Whippet Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

11-18 kgs

Height

45-55 cm

Lifespan

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About the Whippet

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Whippet is a small-medium sized dog similar to the greyhound. These purebred dogs are known around the world for their racing abilities, being the fastest dog of its size.

The whippet is a great apartment dog, as it is small, calm, and friendly. It will be a great addition to any household.

Read on for more Whippet dog breed information.

What is the history & origin of the Whippet?

The Whippet dog breed originated in England. Greyhounds and terriers were crossbred, giving the whippet (also called the snap dog) the appearance of a small greyhound. The Whippet caught the eye of wealthy dog enthusiasts, who bred in some Italian greyhound to give the whippet its elegant shape.

Originally bred to hunt small game, their speed gave rise to the sport of Whippet racing. Because of their small size, they are known as “the poor man’s greyhound” or “the poor man’s racehorse”.

The whippet was brought to the United States in the 1800s and was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1888. This breed is well-loved in North America and has led to the development of the American whippet club. Interestingly, the English Kennel Club only registered the whipped as a breed in 1891.

What is a Whippet breed?

The breed looks similar to a greyhound but is much smaller.

Whippets were bred for speed, with long, slender legs, a deep chest, and a narrow body. Despite their smaller stature, they are muscular with narrow tails and large eyes.

Whippets are the perfect blend of lapdog and adventure buddy. They are small enough to curl up on your lap, but of a decent size to compete in dog sports. An adult dog makes a great running companion.

Whippets have short, soft and silky coats. Because of their skinny build, lack of body fat and short fur, they prefer warm temperatures.

Unlike other animals, Whippets come in a variety of coat colours, including brindled.

Learn more about: Whippet Colours

Who is a Whippet best for?

Whippets do well indoors and are perfect apartment dogs as long as they get regular exercise. They are not endurance runners and do well with a few short sprints to get rid of their energy.

Whippets enjoy relaxing and curling up with their owners and are fairly quiet inside with proper stimulation.

Whippets hate being cold (and they get cold easily) and also do not enjoy lying on a hard surface. This means that your Whippet will try its best to get on your furniture and snuggle with you in bed.

Whippets are terrible guard dogs, but loyal friends. They are well suited to families and do well with other dogs. Because of their natural instinct to hunt, they will need proper training if they are going to be living with pets not as big as themselves.

Whippet Grooming & Shedding

The silky coat of a Whippet requires very little attention. With their smooth coat, they are low to moderate shedders, and will only require occasional brushing to remove loose hairs. Nail trimming is necessary on a regular basis as otherwise, they can get overly long nails. They can be bathed once in a while if dirty or smelly.

You should check the ears of your Whippet often, and clean them with a proper ear cleaner for dogs (but only as far as you can see into the canal).

Learn more about: Whippet Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Whippets bark a lot?

The Whippet is one of the quiet dog breeds out there. They are considered shy and do not have a natural tendency to bark.

Of course, like all dogs, they will bark if they want to alert their owners or become excitable, but barking is not a natural behaviour, which contributes to their success as apartment dogs.

What is the average weight & height of a Whippet dog?

On average, Whippets weigh between 11 to 18 kilograms (24 to 40 pounds) and stand about 45 to 55 centimeters (18 to 22 inches) tall at the shoulder.

Learn more about: Whippet Size & Weight Chart

Are Whippets easy to train?

Whippets can be naturally shy, so they require proper socialisation, especially at an early age. Whippet puppies are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training.

They do not cope well with crate training and can get claustrophobia and separation anxiety when left unattended in a crate.

Because this breed loves its owners so much, they could be overexcited when greeting family members. This behaviour can be discouraged by training your dog to stay calm with the arrival of guests or loved ones.

Pups should be taught from a very young age how to interact with cats and other small pets living in the household. Sadly, due to their hunting instincts, whippets can never be totally trusted around smaller pets. They do well with other breeds with a similar disposition.

Whippets were bred to run, and they do well in dog sporting events like lure coursing, dock diving and agility. They require adequate exercise in the form of short sprints each day.

Learn more about: Whippet Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Whippets behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Whippet dog breed has two personalities – running at full sprint, and lazing about or curling up to sleep against their owners.

These dogs are quiet and calm but do tend to chase small animals that cross their paths.

Whippets are part of the hound group, and just like other dogs like them, they are obedient and gentle. They are loyal, loving and friendly, but can be a bit shy and apprehensive around strangers.

This dog breed appears to be sensitive and shows signs of distress when separated from its family. When they are around people they love, they will cuddle and play.

Learn more about: Whippet Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Whippet have any common health issues?

Responsible breeders will maintain the breed standards as established by various international kennel clubs. Breeding dogs that meet the standards are less likely to have offspring with health problems.

Just like other dogs in the hound group, Whippets are prone to some hereditary health conditions, which include:

Von Willebrand’s Disease: a disorder that prevents the blood from clotting properly, which can lead to bleeding.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This disease affects the retina and can result in blindness.
Anesthesia sensitivity: All sighthounds are sensitive to anesthesia.
Dental issues: Proper dental hygiene can prevent these complications in the breed.

Learn more about: Common Whippet Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Whippet?

The life expectancy of a whippet is 12 to 15 years.

How much does a Whippet need to be fed?

To maintain a healthy weight, this dog must eat 3/4 cup of pet food each day, which must be fed across several mealtimes.

As with any other canine, the feeding needs will depend on the size, age and activity level of the individual dog. It is best to get an expert opinion from your vet if you are uncertain about the amount to feed your dog.

Treats should be fed in moderation to prevent obesity. Whippets love table scraps, but you should avoid feeding them human foods. This can also lead to weight gain in dogs that do not get daily exercise.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Whippet? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Whippet in Australia?

Whippets can cost anywhere from $1,400 to $3,500. The price will depend on the breeding stock and the bloodline of the Whippet puppy.

Learn more about: Whippet Prices In Australia

Whippet FAQs

Is a Whippet ideal for a first-time dog owner?

With its independent temperament, it is a perfect dog for first-time dog owners. They only require basic obedience training to be excellent companions. They get on with people of all ages and cope well in apartments as well as large yards.

This breed makes all-around perfect dogs for first-time owners.

Do Whippets suffer from separation anxiety?

Just like its cousins, the Italian Greyhounds, whippets prefer to be around their humans. When left alone for a long time, they will become anxious or depressed and show clear signs of distress, such as chewing, barking, howling or trying to escape.

Separation anxiety is very common in Whippets because of their love for their families.

Adult Whippets can be left alone for up to 8 hours if provided with food and water, but it could be incredibly distressing for them and is not recommended.

Are Whippets hypoallergenic dogs?

No, Whippets are not hypoallergenic dogs. Although a Whippet’s short coat does not shed a lot throughout the year, during summer a lot of hair and dander gets loose to help the dog stay cool.

Because of this, Whippets are not a great choice of dog for people suffering from allergies.

Will a Whippet need professional grooming?

Whippets do not require professional grooming.

Compared to other dog breeds, Whippets are incredibly low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Although they do shed throughout the year, a quick brush with a rubber brush or grooming glove is all that is required to remove loose hair.

Their short coat does not require trimming, and this small dog only requires a bath every few months or when exceptionally dirty. You do need to brush your Whippet’s teeth once a day or once every two days.