Whippet

The whippet is a British breed of sighthound (Whippet). It looks like a small greyhound and sits between the greyhound and the smaller Italian greyhound in size. It is a medium-sized dog with a sleek, aerodynamic body, a deep chest, long slender legs and a narrow, muscular build.

Ideal height is 44 to 47 cm for bitches and 47 to 51 cm for dogs. The coat is short, smooth and close-fitting with no undercoat. Colour is considered immaterial in judging, so whippets come in many colours and patterns, from solid black to solid white, including red, fawn, brindle, blue and cream.

Today the whippet is commonly kept as a companion dog, for showing or for amateur racing. It also takes part in dog sports such as lure coursing, agility and flyball.

Greyhound-type dogs in large, medium and small sizes are well documented in hunting manuals going back to the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, John Caius described the tumbler, a lesser sort of greyhound used as a warren dog for catching rabbits, which is connected to the whippet. In medieval England a small greyhound-type breed also became popular as a ratting dog.

The name comes from an early seventeenth-century word meaning to move briskly, and the first written use of whippet for a type of dog was in 1610. In the Victorian era the emerging modern breed was also called the snap-dog, because of its habit of snapping up nearby prey. It was developed for catching rabbits, coursing, straight racing and showing.

In the 19th century whippet racing was a popular sport in parts of England, and the dogs were nicknamed the poor man's racehorse. Early racing dogs were often not purebred, and many were part-terrier, part-greyhound or part-lurcher. A smooth-coated type, popular in Lancashire, Yorkshire and the Midlands, became the modern whippet. A rougher-coated type came from crossing with Bedlington terriers.

The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1891. Whippets later went on to win Best in Show at Crufts in 1992, 2004 and 2018.

Whippets are gentle, affectionate and calm. They are often quiet and reserved, content to relax for much of the day, and are described as quiet and dignified in the living room. Outdoors they show high energy, enjoying short, explosive sprints followed by long rests.

They form a strong bond with their owner and, like many breeds, can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. They are not prone to excessive barking, though they may occasionally sound off at intruders. Their gentle, often shy nature means they would rather retreat than confront danger.

Whippets have a highly developed prey drive, which can make them prone to chasing small animals such as cats, rabbits or squirrels. Their gentle manner still makes them a good fit for households with children or other pets.

The whippet is generally healthy, with a robust constitution and a structurally sound build. It is typically free from many hereditary conditions seen in more exaggerated breeds, and is not prone to frequent ear infections, skin allergies or digestive problems. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.4 years, compared with 12.7 years for purebreds overall and 12 years for crossbreeds.

Like other sighthounds, whippets are intolerant of barbiturate anaesthetics, partly because of their low body fat and a liver not well equipped to process them.

The whippet's heart is large and slow-beating and can sound irregular at rest. Cardiac issues are the second leading cause of death in the breed. Heart failure is particularly common in senior years, and mitral valve disease is one of the most common heart conditions. Many whippets have heart murmurs, and functional murmurs are common in healthy athletic dogs.

Genetic eye defects are quite rare but have been noted. Hip dysplasia is rare, with only 1.2% of 161 evaluations found dysplastic. A myostatin mutation can give dogs with two copies very large muscles, known as bully whippets. They have no significant extra health problems, though they may be slightly more prone to muscle cramps.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

How long do whippets live?

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.4 years. That is longer than the 12.7-year average for purebreds and the 12 years for crossbreeds.

Are whippets good family dogs?

Their gentle, affectionate nature makes them a good choice for households with children or other pets. Their strong prey drive can still make them prone to chasing small animals.

Do whippets shed a lot?

No, they have minimal shedding. The coat is short and smooth with no undercoat, and needs little grooming.

Are whippets noisy?

Whippets are not prone to excessive barking. They may occasionally vocalise when intruders are present, which makes them passable watchdogs.

Do whippets feel the cold?

Yes. Their short coat and low body fat leave them poorly insulated, so they are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures.

Do whippets get separation anxiety?

They can. Whippets bond strongly with their owner and, like many breeds, may suffer from separation anxiety when left alone.

The whippet has the fastest running speed of any dog in its weight and size range. It is believed to have the fastest idle-to-running acceleration of any dog.

Whippets can reach up to 56 km/h (35 mph) using a double suspension gallop, in which all four legs leave the ground twice in each stride.

Early whippet racing was known as ragging. Owners stood at the end of the track waving towels to draw the dogs towards them.

In 2019 The Kennel Club stopped accepting registrations for merle whippets, as merle is not a naturally occurring colour in the breed.