Much more than just the “Poorman’s Greyhound”, Whippets are an adorable, dynamic breed that has so much to offer. Though known to be athletic (and so fast!), they also love lazing around the house and just spending time with their favorite humans. Plus, with their slender build and sweet faces, you’ll have every excuse to find them some fashion-forward outerwear that they can rock when you’re strolling outdoors.
Is a Whippet the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Northern England
- Size:
- Weight: 18-48 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Whippet Appearance
Whippets are sometimes confused for Greyhounds because they have a similar, graceful body – but generally slender Whippets are smaller and less muscular.
They have short, sleek fur and long, slender legs, plus a deep chest that is similar to the Greyhound’s. Their coat is short and smooth, and comes in a variety of colors and combinations. The most common hues you’ll find Whippets coming in are black, red, cream, white, red, fawn, blue, brindle – and everything in between. They’re also known to have a plethora of spots and color patches, which keeps things even more interesting.
You’ll probably see Whippets around town sporting a snazzy sweater or coat – that’s often necessary because of their super-slender stature and their thin hair. They need a little extra warmth when they’re out and about.
Whippet Personality
Whippets are beloved because they really can get along with just about anyone. They are truly people-centric dogs, and are very loving and affectionate toward the ones that they are attached to. They’re generally great with strangers too! You can also depend on them to be kind and gentle with kids and with other pets – although sometimes their prey drive will get in the way of them being too cozy with cats or other smaller critters.
Yes, Whippets love to run – but they also love to stretch out and be lazy once that energy has been expelled. It is important to give them that exercise though, as they’ll become destructive and anxious if they don’t have a physical outlet – which is why many of them also excel at dog sports or other similar activities.
Ideal Environment for a Whippet
Whippets are great in both apartments and houses, just so long as their daily energy requirements are met. They’ll enjoy running around a nice, fenced-in yard, but they’re also happy with frequent walks, or trips to a dog park (that is very safe and thoroughly secured, of course).
They also don’t tend to bark much, which will make them a hit with your fellow apartment dwellers.
Just make sure you don’t have a Whippet in too extreme of an environments – as discussed above, their slender frames and thin coat mean that they don’t have much protection against the elements.
Ideal Human for a Whippet
The most important things that a human can provide for their Whippet is time and attention. Just like a Greyhound these dogs love being with their people, and will not be happy if they’re constantly being left alone.
They also need a family that is devoted to giving them the sufficient amount of exercise they need to thrive, and someone who can commit to training them and keeping them mentally stimulated. Active humans are a great fit since Whippets are wonderful at dog sports that focus on agility and speed.
Whippet Dog Training
Whippets love to learn, so training them is a breeze so long as you take the necessary precautions. Since they have such a high prey drive it’s important to be VERY careful when they are off leash, because in an instant they’ll be off after a squirrel or bird.
They’re easy to house train, and they tend to do well with crates, seeing them as a safe, comfortable space. Always use positive, encouraging methods when you’re training your Whippet as they’re very sensitive, and can easily become an unwilling participant if you’re too harsh with them. Oh, and treats are always a plus for this breed when it comes to training.
One more thing – take the time to social this breed. By doing this, you’ll make them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore the world, and they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all Whippets really just want to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.
Whippet Grooming
Whippets are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs, basically just needing to have their hair brushed with a nice rubber curry brush weekly to help remove dead and loose hair.
You should also brush their teeth regularly to promote good oral hygiene and keep their nails trimmed up – it’ll make running more comfortable for them.
Whippet Health
Whippets are a fairly healthy breed, but they do have a few possible health issues that you should keep an eye out for. Many of these issues are similar to greyhounds, including anesthesia sensitivity (they require MUCH less than other breeds due to their low body fat), deafness, various eyes diseases, and a blood disorder called Von Williebrand Disease.
Whippets generally live from 12 to 15 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.
Whippet Breed History
Developed in Northern England in the late 1700’s, Whippets (a cross between Greyhounds and shorter terriers) were created to be small, fast dogs that could help poachers catch rabbits on local estates. They’ve been nicknames the “Poorman’s Greyhound”, since their smaller size means they cost less in food and care.
Getting a Whippet
Whippet breeders
Finding a reputable breeder can be a daunting task. Thankfully organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) have search tools to find a reputable Whippet breeder near you.
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. Also, a good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.
Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.
Adopting a Whippet
Whippets often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills. Being that their prey drive is so strong, this breed doesn’t work out in every family, which means that you can sometimes find them up for adoption. Be sure to check sites like pet finder, as well as Greyhound and Italian Greyhound rescues.
A Whippet can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. Surrendered dogs are often already well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home, so rescuing is always a wonderful option.
Whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.
More on Whippets
If you’re simply in love with Whippets, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From the popular collars for Whippet lovers, to silly Whippet antics, fashionable Whippet outfits and more: