to brush them daily and have them groomed every six to eight weeks. When you have a whippet groomed, you want to have them bathe your dog, clean their ears, brush their teeth, and even check their anal glands. The goal is to ensure that their hair and skin are in good condition. You can also bathe a whippet yourself if you have the right supplies.
Do Whippets Shed?
Whippets shed an average amount. You’ll find that they don’t shed more or less than most breeds. However, due to their short coat, you might not notice their hair collecting on furniture or on the floor. This can become problematic if you have allergies because their coat is not hypoallergenic. Thankfully, you can brush them to prevent this problem, and they only have a single coat, so you don’t have to worry about more shedding during seasonal changes.
What Health Problems Do Whippets Have?
Whippets don’t usually have health problems, and they’re known to be a healthy breed. Unfortunately, they can be delicate if you don’t care for them properly. Some minor health problems you may come across include skin and bone problems due to uneven or dangerous terrain. While whippets love to run, they may run through thorns, sharp branches, or other hazards that can cut their skin due to their short hair. Additionally, uneven terrain can lead to stress fractures and more severe breaks if left untreated.
Aside from minor health issues, there are also some genetic health problems that can occur. To avoid these issues, your best bet is to make sure the parents are screened if you’re purchasing a whippet puppy. If you adopt through a reputable agency, you can speak with them to see if they know anything.
Health problems to watch out for include:
- Eye problems
- Skin irritations
- Mitral valve disease; heart problems that develop due to a weakened valve
- Immune system problems
To avoid health issues or to prevent them from getting worse, you can take your whippet to the vet annually and avoid walking or running in harsh terrain. Also, their hips can become vulnerable to pain and damage in old age, so ease up on the activity level once they reach this point.
How Long Do Whippets Live?
Whippets live a longer life than full-sized greyhounds, but they don’t live forever. Expect a whippet with no pre-existing conditions to live for around 12 to 14 years. There are extremes on both sides, so don’t be shocked if your whippet wants to hang around for a few more years!
What Should a Whippet Eat?
Whippets should eat a healthy and balanced diet for medium-sized dogs. If you’re not adopting a whippet for intense bouts of exercise, you can be more lenient with their diet and feed them around two times per day with a mix of kibble and wet food to promote good hydration. However, if you plan on being active with your whippet, you’re better off feeding them 3-4 times per day and following a diet that’s better for active dogs. You may need to increase their carbohydrates to fuel their runs, along with an increase in protein for muscle support.
Is a Whippet the Right Dog for Me?
Whippets are a great dog breed for people who love to exercise. If you’re someone who loves to hike, go on long walks, or run, whippets are the perfect breed. Whippets are naturally active and fast dogs, so running and being active with them is an important part of owning a whippet.
That said, make sure you have the budget to feed them the proper diet if you plan on exercising with them. We also don’t recommend keeping these dogs cooped up in small apartments or having them stay alone in your home for long periods. Whippets love to be included, so don’t leave them hanging for too long!
Overall, it doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time dog owner or an experienced dog-lover; the whippet can be a great companion if you care for them properly. Ultimately, it comes down to having the time to bond and play with them. You can learn the rest as you go!