Whippet breed guide

Gentleness meets athleticism in the elegant form of the whippet!

Read our guide to find out more about the cuddly whippet breed…

Whippet breed history

The whippet’s origin story was entwined with greyhound breed history for thousands of years, until the development of the whippet breed in 19^th century England…

Sighthounds (hunting dogs trained to chase prey without being distracted from their target) were treasured by nobility around the world, from Ancient Egypt to the UK during the Middle Ages.

However, despite their shared history, it took centuries before a distinction was made between whippets and greyhounds. Although it’s thought there were smaller greyhounds who could be considered similar to the whippet we know and love today, the whippet breed wasn’t recognised until the 19^th century.

Whippets were considered “a poor man’s greyhound” or “poor man’s racehorse” in the UK during the 1800s and were popular in mining communities across the country. Victorian, working-class owners wanted a smaller sized dog who was cheaper to keep than a greyhound, without compromising on their superior hunting skills.

Additionally, it’s believed whippets were so skilled at catching rabbits that miners would gamble on this and place bets as to the dog who could catch a rabbit first. After cruel sports like this were banned, a rabbit was replaced with a cloth dragged in a straight line that whippets would race to catch, for the entertainment of gamblers.

As time went on, other dog breeds enhanced the sleek athleticism of the whippet, including the Italian greyhound.

Common characteristics of the whippet breed

Please remember that the following characteristics are considered ‘average’ for whippets, and since each dog is a unique individual, your whippet’s characteristics may differ. 

Average height for a whippet

Most whippets tend to reach a height of about 44-51cm, at the shoulder.

Average weight for a whippet

The majority of whippets usually weigh approximately 10-18kg.

Average lifespan for a whippet

On average, whippets have a lifespan of around 12-15 years.

Typical whippet appearance

Whippets are medium-sized dogs of the ‘hound’ group with a slender, graceful frame that combines speed with delicate beauty.

They have slim, springy legs and a lean tail that tapers to a gentle curl. Plus, with their long muzzle, petal-like folded ears, and bright, oval eyes, it’s almost impossible to deny a whippet’s cuteness whenever they request extra snacks!

A whippet’s coat is fine, soft, and short – though they still require grooming at least a couple of times a week, to keep their coat in tip top condition. But, since they have such a thin coat, most whippets tend to have extremely sensitive skin, which may mean they’re more prone to injuries, e.g. cuts and scrapes.

There are a huge variety of coat colours, markings, and patterns seen in whippets, ranging from blue (pale grey) to brindle (distinctive darker striped pattern over a base colour)!

Did you know? Whippets naturally have a low amount of body fat, which means they often benefit from wearing a cosy dog coat while exercising outside in cold conditions and/or wet weather.

Typical whippet temperament

If you’ve ever met a whippet, you’ll know all about their incredibly cuddly and gentle nature! They’re often wonderful family dogs who get along well with people of all ages.

While whippets need at least an hour’s exercise each day, which should include an opportunity for them to run freely, most are happiest cuddled up or snoozing on the sofa. However, as highly intelligent dogs, some whippets love to keep busy – so, many of them enjoy engaging in sports like agility or obedience training, alongside plenty of mental stimulation.

Thanks to their high levels of intelligence, whippets are usually excellent to train. Though due to their high prey drive, you’ll need to work hard to develop your whippet’s recall if you want to prevent them from chasing distractions, like squirrels!

Since your whippet has a high prey drive, it’s important to introduce them safely to any cats in your household as well, to make sure they get along happily. Likewise, if you have small pets (including rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters), it’s not recommended that you add a whippet to your family because of their high prey drive.   

In line with their gentle personality, lots of whippets can be sensitive to loud noises, hectic households, and unfamiliar surroundings. So, it’s essential to socialise your whippet from a young age, and explore new surroundings with them safely, to help them build self-confidence and strengthen their trust in you.

Whippet health conditions

It’s not unusual for pedigree breeds to be prone to certain health concerns, and, unfortunately, whippets are no exception. Here are a few health conditions commonly seen in the whippet:

• Eye problems (e.g. progressive retinal atrophy – gradual loss of sight).
• Mitral valve disease (a heart condition).
• Immune mediated problems (their body reacts to its own cells).

Remember: Keep an eye out for any health issues your whippet may develop, and get your canine companion checked by a vet if you have any concerns. If you are considering pet insurance, be sure to read our guide about insuring your whippet.

Fun facts about whippets

Fact 1 – Some believe the whippet originated from the ‘Vertragus’, a Celtic greyhound-type dog who was known to the Romans. 

Fact 2 – Whippets can reach speeds of up to 35mph while running!

Fact 3 – Owing to their history as a racing dog, the whippet also used to be called the ‘snap dog’ or ‘lightning rag dog’.

Fact 4 – The whippet breed hasn’t just descended from the greyhound or sighthound, they have terrier ancestors, too!

Fact 5 – Since they dislike being cold and aren’t comfortable resting on hard surfaces, whippets appreciate any opportunity to curl up in blankets or snooze on soft surfaces, like the sofa.