If you want a furry companion that will quickly become your best friend, then Whippets are the right dog breed for you. They are medium-sized dogs that require very little maintenance but love running around and staying active. Whippet dogs are also known for their friendly nature and are one of the most popular family dog breeds. They enjoy being around kids, making this breed the ideal house pet. Keep reading to learn more facts about this breed.
Key specifications of a Whippet:
Here are a few basic factors to know about a Whippet before you bring one home:
Weight | 11 to 18 kg |
Height | 18 to 22 inches |
Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
Coat | Single coat |
Note: The weight and height mentioned on the table is of a full-grown Whippet and not of a Whippet puppy.
Physical appearance of Whippets
Whippets are known for their smooth and close coat. Moreover, their coats are fine, yet dense and come in a variety of beautiful colours, such as:
- Blue
- Blue brindle
- Blue fawn
- Fawn
- Fawn brindle
- White
- White and red
- Red
- White and fawn
- Red brindle
- Sable
- Black
- Black brindle
- While and blue fawn
- White and sable
- White and black
- White and blue
- Cream
- White and blue brindle
- White and fawn brindle
- White and red brindle
If you come across a dun-coloured (chocolatey golden tan) Whippet, consider yourself lucky since this is the rarest colour ever found on a Whippet’s coat.
Whippet dogs are often mistaken for Greyhounds. While there are many similarities between the two breeds, you can tell them apart by their sizes. Whippets are shorter than Greyhounds but their appearance, especially ears, may confuse people. To make sure you’re bringing a purebred Whippet puppy home, look out for these features:
- Rose ears that are folded, not erect
- Solid colour noses ranging from dark blue to black
- Long and tapered tail with a slight upward curve
Whippet personality traits
Whippets love being around people and are extremely friendly around strangers and guests. This is why Whippet dogs cannot be trusted as guard dogs – they rarely bite, bark, or chase away intruders. This breed loves being around kids and will quickly become their best friend. Their friendly nature is also a reason why they make amazing therapy dogs for hospitals and other medical establishments.
Whippet puppies and dogs are extremely playful. They are always running or thinking about running. After all, they were bred to hunt, chase, and race. These smart dogs also crave mental stimulation, so make sure you play with them plenty. Whippets get along perfectly well with other pets but sometimes, their natural tendency to chase might act up around felines.
Do Whippets need training?
While training Whippet puppies is important, you may not be able to start with obedience training right away. This breed is a little stubborn and you will have to figure out what works for them. That being said, this breed is sensitive in nature, and you will have to be gentle while training them. Whippet dogs are smart, if they don’t like something, they will easily avoid it (which could also be your training plan for them). Shower your Whippet with praises and use toys and dog treats to get them to cooperate.
Socialising your Whippet dog at an early age is highly recommended, so it can control its natural tendency to hunt and chase, especially around other smaller pets.
How to care for Whippets?
Here’s how you can care for your Whippet dog:
The average Whippet lifespan is around 12 to 15 years. While this breed is athletic and generally healthy, there are some diseases that can affect them. Along with checking for genetic conditions, pet parents should also keep testing for health conditions such as blindness, deafness, and thyroid problems.
Bathe your Whippet puppy and groom its nails every four to six weeks. You can use rubber gloves or a soft bristle brush to remove any dead hair and maintain its skin. Ideally, Whippets should get their teeth brushed daily, but Whippet puppies can start with a few times a week.
Whippet dogs have a high prey drive and need to run around for at least an hour. Avoid taking your Whippet to the dog park for runs since their natural tendency to chase may kick in and cause trouble for other pets. You can also enrol your floof for dog sports like lure coursing and agility.
Whippets do well with a balanced and nutritious diet and there are many high-quality commercial dog food formulas to choose from. Consult a veterinarian if you want to follow a proper meal plan set according to your floof’s age and medical history.
A brief history of Whippets
Whippets did not receive their name until the mid-1800s. This breed appeared in sculptures and paintings throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance and was originally bred to hunt rabbits in open fields. They are also known as “the poor man’s Greyhound” because of their resemblance to Greyhounds.
