Dog Breed Guide: Whippet

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

The little dog with the long legs, thin waist, deep chest and arched neck is not a miniature Greyhound—it's a Whippet. The breed, known for being lightning fast, was once popular for dog racing and was dubbed the “Poor Man's Racehorse."¹

Whippets have evolved into laid-back, loving companions that spend more time on the sofa than the racetrack. Thanks to their small stature and reputation for being quiet dogs that rarely bark, Whippets are well suited to apartment living—but their racing roots run deep, so Whippets need regular exercise.¹

History and Origin

Working-class folks in England developed the Whippet dog breed, crossing Greyhounds (like the Italian Greyhound) with other breeds to create successful hunters. The breed's job was to hunt small game, especially rabbits, across open spaces—called coursing.² Coursing required speed and the ability to follow (rather than sniff out) their prey, and Whippets were excellent at it.³

Whippets weren't just skilled hunters. Their owners also relied on them to provide entertainment in the form of dog racing. Their instinct to follow rabbits inspired the mechanized rabbits used at modern racetracks.³

While speed and hunting prowess might have led to the development of the breed, it didn't take long for wealthier British dog lovers to become fascinated with Whippets. Selective breeding resulted in a dog that had the appearance of a miniature Greyhound.²

The first Whippet breeder in the United States started in Rhode Island in 1903, and the breed was an instant hit. Whippets became regular Best in Show winners and transitioned from working dogs and show dogs to faithful best friends.³

Physical Characteristics

Whippets have an athletic build with a deep chest, thin waist, arched neck and lean head. The dogs are about 18 to 22 inches tall and typically weigh 25 to 40 pounds. Whippets have short, sleek coats that come in several different colors and patterns, including:¹

• Black
• Blue
• Blue brindle
• Blue fawn
• Fawn
• Fawn brindle
• Red
• White
• White & fawn
• White & red
• Red brindle
• Sable
• Seal

Their coats are “wash and go" and require little upkeep aside from an occasional bath and weekly brushing to remove loose hair.¹

Temperament and Personality

Whippets might not realize that their ancestors were working dogs—or perhaps the laid-back, loving dogs are too busy soaking up all your attention to care. The sweet-natured, affectionate dogs are wonderful companions and even make excellent therapy dogs.²

Although Whippets love to run, they prefer several shorter bursts of fast-paced action—think games of fetch or a few laps on an agility course—and lots of time to relax in between. It's best to limit off-leash play to securely fenced areas because Whippets are prone to chasing small animals.¹

Despite their small size, Whippets are a robust breed and they thrive on companionship. They are affectionate with their families and good with children and other dogs.¹

Looking for a watchdog? The Whippet may not be the best choice. The breed is known for being trusting and unsuspicious and will use their good looks and sweet nature to turn strangers into friends. Whippets rarely bark, so they're great for apartments, but not great for alerting you that someone is at the door.¹

Health and Care

Like other small breeds, Whippets have a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years. This is considered one of the healthier breeds of purebred dogs when given proper nutrition, regular exercise and vet care. Nonetheless, Whippets can experience several common health issues.⁴

Cardiac disease

Whippets can be born with mild heart murmurs, so it's important to get an evaluation from a veterinary cardiologist.⁴ Mitral valve disease, a heart condition that results from a weakened heart valve that allows blood to flow back into the heart, is also a concern.⁵

Hypothyroidism

This common endocrine disease is often diagnosed in middle-aged dogs and results from a decrease in thyroid levels that slow the metabolism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance and excessive shedding. Your vet will do a blood test to diagnose the condition.⁶

Epilepsy

The cause of epilepsy in dogs is unknown, but the condition causes seizures that can lead to stiff limbs, drooling, loss of bladder and bowel control, and vocalizations. There are medications that can control seizures.⁷

Congenital deafness

Although it's rare, Whippets can be diagnosed with congenital deafness.⁴ Congenital deafness is diagnosed when a dog is born partially or completely deaf due to a genetic defect. It's more common in dogs that have white (or mostly white) coats.⁸

