Whippet
Amiable, gentle, and quiet at home, the Whippet loves to join its people on the couch and openly show how much it adores them. Lightning quick and streamlined, it is a dignified companion that comes alive when given something to chase.
19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female); 25-40 pounds
12-15 years
quiet
short, close, smooth with a firm texture; any color
Lightning quick with a strong prey drive; quiet and well-behaved indoors; suited to lure coursing
Sighthound
Temperament
Whippets are quiet, gentle, and well-behaved indoors. They love to join their people on the couch and will keep the couch warm when their people aren't sitting on it. They are friendly to visitors and are not a watchdog. They are amiable, dignified, and show openly how much they adore their owners. One quirk to expect: many Whippets greet their people with wild, exuberant displays when they return, even from absences of only ten minutes.
Outside the home, a Whippet's prey drive takes over the moment he spots a small animal, so he must be kept on leash or in a securely fenced area. He is lightning quick and loves to chase. For training, short, positive sessions with edible rewards work best; repetitive drills tend to lose his interest. Lure coursing is a natural fit, capitalizing on his speed and prey drive rather than competing in obedience.
“He is an amiable, dignified, and gentle soul, but give him something to chase and he's all business.”
American Kennel Club
Daily needs and attention
A Whippet is a quiet, gentle companion at home who loves to settle on the couch with its people. Grooming is minimal: a weekly brushing with a hound glove or small brush, weekly pedicures and ear cleanings, and baths as needed. The short, smooth coat makes the Whippet what enthusiasts call the ultimate wash-and-go dog.
Outside the home, a leash or fenced yard is essential. The moment a small animal appears, the dog's prey drive takes over and it will chase. Daily exercise should include a chance to run, which is when the breed truly comes alive.
Training works best in short, positive sessions with edible rewards. Monotonous, repetitive drills tend to lose the Whippet's interest. Lure coursing is a natural fit, capitalizing on the breed's speed and prey drive.
The Whippet is friendly to visitors and shows affection openly, so it thrives on regular human contact.
“He is an amiable, dignified, and gentle soul, but give him something to chase and he's all business.”
AKC
Health and lifespan
Whippets typically live 12 to 15 years, which places them in the longer-lived range for medium-sized dogs. They stand 19 to 22 inches tall and weigh between 25 and 40 pounds, making them a manageable size for most homes.
As with any purebred dog, Whippets carry a small number of genetic health considerations. The most commonly noted are sebaceous adenitis, a condition affecting hair follicles and oil glands; progressive retinal atrophy and other eye problems; and heart defects. Responsible breeders screen parents with CERF clearances and skin evaluations before breeding, so asking an adoption organization about the dog's health history is a sensible first step.
Day-to-day care is straightforward. The short, smooth coat needs only a weekly brushing with a hound glove or small brush, along with weekly pedicures and ear cleanings. Baths are needed only as needed. For a working household, this low-maintenance grooming routine is one of the breed's practical strengths.
“Like all purebred dogs, the Whippet has a few genetic health issues.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Habits and behavior
A Whippet is quiet, gentle, and well-behaved inside the house. He loves to join his people on the couch and will keep the spot warm when they are not sitting on it. He is friendly to visitors and is not afraid to show how much he adores his owners. Many Whippets greet their people with wild displays of exuberance after absences of ten minutes or more.
Outside the home, a Whippet must be kept on leash or in a fenced area. The moment he sees a small animal, his prey drive supersedes any and all human attachments. A secure yard or consistent leashing is essential.
Training works best in short, positive sessions with edible rewards. Monotonous, repetitive exercises are not his style. Lure coursing is a natural fit, capitalizing on his speed and prey drive.
Grooming is minimal: a weekly brushing with a hound glove or small brush, weekly pedicures and ear cleanings, and baths as needed.
“He is an amiable, dignified, and gentle soul, but give him something to chase and he's all business.”
AKC
Housing: apartment, house, yard and crate
A Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound, standing 19 to 22 inches and weighing 20 to 40 pounds, so a standard apartment or house is a suitable fit. Inside the home, most Whippets are quiet, gentle, and well-behaved. They love to join their people on the couch and will keep the spot warm when their people are not sitting on it. They are friendly to visitors and do not serve as watchdogs.
A yard requires a secure fence. The moment a Whippet sees a small animal, his prey drive supersedes any and all human attachments, so an unfenced outdoor space is not safe. A leash is necessary for any time outdoors without a barrier.
For crate use, the dog's medium size means a standard adult crate will fit comfortably. Whippets are content resting indoors with their people, so a crate can serve as a quiet resting space during work hours. Their short, smooth coat needs only weekly brushing, keeping grooming demands low in a smaller living space.
“Outside the house, care must be taken to keep a Whippet on leash or in a fenced area.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Challenges
A Whippet's speed and prey drive are part of what makes the breed so distinctive, but they also shape the practical demands of daily life. The moment a Whippet sees a small animal, his prey drive supersedes any and all human attachments, so a secure leash or a well-fenced yard is non-negotiable. For a household where someone is away from home for long stretches, the breed's tendency toward exuberant greeting behavior means the dog may greet a 10-minute absence with wild excitement. Training works best in short, positive sessions with edible rewards; monotonous repetition tends to lose a Whippet's interest. Health-wise, prospective adopters should be aware of genetic concerns including sebaceous adenitis, progressive retinal atrophy, and heart defects, and should plan for regular veterinary screening. Grooming is minimal, but weekly brushing, nail trims, and ear cleanings keep the coat and skin in good shape.
“That's because the moment a Whippet sees a small animal, his prey drive supersedes any and all human attachments.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
The fun part
A Whippet's joy is easy to spot. Inside the house, they love to join their people on the couch and will keep the spot warm when you are not sitting on it. They are friendly to visitors and are not afraid to show how much they adore their owners. The American Whippet Club notes that many Whippets display what it calls 'Excessive Greeting Disorder,' with wild shows of exuberance when their owners return from absences of ten minutes or more.
Outside, the fun is speed. A Whippet is lightning quick, and give him something to chase and he is all business. Whippet enthusiasts suggest lure coursing, a sport that capitalizes on the breed's speed and prey drive.
For a working household, the daily upkeep is straightforward. The Whippet is the ultimate wash-and-go dog. A weekly brushing with a hound glove or small brush, weekly pedicures and ear cleanings, plus baths as needed, keep the coat looking its best.
“He is an amiable, dignified, and gentle soul, but give him something to chase and he's all business.”
AKC
Living with kids, cats and other dogs
Whippets are quiet, gentle, and well-behaved inside the house. They love to join their people on the couch and are friendly to visitors, which suits a home with children or frequent guests. Their amiable, dignified temperament makes them a calm indoor companion.
The consideration that requires honest planning is the Whippet's relationship to small animals. The moment a Whippet sees a small animal, his prey drive supersedes any and all human attachments. A household cat or small pet therefore needs careful, supervised introductions and ongoing management. Outdoors, a Whippet must be kept on leash or in a securely fenced area.
For a working household, this means the Whippet needs a secure yard or a consistent routine for controlled outdoor time. The source material does not address Whippet-to-other-dog dynamics specifically, so an individual dog's history with canine companions is worth asking about before bringing him home.
“That's because the moment a Whippet sees a small animal, his prey drive supersedes any and all human attachments.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
What to ask the rescue
Ask the rescue about the Whippet's health screening history, specifically whether the dog has been evaluated for sebaceous adenitis, progressive retinal atrophy, and heart defects, and whether CERF clearances are on file. Inquire about the dog's prey drive in practical terms: has the Whippet been observed around small animals, and does the rescue recommend a fenced yard or strict leash use? Ask how the dog responds to short, positive training sessions with edible rewards, and whether the rescue has any notes on the dog's comfort level with visitors or other pets. Confirm the Whippet's current weight and daily exercise routine, since the breed is built for speed and ranges from 20 to 40 pounds. Finally, ask about the dog's grooming history and whether the short coat has been checked for any skin concerns.
“Among the most worrisome are sebaceous adenitis (a disease characterized by degenerating hair follicles and oil glands), progressive retinal atrophy and other eye problems, and heart defects.”
VCA Animal Hospitals