Known as the poor man’s racehorse, the Whippet is an energetic and exercise-loving dog. It is best known for Whippet racing and dog sports, but one of these medium-sized dogs can also make a great apartment dog. Knowing the correct size and weight of a Whippet is important for numerous reasons.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the ideal size and weight of these purebred dogs so you will know exactly what to expect if you plan on purchasing one of these gentle and sweet-natured pups.
While Whippets aren’t one of the large dog breeds, they certainly aren’t a toy breed either! A male Whippet will stand at about 55 cm, and a female will potentially reach heights of 53 cm once fully grown.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), a Whippet will reach its full size anywhere between 12 and 14 months.
The ideal weight for a male Whippet is 10-13 kgs, and for a female Whippet, it is anywhere between 8-11 kgs.
It’s extremely important to ensure that your Whippet does not become overweight. Allowing them to become obese can put pressure on their hearts and cardiovascular systems and will incur a lot of vet bills as it will often lead to your dog becoming ill.
You might want to consider mechanical lure coursing, which is great fun for them, as well as burning lots of calories and keeping them at a healthy weight. It keeps them away from the family cats, anyway!
Ensuring your Whippet grows properly is one of the most important things you will need to be mindful of when raising a Whippet puppy from a very young age.
As with other breeds, the Whippet will grow at a fast rate between the ages of birth and 8-9 months, during which point they should be fed specialist puppy food in order to maximise their growth and ensure they are healthy and happy.
The growth rate may vary from dog to dog, as it can depend on their genetics; some Whippet puppies can be fully grown in 6 months – however, this is rare.
If you have any queries or concerns about your Whippet’s growth, speak to your vet, who will be able to help by providing you with some Whippet dog breed information regarding their weight and size.
There is the standard Whippet, and then there is the Miniature Whippet, which is simply a smaller version of the former.
Anything over 18 kg is generally considered overweight for a Whippet; however, this will also depend on the height of this narrow dog.
If you are concerned that your Whippet is not growing as it should, you should speak to your vet in the first instance, who will run a series of tests and physically examine your Snap Dog to diagnose the problem.
As with other dogs, it’s vitally important that these companion dogs are able to grow properly, just not too much! If you find your Whippet’s waistline expanding, it’s time to rethink their diet and exercise, as too much body fat can be extremely unhealthy and ultimately dangerous to your dog.
If you have any concerns about the weight, height or general size of your dog, speak to your vet, who will be able to help.
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