Whippet
Whippets, as most of us know them, are smooth and sleek. These lively and loving dogs are smaller than the greyhound yet they have a similar build. They have a sweet temperament and could be a great addition to any active family.
Breed Profile
Height
Male: 19-22
Female: 18 and 21
Inches
Weight
25-40
Pounds
Life Span
12-15
Years
Health
health
Heart Disease
What is it?
There are many forms of heart disease, but the one that most commonly occurs in whippets is that one of their heart valves will weaken and become deformed. The valve won’t be able to close all the way, and so blood will flow around it, which causes irritation in the heart.
Clinical signs:
Heart murmurs, cough, fluid buildup in abdomen and lungs, avoids/cannot exercise
Treatment:
Medication & Control of weight
Other risks:
Enlarged heart
Eligible vet bill
$8,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
What is it?
Progressive Retinal Atrophy leads to blindness. It’s genetically programmed in some breeds such as whippets. It doesn’t cause your pup pain, but there isn’t a treatment for it.
Clinical signs:
Difficulty seeing at night, dilated pupils, genetic testing.
Treatment:
Unknown
Other risks:
Cataracts
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Shy
They have a sweet temperament and could be a great addition to any active family.
Loving
They are very affectionate and love being with their family.
Energetic
Whippets are made for regular exercise and have a high energy level. They require daily exercise.
Child-friendly
They enjoy having someone to play with and are generally very peaceful with some affection.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Red heelers have a smooth double coat.
Colors
Fawn, blue, black, white, white and black, red,cream, blue fawn, blue brindle, fawn brindle, red brindle.
Hypoallergenic
No.
Grooming
Short-haired whippets require weekly brushing to remove dead hair.
Training
Whippets tend to be good at dog sports like agility, flyball and lure coursing.
Learn more about the cost of caring for a Whippet.
Whippet: Dog Breed Information Guide
Many know of the sleek and swift greyhound, but have you ever heard of the whippet? These lively and loving dogs are smaller than the greyhound yet they have a similar build. They have a sweet temperament and could be a great addition to any active family.
If you are wondering if the whippet would fit in well with your family, continue reading to learn more about this wonderful breed. As a prospective pet parent, you must learn about the breed you want to adopt, including their exercise needs and health conditions they might be prone to.
Whippets, also known as “snap dogs,” are a breed of dog that were named more recently, but they have been described and pictured in works from the Middle Ages. They resemble a small greyhound and were eventually mixed with some terrier breeds in England to produce a tougher dog. They were also later bred with the Italian greyhound.
Whippets became very popular among working-class English families since they didn’t require as much food as greyhounds. They were excellent hunters. As medium-sized dogs, they were often used for hunting down small game like rabbits. They’ve been called the poor man’s greyhound. Whippets are part of a group of hunting dogs known as sighthounds, which hunt primarily with their eyes.
In the late 19th century, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized them as an official breed. There was some debate about whether wirehaired whippets were a separate breed from the normal smooth-coated whippets, but they were eventually included.
As pet parents ourselves, we at Spot Pet Insurance understand what a huge responsibility it can be to care for any furry family member, whether dog or cat. We want to equip you to help you be the best pet parent you can be by providing you with useful resources and information.
Whippets can make great companions for many dog owners, but do you have the time to invest in these lovable dogs? Read on to find out.
What are the two types of Whippet?
Most whippets people see are the smooth, short coat ones, but did you know that there are whippets with longer fur? These whippets are known as wirehaired whippets.
Whippets, as most of us know them, are smooth and sleek. Wirehaired whippets have long, coarse fur. They were once considered their own breed of dog but were eventually brought into the whippet fold.
Unfortunately for wirehaired whippets, they don’t fit into the breed standard set by the AKC, so they can’t become show dogs. The smooth-haired whippet is elegant and sleek, but the wirehaired whippet has a lovable scruffy look.
What is the personality of the whippet like?
Are whippets easy to get along with?