Congenital deafness is apparent when Whippets are puppies.⁴ Signs that your Whippet might be deaf include not noticing when you clap your hands, squeak a toy or shake a bag of treats.⁸

Hip dysplasia

Whippets may also be prone to hip dysplasia, a painful condition that occurs when the hip joint and socket don't grow at the same rate, resulting in an ill-fitting joint that rubs or grinds. In addition to genetics, factors like diet, exercise and environment can also affect the risk of hip dysplasia.⁹

Some dogs don't show any symptoms of hip dysplasia, while others exhibit weakness or pain in the hind legs. Whippets with hip dysplasia might have trouble rising from a sitting position or have a wobble in their walk. Treatments for hip dysplasia range from medications to surgery.⁹

Diet and grooming needs

A big part of maintaining a Whippet's health is providing a nutritious diet and not overfeeding. Whippets are thin dogs, and maintaining a healthy weight is key to ensuring they live a long, healthy life.⁴

While the Whippet might not need much grooming, their short coat means the breed isn't well suited to cold climates.² Consider a Whippet wardrobe of coats and sweaters for walks in cold weather.

Training and Socialization

Whippets are known for being a little nervous, which makes it important to socialize them as puppies to help them feel comfortable with new people and experiences. The breed forms strong bonds with their families and prefers to be a constant companion. In fact, Whippets can experience separation anxiety if left alone for too long.⁵

Training is also important. Although Whippets are smart, it can take time to learn new things. Training that includes positive reinforcement is essential to help them master basic commands and develop positive behaviors.⁵ Remember to plan training sessions indoors or in fenced areas so Whippets don't get distracted and run off.¹

With the right training, the breed does well in fast-paced dog sports like obedience, agility and lure coursing.²

Suitable Home Environment

Whippets are adaptable and make great companions. The breed is quiet and well suited to apartment living as long as there's a comfy bed and regular exercise, but they will be equally happy in a house with a fenced yard to play fetch.¹

Since the breed is prone to separation anxiety, their ideal home is with someone who can be with them more often than not. Whippets will offer lots of love and affection in exchange for constant companionship.⁵

Although their short coats mean that Whippets have minimal grooming needs, the breed can be cold-sensitive and might need a sweater or coat in colder climates.² With their combination of cute sweaters and sweet-natured personalities, Whippets make charming companions that are eager to make friends with strangers, children and other dogs. Just make sure to keep them on a leash or in a fenced area because these super-fast dogs might get distracted and run off.¹

Whippets traded their racing roots to become cuddly homebodies that enjoy regular bursts of fast-paced activities and lots of time on the couch.¹ You can find Whippets in shelters, in rescue groups or through reputable breeders. Before adding a Whippet to your family, learn all you can about the breed to make sure it's the best breed to fit your lifestyle.

Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Whippet Healthy

Purchasing pet insurance may help you protect Whippets from diseases and illnesses. Pets Best dog insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs, and policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.

Sources/Citations

1. “Whippet," (n.d.), American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/whippet
2. “About Whippets," (n.d.), American Whippet Club, https://www.americanwhippetclub.org/about-whippets/
3. “History of the Whippet," Bo Bengtson (n.d.), American Whippet Club, https://www.americanwhippetclub.org/about-whippets/history-of-the-whippet/
4. “Whippet Health," (n.d.), American Whippet Club, https://www.americanwhippetclub.org/about-whippets/whippet-health/
5. “Whippet," (n.d.), The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/medium-dogs/whippet
6. “Hypothyroidism in Dogs," Malcolm Weir et al. (n.d.), VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hypothyroidism-in-dogs
7. “Epilepsy in Dogs," Ryan Llera et al. (n.d.), VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/epilepsy-in-dogs
8. "Living with a Deaf Dog," Courtney Barnes et al. (n.d.), VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/living-with-a-deaf-dog
9. "Hip Dysplasia in Dogs," Ryan Llera et al. (n.d.), VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs