Whippet

View Another Breed:
Whippet

Whippet Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Whippet Breed Information

Breed Group: Hound

Weight: 20-40 lbs

Height: Male: 19-22; Female: 18-21 inches

Color(s): Beige, blue, roan, black, black and white, or white with streaked or yellow patches

Overview

A lively breed, the Whippet is rather sensitive. Proper introductions should be done at an early stage. This breed has a wonderful disposition, but can be very shy if not properly socialized. Does not do well with small and passive animals, but is generally good with other dogs given they are gradually introduced. The Whippet is a fast runner, and should always be kept on a lead.

Character

Very fun loving and energetic, this breed is prone to shyness. Does well in working sports, but is very gentle. Not recommended as a kennel pet, the Whippet is best suited as a household companion. They have many athletic traits, and are great sprinters.

Temperament

Amiable, docile, yet high energy, the Whippet makes a wonderful child's companion providing the child knows how to handle a dog. Rather independent, this breed is also a quick learner but does require consistent training methods and variety as they bore quickly. The Whippet is a very sensitive breed and should never be roughly handled, as shyness is a factor.

Care

Very easily groomed, Whippets must however be protected from the cold. His short, smooth and silky coat does not adapt well to colder climates. Averagely shedding, occasional brushing to limit shedding should suffice. Bathing every six months should be fine, as the short coat does not trap dirt well.

Coat

The Whippet has a short, tight, and smooth coat. Firm in texture, yet soft. Coat does not adapt well to colder climates so this breed needs a considerable amount of protection from cold weather. Coat should remain fairly weather resistant given the length, and texture.

Training

The Whippet does best in a home with a gentle and warm handler. Being very intelligent, they are also independent which does require a bit of variety to keep them interested. Does well in working and obedience, the Whippet loves to run and would do exceptionally well in a sprinting sport.

Activity

A small yard will do for this small yet active dog. A daily walk should do. Should not be let off lead unless in a fenced in yard as they will chase and kill small and fast animals. Should regularly run in a yard if possible, but will do well with no yard if given opportunities to run, perhaps in a park.

Ask a Question Whippet Questions & Answers

QUESTION: I got my 2 yr old female whippet from a rescue org. She loves me and has bonded with me almost immediately. The problem is she is afraid of my husband. In the morning she is fine and at night. But during the day she runs from him, she is especially bad when he is standing. If he sits, she might sit next to him on the couch, but still is afraid. I have ony had her 20 days. What can I do for her to not be afraid of him. Treats don't help.

Anonymous - 9/30/2011 10:50:32 PM

Respond to Question

Hi: The best thing is to be patient. Be supportive to your whippet and let her come to him. May take awhile. Chances are that it was a male that was harmful to her. Whippets can be sensitive anyway. Even something as simple as a tone of voice can cause a problem when they have been hurt. As you said 20 days is a very short time. Give her love and she may come around. They are a special breed and are smart. She will see after a while that he is no threat to her and will come around. Lots of runs and love and she will be fine. Merry Christmas.

Anonymous - 12/24/2011 5:15:02 PM

QUESTION: I want to breed my whippet anyone have any info on how I should go about this

Anonymous - 7/27/2011 6:48:30 PM

Respond to Question

Did you contact an area kennel club to find other whippet owners/breeders? With so many surrendered dogs in today's economy, please consider not adding more to the general population just because you love your dog and have the desire to pass on its genes.

Anonymous - 11/5/2011 5:39:07 PM

QUESTION: I have a Boston/Whippet cross. She's a beautiful dog, Wonderful mother, Great with children..she enjoys being inside, does fine outside...She sings for the children and plays like one of them...lol...She went to work in Home health care with me as a puppy ,and was an Awesome companion to my lady client..Enjoy their mild nature....Beatrice(Bea) is a Great Friend in my life...

Anonymous - 6/24/2011 1:00:51 PM

Respond to Question

I wouldnt mind adopting a dog but i rather not buy a dog from a shelter. Shelters want to much for the dog and all the restriction. And the answers they give you is well you probably not suited for this dog anyway. What a crock of bull I Own a farm with 128 head of cattle and 1 beauty of a dog i love to death. and my chickens are not sold for eating/ I hate it when people get so money hungry.

Anonymous - 1/18/2012 3:45:58 PM

QUESTION: do whippets get very big and how are they on house training

Anonymous - 6/22/2011 6:38:02 PM

Respond to Question

Whippets are great on house training. I adopted one that was abused at 2 yrs old and she has never had an accident, I have only had her 20 days. They don't bark at all really either. Very clean, don't have an odor. Shy around some people, seem to be very smart too. My only problem is she doesn't drink enough water.

Anonymous - 9/30/2011 10:27:47 PM

Whippets are a medium to small dog, easy to train, smart dogs...

Anonymous - 6/24/2011 1:02:19 PM

QUESTION: can you leave a whippet alone for more than 8 hours

Anonymous - 4/19/2011 12:14:01 PM

Respond to Question

YES BUT ID SAY THEY SHOULD BE CRATE TRAINED FIRST

Anonymous - 10/6/2011 10:34:32 AM

I wouldn't leave a whippet alone in a crate 8 hrs. I can leave it in a crate overnite at my son's house for 8 hrs no problem. But during the day she might chew her towel if you leave her more than 3 hrs. But I just got her 20 days ago.

