Breeds
Whippet: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care
A Whippet is a gentle, affectionate, quiet sighthound that spends most of the day curled up on the softest seat in the house and then sprints like a race car. Whippets are calm indoors, rarely bark, love children and other dogs, and need very little grooming. The essentials are safe places to run, a leash everywhere else, and warm bedding for a thin-coated, lean dog. Here is what to expect on size, lifespan and care.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 10, 20264 min read2 sources
Whippet temperament and personality
The AKC rates the Whippet five out of five for affection with family, with young children and with other dogs, and one out of five for barking. It describes the breed as calm in the house, preserving its energy for explosive bursts of running.
Openness to strangers is three out of five, so many Whippets are polite but reserved with visitors. Young Whippets, the AKC says, are smart, agile and mischievous, and can jump and climb, so they need safe confinement when unsupervised.
How big do Whippets get?
The AKC lists male Whippets at 19 to 22 inches tall and females at 18 to 21 inches, with a weight of 25 to 40 pounds. They look like a smaller Greyhound, with a deep chest, trim waist, long arched neck and the classic S-shaped sighthound outline.
A healthy Whippet looks lean. The AKC says a mature adult should show two to four visible vertebrae and should not have hipbones sunk in fat, and warns that a correctly weighted Whippet will look skinny to people used to heavier breeds.
Whippet lifespan and common health issues
The AKC gives a Whippet lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and says the Whippet frame is not suited to carrying excess weight; lifelong portion control at the correct weight helps keep a Whippet healthy for longer.
The AKC recommends a cardiac exam, an eye exam and BAER hearing testing for breeding dogs. VCA explains that cataracts cloud the lens and, when advanced, can affect vision. Ask breeders for those results. Thin skin tears easily during fast play, so check for cuts after runs, and see your vet about any wound that gapes or bleeds steadily.
Exercise needs
Whippets are sprinters. The AKC suggests several vigorous retrieving sessions a week with a ball or flying disc, regular walks, or play with another dog in a safely fenced area. Lure coursing and agility are healthy outlets too.
Always keep a Whippet on leash outside a fenced area, the AKC warns; a sighthound that spots a squirrel can reach top speed before you call its name. After a good run, most Whippets are content to sleep for hours.
Grooming and shedding
The short, smooth coat needs little more than weekly brushing and the occasional bath, according to the AKC, which rates grooming needs one out of five and shedding two out of five.
Check the ears regularly for infection and trim nails often if they do not wear down naturally. Brush the teeth regularly. With little body fat and a thin coat, many Whippets need a coat or sweater in cold weather and soft, padded beds to protect bony joints.
Training a Whippet
The AKC recommends early socialization and puppy classes. Trainability is three out of five; Whippets learn readily but can be sensitive and easily distracted by movement, so short, upbeat, reward-based sessions work best.
Put extra work into recall, practiced in a fenced area with high-value rewards, but accept that a sighthound's chase instinct can override training. Teach a settle on a bed, and use a well-fitted martingale collar or harness that a narrow head cannot slip.
Are Whippets good with kids and other pets?
The AKC rates the Whippet five out of five with young children and with other dogs, and their gentle, quiet nature makes them good family companions. Teach children not to chase the dog or play rough games that end in sprints indoors.
Small animals are another matter. As sighthounds, many Whippets will chase cats, rabbits and squirrels. Some live peacefully with a cat they grew up with, but supervise introductions and never assume an outdoor cat is safe.
What a Whippet needs at home
Useful kit includes a secure fence, a martingale collar or snug dog harness, a padded bed and blankets, a coat or dog sweater for cold days, a soft dog brush or rubber mitt, nail clippers and lure or fetch toys. A crate helps keep a mischievous youngster safe.
Book a vet visit soon after bringing your Whippet home and ask about a healthy target weight, since a fit Whippet looks thinner than many people expect.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
How long do Whippets live?
The AKC lists a Whippet lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Lifelong portion control at a lean weight, safe exercise and regular vet checks help a Whippet stay healthy into old age.
How big does a Whippet get?
Males stand 19 to 22 inches and females 18 to 21 inches, with a weight of 25 to 40 pounds, according to the AKC. They are slim, light sighthounds.
Are Whippets good family dogs?
Yes, for most families. The AKC rates them top marks with children and other dogs, and they are calm and quiet indoors, though they need safe, fenced places to run.
Do Whippets shed?
Only a little. The AKC rates shedding two out of five, and a weekly brush with a soft brush or rubber mitt keeps the short coat tidy.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
