Whippet

Temperament & Personality

Whippets are often described as mild-mannered, affectionate, and gentle dogs. They tend to be friendly with their families and polite with strangers, though initially a bit reserved or shy due to their sensitive nature. In the home, you’ll find them calm and quiet – in fact, excessive barking is not a common trait of the Whippet. Despite their placid indoor demeanor, Whippets still have the instincts of a sighthound: outdoors, they may suddenly bolt after small animals, thanks to a strong prey drive. Early socialization helps Whippets adapt to different people and pets; well-socialized Whippets are known to get along with other dogs and gentle children, especially in a peaceful environment that won’t overwhelm these sensitive pups. Overall, the Whippet’s personality is a charming mix of quiet devotion and playful bursts of energy.

Care, Living Environment, & Grooming

Whippets thrive as house dogs and love creature comforts – they’ll happily snooze on your sofa for hours. They do not tolerate cold or wet weather well, due to their thin skin and scant body fat, so provide a sweater or coat in chilly climates. A Whippet can do well in an apartment or small home as long as they get daily exercise. They need a couple of brisk walks each day and occasional all-out sprints in a safely fenced area. Because of their prey drive, it’s essential to keep them leashed or in a secure fenced yard; a Whippet can accelerate to top speed in seconds if they spot a squirrel.

Grooming a Whippet is relatively easy. Their short, smooth coat sheds only lightly and has little “doggy” odor. Grooming tips:

• Brushing: Use a soft brush or grooming mitt about once a week to remove loose hairs and keep their skin healthy.
• Bathing: Bathe occasionally (only when needed) using a gentle dog shampoo, as Whippets have sensitive skin. Always check for cuts or scrapes after vigorous play, as their thin skin can be prone to nicks.
• Nails & Ears: Trim their nails regularly (usually every 3-4 weeks) and check their ears for any redness or odor, cleaning gently as needed.

Overall, Whippets are a low-maintenance breed in terms of grooming. Regular vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and keeping them warm and safe will ensure your Whippet is comfortable in any living situation – whether in a city apartment or a house with a yard.

Training & Socialization

Training a Whippet requires a patient, gentle approach. These dogs are intelligent but can have an independent streak typical of sighthounds. They respond best to positive reinforcement with treats and praise, as harsh corrections may backfire on their sensitive temperament. Begin socialization and basic obedience training early in puppyhood. Whippet puppies should be exposed gradually to different people, other animals, and various environments to build their confidence. With their strong chase instinct, recall training is particularly important – though even a well-trained Whippet should never be off-leash in unsafe areas, as instinct can override training. Keep training sessions fun and short, since Whippets can get bored with too much repetition. Many Whippets excel in dog sports like lure coursing or agility, which provide both mental and physical stimulation. In general, use encouragement, consistency, and patience. You’ll find your Whippet eager to please when they trust you, and their naturally polite disposition makes them relatively easy to manage in the home. Early socialization combined with kind, consistent training will yield a well-mannered, confident adult Whippet.

Health Considerations

Overall, Whippets are a healthy breed with a long lifespan of around 12–15 years. They are not prone to a large number of health problems, but there are a few breed-specific concerns to keep in mind. Responsible breeders will perform health screenings (such as hearing, heart, and eye exams) on their dogs to reduce the risk of inherited issues. Notable health considerations in Whippets include:

• Lifespan: On average 12–15 years, which is relatively long for a medium-sized dog. With good care, many Whippets enjoy their senior years in good health.
• Mitral Valve Disease (Heart): Older Whippets can develop mitral valve disease, a degenerative heart condition. An early sign is a heart murmur. Regular veterinary check-ups can catch this, and treatment can manage symptoms over the dog’s lifetime.
• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat): Like other deep-chested breeds, Whippets can occasionally suffer from bloat, a dangerous twisting of the stomach. Though not as common as in large breeds, it’s a serious emergency – feeding multiple small meals and avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating can help reduce the risk.
• Congenital Deafness: Whippet puppies are sometimes born with hereditary deafness, and older Whippets can lose hearing over time. Many breeders use the BAER test to check a puppy’s hearing. Deaf Whippets can still lead happy lives, but training may rely on hand signals.
• Thin Skin Injuries: Due to their very fine coat and skin, Whippets are prone to cuts, nicks, and scrapes during play or outdoor adventures. Small lacerations are usually minor, but larger wounds may require veterinary attention for cleaning or sutures. It’s wise to check your Whippet’s body for any injuries after vigorous exercise or running in brush.

Recommended Health Tests: The American Whippet Club recommends that breeding Whippets undergo a one-time BAER hearing test, annual ophthalmologist eye exams, and a cardiac evaluation (such as an echocardiogram every 1–2 years) to screen for deafness, inherited eye diseases, and heart abnormalities. By staying aware of these health considerations and working with a vet for regular check-ups, Whippet owners can ensure any issues are caught early. Fortunately, most Whippets will remain healthy throughout their lives with proper care and routine preventive vet care.

Cost of Ownership

Owning a Whippet involves moderate ongoing costs. In the United States, expect to spend roughly $1,000–$2,000 per year on care for a Whippet. This annual cost includes all the basics: quality dog food, regular veterinary care, grooming, and supplies. Food will likely be one of the largest expenses – a Whippet’s diet might run around $40–$70 per month for good-quality food (approximately $480–$840 per year). Routine vet care (annual exams, vaccinations, flea/heartworm prevention) typically costs about $300–$600 per year, assuming the dog is healthy. Whippets have low grooming costs since they don’t require professional haircuts; you might spend $100–$200 annually on basic grooming supplies, the occasional bath, and nail trimming. Other expenses include toys, treats, bedding, and gear (leashes, coats for winter, etc.), which could be another few hundred dollars a year. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected vet visits or injuries – an emergency fund or pet insurance (often ~$25–$60 per month) can provide peace of mind. Overall, a comfortable average yearly budget for a Whippet is around $1,500 (falling in the middle of the typical range) to cover most out-of-pocket costs. Keep in mind the first year often costs more (with one-time purchases like spay/neuter, crate, etc.), and over a Whippet’s lifetime (12+ years) the total expense can accumulate accordingly.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Gentle, affectionate nature: Whippets are friendly and bond closely with their families, often making loving and polite house dogs.
• Quiet and well-mannered: This breed isn’t known for excessive barking or hyperactivity indoors, which makes them pleasant companions in a calm home.
• Low-shedding, easy-care coat: Whippets have minimal grooming needs. Their short coat sheds only lightly and has little odor, requiring only occasional brushing.
• Athletic yet calm: Whippets can sprint up to 35 mph in short bursts, satisfying an owner’s desire for an active playmate, but they are content to snooze for the rest of the day on the couch.
• Adaptable to small living spaces: With daily exercise, Whippets do well in apartments or homes without large yards, as they are generally relaxed indoors.

Cons:

• High prey drive: Whippets will instinctively chase squirrels, rabbits, or cats. They must be leashed or in a fenced area outside to prevent them from running off after small animals.
• Poor cold tolerance: With their thin skin and low body fat, Whippets get cold easily and dislike rainy or cold weather. They often need a doggy sweater or coat in winter.
• Sensitive personality: Whippets can be timid or anxious in very loud, chaotic environments or if handled harshly. They thrive on gentle guidance and may become stressed by severe discipline or roughhousing.
• Not a guard dog: These dogs are typically friendly or indifferent toward strangers and are not prone to barking, so they don’t offer much deterrent as watchdogs.
• Delicate skin: Whippets’ fine skin can tear or bruise more easily than thicker-coated breeds. Owners need to be mindful of rough play or abrasive surfaces that might cause injuries.

Fun Facts

• “Poor Man’s Racehorse”: In 19th-century England, Whippets were raced by coal miners and factory workers in a sport called rag racing. Their speed and accessibility earned them the nickname “poor man’s racehorse” among these working-class enthusiasts. Prizes for winning races could be as high as a week’s wages, making Whippet racing a popular pastime.
• Fast but Laid-Back: A Whippet can reach speeds of around 35 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest dog breeds of its size. Yet, when not in sprinting mode, Whippets are famously lazy lounge lovers. Owners often humorously refer to them as “45-mph couch potatoes,” since these dogs are perfectly happy to spend hours sleeping snugly under a blanket after a quick zoom around the yard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Whippets good with children and other pets?

Yes, Whippets can be good family dogs. They are gentle and playful, though they do best with calm, respectful kids. Early socialization is key – a well-socialized Whippet is usually friendly with other dogs and can even live peacefully with cats indoors (their chase instinct may kick in outdoors). Because they’re somewhat sensitive, they appreciate gentle handling and a quieter home environment.

How much exercise does a Whippet need?

Whippets enjoy daily exercise but they don’t require marathon workouts. A couple of decent walks (20-30 minutes each) and the chance to run freely once or twice a week in a safely fenced area is usually enough to keep them happy. They are sprinters, not distance runners – after a brief zoomie, your Whippet is likely to curl up and nap. Mental stimulation (like sniffing games or puzzle toys) is also beneficial, since these intelligent hounds like to explore their environment.

Do Whippets shed a lot or require a lot of grooming?

Whippets are low to moderate shedders and are considered an easy breed to groom. They have a single short coat that doesn’t shed excessively. Weekly brushing with a soft brush or mitt will remove loose hair and keep their skin healthy. They only need infrequent baths (since they have little odor) and routine care like nail trims and teeth brushing. Overall, their grooming needs are minimal compared to many other breeds.

Do Whippets bark a lot?

No – one of the appeals of the Whippet is that they tend to be very quiet dogs. Most Whippets rarely bark except in play or if there’s a serious reason. They’re not yappy. Instead, a Whippet usually communicates with you through body language or the occasional excited “woo-woo” sound. Their calm, quiet nature makes them good neighbors in apartment settings.

References

1. PetMD – Whippet
2. iHeartDogs – Cost of a Whippet Puppy by US Region
3. American Kennel Club – Whippet History