Anonymous - 9/30/2011 10:29:38 PM

it depends on the personality of a whippet. if it likes to be alone its ok i guess and if it really likes you no you cant leave it alone for that long

Anonymous - 4/22/2011 2:44:27 AM

QUESTION: do whippets lose lots of hair and do they like water

Anonymous - 4/10/2011 2:32:35 AM

Respond to Question

My whippet can swim! She likes the wading pool at dog park.

Anonymous - 9/30/2011 10:30:19 PM

Whippets usually shed in the fall and spring, and not too heavily. Depending on the individual dog, they may or may not like water play. The breed was not specifically bred for swimming but they can.

Anonymous - 6/10/2011 6:11:47 PM

QUESTION: Would a whippet be good living with a fully grown cat if they were introduced when the whippet was a puppy?

Anonymous - 3/26/2011 5:27:05 PM

Respond to Question

Yes, as long as they are properally introduced. I have 3 cats and I just recently got a Whippet. They are now the best of friends.

Anonymous - 4/6/2011 8:18:18 PM

QUESTION: Are Whippet's expensive? Whats the general price range? What is the color variation?

Anonymous - 2/21/2011 10:03:21 PM

Respond to Question

Every whippet puppy I have inquired about has been 1100 dollars. I really want one but can't afford to pay that much.

Anonymous - 9/29/2011 3:54:43 PM

Beige, blue, roan, black, black and white, or white with streaked or yellow patches are standard whippet colors. They usually range from $200-$500.

Anonymous - 3/13/2011 6:02:36 AM

QUESTION: Can I use an invisible fence for a Whippet? Will it be effective for a puppy?

Anonymous - 12/20/2010 5:59:37 PM

Respond to Question

Don't use an underground system, whippets are so fast and build up so much momentum it's easy for them to get through it and when they stop chasing and try and come back they get "locked out" and punished for trying to get back home

Anonymous - 3/10/2011 1:52:53 AM

With Whippets it would be best to use a regular fence and some kind of underground thing. Most whippets can jump over a fence if it's not at least six or even eight feet tall. Most underground fences use flags to mark the boundary so the dogs will it's there. But it might ba a little much for a puppy. Only problem with whippets and using just an underground fence would be they might run through it with the speed of light chasing some squirrel out of the yard and once their through it there gone!

james2527 - 1/25/2011 1:20:40 PM

No, your whippet will not be able to see the fence, so it will not know what normal fences look like.

Anonymous - 1/19/2011 6:19:53 PM

QUESTION: I have two whippets and both seem to be constantly hungry. As a result, the male is about 35lbs; female is about 24lbs. They are 14 months old and get dry food only. Any suggestions?

Anonymous - 12/20/2010 12:25:15 PM

Respond to Question

I give my whippet/border collie mix a high performance dog food. She runs with me about 5 miles a day and is very happy with her food. I give her purina pro plan. I also give her a couple of hard boiled eggs a week and some chicken breast meat.

Anonymous - 3/27/2011 8:40:21 PM

What's the problem? Your whippets are within the normal weight range... and if they exercise or chase things regularly then they will eat a lot... what does your vet say

Anonymous - 3/10/2011 1:55:34 AM

Give your whippets a mix of dry and wet food, that worked with my whippet.

Anonymous - 1/19/2011 6:20:45 PM

Put your whippets on a raw food diet. Ask any pet store or vet about this. Near Los Angeles, there is a place where you can order in bulk: Harmony Farms. All natural meat that mimics the diet of the wild. Keeps animals trim and healthy.

Anonymous - 1/12/2011 5:36:47 AM

QUESTION: Do whippets get sick easily?

Anonymous - 12/1/2010 12:21:20 PM

Respond to Question

Whippets are actually very healthy dogs. Just keep them on a good diet and make sure they stay warm in the winter time.

james2527 - 1/25/2011 1:05:10 PM

Not really, but whippets are prone to broken bones and it is difficult to teach them about traffic rules.

Anonymous - 1/19/2011 6:21:27 PM

Whippets do not get sick easily.

Anonymous - 12/2/2010 5:46:51 PM

QUESTION: Does a Whippet shed?

Anonymous - 10/21/2010 9:16:57 PM

Respond to Question

Just keep whippets brushed once a week and you will notice a great difference in their shedding.

james2527 - 1/25/2011 1:22:00 PM

Yes I have a whippet, it sheds a lot, but only on fabric not on wood or tiles.

Anonymous - 1/19/2011 6:22:07 PM

Whippets do not have a lot of hair so you should not have a problem with shedding!!!

Anonymous - 12/1/2010 12:22:28 PM

I have a wonderful whippet and he does shed, but only a small amount. The short hairs are easy to clean up, so don't worry. My whippy Gabriel is black, so those hairs can be annoyingly easy to notice, but not bad. I think younger dogs shed less. Hope this helps! :)

Anonymous - 10/28/2010 3:34:26 PM

If you are looking for Whippet puppies for sale from reputable Whippet breeders or to adopt a Whippet from a Whippet rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Whippet puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Whippet puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.