Whippet Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: England
The Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound bred in England for speed and coursing, capable of reaching speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Despite their athletic build, Whippets are gentle, affectionate companions that settle quietly indoors after exercise.
| Breed | Whippet |
| Size | Medium (25–40 lbs) |
| Height | 19–22 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Gentle, Playful |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Minimal |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Light |
| Best For | Beginners & Families |
🐕 Whippet Overview
The Whippet is a sleek and elegant sighthound that excels both as a racing dog and a devoted family companion. Known for their dual nature, they are energetic and fast outdoors yet calm and quiet inside the home. Whippets are suitable for first-time dog owners who can meet their daily exercise needs, and they adapt well to a range of living environments including apartments. Their gentle temperament makes them particularly well suited to families with older children.
📜 History & Origin
The Whippet was developed in northern England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, primarily by working-class miners who needed a fast, affordable racing dog. Breeders crossed Greyhounds with terriers and later Italian Greyhounds to produce a smaller, more manageable sighthound. The breed was officially recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1888 and by The Kennel Club in the UK. Whippets became popular both on the racing track and in the show ring throughout the 20th century.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 25–40 lbs (11–18 kg)
- Height: 19–22 inches (48–56 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 25–35 lbs
- Height: 18–21 inches
Coat type: Short, smooth, and close-fitting single coat
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Whippets are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Whippets are high-energy dogs that require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
✅ Apartment living: Possible with adequate daily exercise commitment.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Whippet)
- Daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Whippet lifespan is 12–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active families
- Owners with secure gardens or nearby open spaces
- People who want a quiet low-maintenance coat
- First-time dog owners willing to provide daily exercise
- Excellent with children
- Suitable for first-time owners
❌ Cons
- People wanting low-maintenance pets in terms of exercise
- Owners who cannot provide a securely fenced yard or garden
- Households with very small pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs
- Requires significant daily exercise
🆚 Whippet vs Other Breeds
✅ Whippet wins at
The Whippet adapts more easily to smaller homes and apartments due to its compact size and slightly higher activity tolerance in confined spaces.
✅ Greyhound wins at
The Greyhound reaches higher top speeds and has a longer documented racing history, making it the choice for serious coursing enthusiasts.
✅ Whippet wins at
The Whippet is generally more affectionate and easier to bond with for first-time owners compared to the more independent Basenji.
✅ Basenji wins at
The Basenji is virtually barkless and produces very little odour, which suits owners who want an exceptionally quiet and clean dog.
🏠 Who Should Own a Whippet?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active families
- Owners with secure gardens or nearby open spaces
- People who want a quiet low-maintenance coat
- First-time dog owners willing to provide daily exercise
- A family with children
- A first-time dog owner
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- People wanting low-maintenance pets in terms of exercise
- Owners who cannot provide a securely fenced yard or garden
- Households with very small pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whippet good for families?
Whippets are excellent family dogs known for their gentle and affectionate nature. They generally get along well with older children who understand how to interact calmly with dogs. Because of their lean build and sensitive skin, very young children should be supervised to avoid accidental injury to the dog. With proper socialisation, Whippets can also coexist peacefully with other dogs and calm household pets.
How much does a Whippet puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Whippet puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 800 and 1,800 GBP depending on lineage and health testing. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 80,000 to 200,000 PKR, though the breed is uncommon and availability may be limited. In India, expect to pay between 40,000 and 120,000 INR from a responsible breeder. Always purchase from breeders who provide health certificates and allow you to visit the puppy with its mother.
Is Whippet easy to train?
Whippets are intelligent and willing to please, but they have an independent streak inherited from their sighthound heritage. They respond best to positive reinforcement methods using praise, play, and treats rather than harsh corrections. Recall training requires extra patience because their instinct to chase can override commands when prey is spotted. Consistent short training sessions started in puppyhood produce the best results.
What food is best for a Whippet?
Whippets do well on a high-quality dry kibble or fresh food that meets AAFCO nutritional guidelines and lists a named meat protein as the first ingredient. Adult Whippets typically require 1.5 to 2.5 cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals, though exact portions depend on the dog's weight, age, and activity level. Because Whippets have a lean frame with very little body fat, it is important to maintain a healthy weight without underfeeding. Avoid free feeding and monitor body condition regularly with guidance from your veterinarian.
Does Whippet bark a lot?
Whippets are considered a relatively quiet breed and do not bark excessively compared to many other dogs. They may alert bark when something unusual occurs but are not known to bark out of boredom or anxiety in the way some other breeds do. This makes them a reasonable choice for apartment living provided their exercise needs are met.
Can a Whippet live in an apartment?
Whippets can adapt well to apartment living because they are calm and quiet indoors once their exercise needs have been satisfied. They require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise per day, ideally including off-lead running in a safely enclosed area. Without sufficient daily exercise, a Whippet living in an apartment may become restless or develop destructive habits. Owners living in apartments should ensure regular access to parks or open spaces where the dog can run freely.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Whippet is an excellent choice for first-time dog owners and experienced owners alike. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, high energy demands, and minimal grooming requirements, the Whippet is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Whippet will reward you with years of loyal companionship.
Buying guides for the Whippet
Hand-picked product roundups tailored to the Whippet's needs.