Personality
Whippets are affectionate, gentle, and somewhat reserved with strangers - which is to say they're not going to launch themselves at visitors the way a Labrador might, but they're warm and devoted with their own people. They're generally excellent with children and often good with other dogs, though some have a prey drive that makes small animals complicated.
They're sensitive dogs, both physically and temperamentally. They don't respond well to harsh handling - a Whippet who's shouted at will shut down and become unreliable to work with. Positive reinforcement, patience, and consistency work much better.
Indoors, Whippets are calm. Very calm. If "calm" is your primary criterion for a house dog, a Whippet will exceed your expectations while simultaneously occupying the best seat in the room and somehow acquiring all the blankets. They sleep a great deal between bursts of outdoor activity, which makes them better suited to a relaxed household than their racing background might suggest.
Exercise
Whippets need less exercise than you'd expect from a sighthound. An hour to ninety minutes daily is adequate for most adults, but it must include opportunities for off-lead running. A Whippet who can sprint flat out for a few minutes is a much more settled dog than one who's only ever walked on lead - they have a genuine need to use their speed, and walking doesn't meet it.
Enclosed areas are ideal: a Whippet running at full speed is fast (up to 56 km/h) and has a strong chase instinct when something triggers it. Road sense is not a Whippet strength. A securely fenced field or dog park is the right environment for off-lead time.
Recall is variable, particularly when prey drive is activated. Train it thoroughly and be realistic about when to use a longline.
Weight and Feeding
Healthy adult weight is 12–18 kg depending on sex and build. Whippets are naturally lean - their ribs should be visible or very easily felt, and this is normal for the breed. Don't mistake the correct Whippet body condition for being underweight.
The lean build comes with low body fat, which means Whippets feel the cold acutely and can chill quickly in wet or cold weather. A coat or jumper on winter walks isn't pampered - it's practical.
Health
Whippets are generally a healthy breed with fewer heritable conditions than many others. There are a few things worth knowing.
Anaesthesia sensitivity is significant and should be mentioned to any vet before any procedure. Like all sighthounds, Whippets metabolise certain anaesthetic drugs differently from other breeds due to their lean body mass and low body fat. Experienced vets know this and use sighthound-appropriate protocols; it's still worth explicitly flagging at every anaesthetic procedure.
Cardiac issues including dilated cardiomyopathy occur at low rates in the breed, less commonly than in Dobermanns or Great Danes. Annual auscultation as part of a wellness check is sensible in middle age. Track Dilated Cardiomyopathy →
Eye conditions - including hereditary cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy - are occasionally seen in Whippets. Eye examinations by a BVA-registered ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding dogs. Track Cataracts → Track Progressive Retinal Atrophy →
Skin sensitivity comes with the territory - thin skin, close-cropped coat, low body fat. Whippets cut and scrape more easily than padded breeds, and injuries should be checked and kept clean. Lacerations around the legs from undergrowth are common in dogs who run through rough terrain.
Bloat (GDV) risk exists in any deep-chested breed, though Whippets are less commonly affected than breeds like Great Danes or German Shepherds. Learn the signs regardless. Track Bloat (GDV) →
Cold intolerance isn't a disease but it's a genuine management consideration. Whippets become visibly uncomfortable in cold or wet weather. A waterproof, warm coat for outdoor time in winter and a dry environment indoors are not optional extras.
Grooming
Almost no grooming is required. The short, fine coat needs a weekly wipe-down with a damp cloth or a brief brush with a rubber grooming mitt. They shed minimally and don't have the typical "dog smell" of longer-coated breeds.
Ears should be checked monthly. Nails should be kept short - a Whippet who doesn't walk on hard surfaces regularly may need more frequent nail trims than a road-walked dog.
Common Conditions to Watch
- Skin injuries: check after off-lead runs in rough terrain
- Cold stress: watch for shivering, reluctance to go outside in winter
- Weight: ribs naturally visible is normal; unexpected weight loss or gain is worth noting
- Eye changes: any cloudiness, discharge, or apparent vision changes
- Cardiac: note any exercise intolerance or coughing, especially from middle age
- Anaesthesia: always alert your vet before any procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Whippets good for flat-living? Yes - they're among the better medium-sized breeds for smaller homes. They're calm indoors, relatively quiet, and don't demand constant attention. The requirement is getting them genuine off-lead running time daily. A Whippet in a flat with good exercise is fine; a Whippet in a house with no off-lead exercise is not.
Can Whippets be left alone? Reasonably, yes - more so than many velcro breeds. Most adapt to being alone for moderate periods without anxiety, though every dog is an individual. They do form close bonds with their families and prefer company to solitude.
Do Whippets get on with cats? Some do, others don't. A Whippet raised with cats from puppyhood usually learns to treat them as family. A Whippet introduced to cats as an adult may always see them as prey. Introductions should be careful and gradual, and the cat always needs a guaranteed escape route.
Why can't Whippets have normal anaesthesia? Their lean body mass means standard doses of certain anaesthetic drugs (particularly barbiturates like thiopental) accumulate in their system more than in dogs with normal body fat ratios. Sighthound-appropriate protocols are well-established - vets who regularly treat these breeds know them. The key is flagging the breed before any procedure.
How much do Whippets actually sprint? A short, intense run - 30 seconds to a few minutes at full pace - satisfies the speed requirement. They're sprinters, not endurance runners. The rest of the exercise time can be normal walking or socialising. Off-lead in an enclosed space for that brief sprint is the priority.