Whippets are very sweet dogs. They are very affectionate and love being with their family. They are loyal. If they could choose, they would probably spend all day just hanging out with you.
What kind of temperament do whippets have?
Whippets do need a lot of exercise, but they also enjoy relaxing after a long day. They are calm and laid back, with an easy temperament.
Are whippets easy to train?
Whippets are obedient pups. Although they may not learn quite as quickly as other breeds, they will do their best to listen and learn. They are extremely loyal and respond to love with love.
Are whippets good with children?
If you have children in your home, one of the most important questions to consider is whether whippets get along well with children. How much chaos, poking and prodding can they take?
Whippets are actually very good with children. They enjoy having someone to play with and are generally very peaceful with some affection. They may have a bit more difficulty with children that are extremely boisterous; it is not very likely for them to become aggressive toward kids.
How are whippets with other dogs?
Whippets tend to be very good with other dogs, especially since they love having someone to play with.
However, if you have other small animals at home like cats or rabbits, a whippet might not be the best choice for you. They have a high prey drive that might be dangerous to your other pets.
Do whippets interact well with strangers?
Whippets might be very affectionate toward their family, but they are a little more reserved with strangers. Most whippets aren’t really the types of pups to jump on any new person who comes into the house in excitement.
That said, they’re not exactly guard dogs, either. They might bark at a stranger but aren’t likely to protect your home.
How to care for Whippets
What is a whippet’s coat like?
Standard whippets have short, smooth coats without an undercoat. They don’t do very well in cold weather. This also has to do with their low level of body fat. They don’t shed very much. wirehaired whippets have longer coats that require regular brushing.
Whippet coat colors:
Fawn, blue, black, white, white and black, red,cream, blue fawn, blue brindle, fawn brindle, red brindle.
Are whippets hypoallergenic?
No, they are not.
What are a whippet’s grooming needs?
Short-haired whippets require weekly brushing to remove dead hair
What are the potential health conditions for whippets?
Whippets can also be prone to:
Deafness
Hip dysplasia
Other eye defects
How to be the best pet parent for a whippet?
Whippets are lovable creatures that are pretty easy to care for in some ways, especially if you love being active. They are loyal and love spending time with you, and their family. They deserve the best pet parenting that you can give them.
Every pet has different needs, so it’s important to understand the breed you’re looking into before making such a big commitment.
Basic training and behavior etiquette for your dog
As with all dogs, it’s wise to give the whippet obedience training. This will help you keep your pup from running away with you when you go for a run. It might also help your whippet keep their mind active.
Whippets tend to be good at dog sports like agility, flyball and lure coursing. You might consider training your pup to participate.
Younger whippets tend to be a little mischievous and will do their best to escape your yard or home if left unsupervised. It’s a good idea to keep them in a suitably sized kennel if you’re unable to keep an eye on them.
Socialization is another key aspect of training. It’s a good idea to introduce your dog to new people, places and pups to help them learn how to interact with the world around them. It helps their friendly nature to flourish.
What type of foods should a whippet never eat?
Some dog breeds have specific types of food that are toxic to them that aren’t toxic to other dogs, but the whippet isn’t one of them. Your whippet can have allergies or sensitivities to different food, but it isn’t as likely as other breeds.
There are some foods that all dogs should avoid, so we’ve listed some:
Exercising tips to keep your dog to stay fit and healthy
Whippets, as hunting dogs, are made for regular exercise and have a high energy level. They require daily exercise, but there are many ways that you can provide this for them. The main option is to go on a walk or run with them. Because they are sprinters, they can only run in short bursts. You should pace both yourself and your pup if you decide to go for a run.
Other types of exercise you can try are playing catch or fetch. Maybe you could invite a doggy friend over or take them to the dog park. Whippets do well playing in enclosed spaces. You would just need to make sure there is no way for them to get out.
Whippet life stages
Puppy: 0 to 12 months
Adult dogs: One-10 years
Senior: 10 years to end of life