Whippet Breed Facts and Information

Training: Whippets are an independent breed, like other varieties of hounds. This means they won’t constantly look to their masters for direction or praise. It doesn’t mean that they can’t follow basic obedience, and many even learn enough to pick up on some other more complicated directives. In general, they’re willing and speedy learners. Some individuals can be prone to shyness and are especially sensitive to the touch. With all Whippets, but particularly these sensitive individuals, consistent positive methods will yield the best results.

Any breed of dog needs a degree of training, and each breed for its own pronounced reasons. For Whippets, training should be undertaken as a matter of their own safety. Leash training will prevent them from breaking free to chase whatever catches their attention in a dangerous or busy environment, and doggie socialization will help keep them out of fights — from which Whippets usually suffer the worst of the injuries.

Barking: Whippets are typically a quiet breed, delicately prancing through the house or apartment, and rarely barking. It’s said that Whippets don’t bark unless there’s something worth barking about. Bark-worthy things could include sudden noises, or getting ready to go out for a jog in the morning. More often, Whippets yowl, growl and howl along with, or instead of, barking. Their bark is full, and a high or mid-range pitch.

If Whippets become regular barkers, they’re probably experiencing chronic frustration that could be caused by lack of exercise, separation anxiety, or extreme boredom. A normal, healthy routine will prevent stress barking, and keep most Whippets quietly satisfied.

Personality: Whippets are generally quiet, friendly, and sensitive. While the breed tends to be on the shy side, a well socialized and stable Whippet should be calm and relaxed in a variety of situations.

Temperament & Behavior: Whippets forever live a life of two dogs in one body. During their youth, they’re infamous terrors who are agile, mischievous, and destructive. However, around their second year, the same social delinquents turn out to be calm, mild-mannered, and well-behaved domestic pets who rarely make a peep. That thirst for terror and intensity then manifests itself into the Whippet’s sporadic need for speed. A few times per week, they would like to run their hearts out, while the rest of the time, they are more than content to snuggle under a blanket and sleep.

Behavior with Kids: Whippets are playful and enjoy horsing around, however they are sensitive to touch and wouldn’t be the first choice as playmates specifically for small children.

Protection: Whippets aren’t good choices for guard dogs. They’re usually reluctant to bark, friendly towards strangers, and don’t look particularly menacing.

Life span: On average, Whippets live to be about 12-15 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: Although Whippets are generally a healthy breed, several conditions have been found to occur in Whippets either due to inheritance or occurring at an increased frequency within the breed. These may include, but are limited to, the following: Pattern baldness, Truncal solar dermatitis, Ivermectin toxicosis (MDR1 mutation), Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, Cataracts, Vitreal degeneration and Deafness.

Preventive Care: In order to keep your Whippet in the peak of health, keep them at a healthy body weight with proper nutrition, go for regular visits to a veterinarian, and administer proper prevention against common parasites, such as fleas, ticks, heartworm, and internal parasites. Whippets are more prone to carrying a multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) than many other breeds, which can make them sensitive to certain drugs, including ivermectin and milbemycin. These two drugs are commonly found in heartworm prevention medications, but the amount of medication is small enough that problems should not arise if an MDR1 mutation is present. A Whippet’s thin coat and slight build makes them more prone to skin lacerations, so keep a close eye on your Whippet’s skin while out and about.

Although many of the more common conditions occurring in Whippets cannot be definitively prevented, there are screening tests that are commonly performed by responsible breeders to screen breeding dogs for abnormalities with their eyes, heart, and hearing.

Although any dog can become overweight if overfed and under-exercised, obesity is of particular concern with Whippets due to the strain it places on their slightly built frame. Be sure to carefully measure your Whippet’s meals and offer portion-controlled meals of a balanced diet. Avoid offering table scraps or too many treats, since these will quickly pack on the pounds.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Whippet is 1-1.5 cups.

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: Overall, Whippets require only a moderate amount of regular exercise. They need an opportunity to unleash their inner speed-demons a few times per week, but can otherwise maintain good condition through regular jogging and daily walks. Although Whippets have an abundance of raw talent, they’re also willing to channel this nature into recreational activities, like doggie-sports. For example, Whippets can be great Disc Dogs or add a stunning advantage to a Flyball team. They can participate in recreational racing, and Whippets that are over- or under- size may enjoy Oval Track Racing. It’s also a joy to watch Whippets in a more original, albeit artificial pursuit: tearing around an open field during recreational lure coursing, where dogs chase a lure meant to play the part of a rabbit.

One of the Whippets greatest charms can also be a significant downfall. With their lust for the chase, Whippets can be hard to manage around other, smaller pets, and wildlife. It’s important to raise a Whippet as a puppy with these other animals if you don’t want a chase-happy hound that leaps before it looks. For the same reason, electric fences aren’t recommended to contain this breed. Unfortunately, many Whippets are also drawn to less viable prey, like cars. Owners must take care to curb these dangerous habits early, and keep their dogs fenced or on a lead.

Climate: Whippets have a short coat and thin skin, which makes them sensitive to the cold. In cold weather, they’ll need to bundle up with a doggie sweater and booties. They’re better suited to warm climates, but are susceptible to sunburn and heatstroke if they’re tearing around the dog park at top speed.