Dog breed · Hound (sighthound)
Whippet
Gentle, quiet, affectionate
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 11–18 kg (24–40 lb)
- Height
- 44–56 cm (17–22 in)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Origin
- England
By Maya HartThe coat
Short · Patches
Stroke it to see how it lies.
At a glance
Are Whippets right for you?
You will love
- Gentle and patient with children
- Copes well in a flat
- Sheds little
- Next to no grooming
- Quiet
Be ready for
- May not share a home happily with other pets
- Several inherited health problems — choose a breeder who screens
How big, really
Adult Whippets weigh 11–18 kg (24–40 lb). Shoulder height shown at the top of the range.
About the Whippet
Whippets are sprinters, not marathon runners: a couple of joyful bursts of top speed, then a long sleep under a blanket. Indoors they are quiet, gentle and very cuddly, which surprises people who expect a racing dog to be hyperactive.
Their strong chase instinct means small furries and cats outdoors may be seen as prey, and recall can fail when something runs. Their thin skin tears easily on brambles and wire, and they feel the cold. Whippets rarely bark and suit flats well, as long as they get a daily run.
Health to know about
- Skin tears and cuts — thin skin
- Sensitivity to cold
- Heart murmurs and valve disease
- Eye conditions
- Sensitivity to some anaesthetic drugs
Care in short
- A coat in cold weather
- A safe place to sprint off lead, away from roads
- Soft bedding
- Wide collar or harness
Kit for a Whippet
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Best for short coats
Rubber grooming mitt
4.3Soft rubber nubs pick up loose hair and double as a massage.
- Works wet or dry
- Most pets enjoy it
Best for walks
Padded no-pull harness
4.5Front clip discourages pulling without pressure on the throat.
- Four adjustment points
- Reflective trim
Best for chewers
Natural rubber chew toy
4.6Tough, bouncy and stuffable; freeze it with food for longer.
- Several sizes
- Dishwasher safe
Similar breeds
| Trait | Whippet |  Staffordshire Bull TerrierCompare |
 French BulldogCompare |
 Shiba InuCompare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 11–18 kg (24–40 lb) | 11–17 kg (24–37 lb) | 8–14 kg (18–31 lb) | 8–11 kg (18–24 lb) |
| Energy | 3/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good with children | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Shedding | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs | 1/5 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Trainability | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Questions owners ask
How big does a Whippet get?
Adults usually weigh 11–18 kg (24–40 lb) and stand 44–56 cm (17–22 in) tall.
How long do Whippets live?
Typically 12–15 years.
Are Whippets good with children?
Generally very good (4 out of 5 on our scale). Every dog or cat is an individual; always supervise young children.
Do Whippets shed?
Not much.
What health problems are Whippets prone to?
Skin tears and cuts — thin skin; Sensitivity to cold; Heart murmurs and valve disease; Eye conditions; Sensitivity to some anaesthetic drugs.
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts