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The Whippet is a graceful, calm dog breed that never seems to put a foot wrong. They tend to be gentle with both humans and other dogs, even with strangers. Despite their elegant appearance, they are almost always playful and affectionate.
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The Whippet is a graceful, calm dog breed that never seems to put a foot wrong. They tend to be gentle with both humans and other dogs, even with strangers. Despite their elegant appearance, they are almost always playful and affectionate.
Questions To Ask A Breeder
- Are you are registered breeder?
- Can we meet in person?
- Have they been socialised?
Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Exercise
Size Range
The Ultimate Whippet Guide
About Whippet
The Whippet is one of several sighthound dog breeds that specialise in chasing down their prey and overpowering it with their great speed and agility. However, the Whippet is more of a lover, not a fighter, and makes a great family pet.
Lifespan
12 to 15 years
Weight
18 to 45 pounds
Height
45 to 56 cm
Grooming
Whippet grooming is very simple, as their coat does not grow long. Shedding tends to be minimal, so brushing their short, smooth coat a couple of times a week is sufficient.
Origins
It’s unknown when exactly the Whippet as a breed was created, but evidence suggests that these dogs have been around since at least the Middle Ages.
The breed was developed by poachers in the 19th century to hunt small game such as rabbits. They also used the Whippet for racing, and the breed became popular among working men.
The sport of lure coursing, where dogs race after a rag or lure that simulates a rabbit, has fallen off in popularity, but the Whippet is still a highly desirable breed.
These days the Whippet is seen less as a race dog and more as a housepet.
Key Characteristics Of Whippets
Are Whippets Family-Friendly?
Yes, Whippets are playful and gentle with their humans. They get along well with children and the elderly, and have even been trained to be therapy dogs.
Common Health Issues & Considerations
Whippets may suffer from:
Blindness
Von Willebrand's disease
A genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of the von Willebrand factor, a protein essential for blood clotting.
Anesthesia sensitivity
An increased risk of adverse reactions to anesthesia, often due to specific genetic makeup or physical characteristics.
Nature / Temperament
Gentle, Graceful, Calm, Playful, Affectionate
Suitable Environment
The Whippet is a very adaptable dog, and there are many Whippet owners in all sorts of living environments. Apartment owners will be happy to learn that the Whippet is a great apartment dog, so long as they get some exercise.
A backyard or outdoor space is essential for the Whippet as this breed will want to run off-leash, at full speed, once or twice a week.
Other Considerations
● Whippets are not known to be barkers, and will stay quiet even if others approach their territory.
● Purebred Whippet puppies for sale may have a high asking price, especially if they are intended to be racing dogs.
● Whippets are not hard to housetrain, and they will naturally want to go potty outdoors.
How can I take good care of my Whippet?
Nutrition
Whippet puppies should always be fed high-quality dog food. While the Whippet may be slender in comparison to other dogs their height, they still require adequate nutrition to develop properly.
Clean water should be made available at all times.
Most Whippets will reach full maturity at around 12 months old, and will be muscular with little fat. If you feel your Whippet is underweight or overweight at this age, consult with your vet about your dog’s diet and nutrition.
Grooming
Whippets do not shed very much at all. Brushing their coat regularly will help keep their shedding to a minimum.
Recommended Grooming Tips
Whippets do not need to be bathed very often, as they tend to be clean dogs.
You may wipe your Whippet with pet wipes or a damp towel if they get dirty after running outdoors.
Daily toothbrushing with a toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Exercise
Whippets do not need much exercise despite their high athletic ability. Most Whippets should get around half an hour of exercise each day. However, once in a while a Whippet will want to run free – it’s best to do this in a secure outdoor space due to their high speed.
Whippets can excel at canine sports such as agility and flyball.
Training
Whippets benefit from training just like other dogs, even though they are naturally calm and gentle. Though they are not a working breed, they are smart enough and intelligent enough to learn many tricks.
Regular training sessions will help keep your Whippet mentally and physically stimulated. Obedience training takes priority, and most Whippet puppies can begin to be taught once they are brought home at 8 weeks old.
If you need extra help with training, you may choose to enrol your Whippet puppy in a training class. It is recommended that you make sure the training methods being used are based on positive reinforcement.
This is general information and should not be relied on for adopting or purchasing advice.
Most Asked Whippet Questions
No, Whippets are not aggressive towards humans or other dogs. Their gentle nature makes them excellent family pets, even in households with small children and elderly adults.
Whippets have a very strong prey drive, which is what makes them chase after the lure during races.
They may not get along well with cats, though Whippet puppies may learn to cohabitate with existing cats so long as they are introduced at a young age.
If you are looking for a Whippet for sale, we recommend that you adopt from ethical, responsible breeders. Doing this will ensure that the Whippet puppies you get are healthy.
The average cost of a Whippet for sale will be between AUD $1500 and $2500. Purebred Whippet puppies for sale may go for multiple times this amount.
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