🐕 Medium · United Kingdom (England)
A calm, affectionate sighthound that is remarkably relaxed at home but needs safe, open space for short bursts of sprinting.
Whippets are gentle, affectionate, and surprisingly calm indoors, almost couch-potato-like. Their hunting instinct is nonetheless strong, so they can react reflexively to small animals and fast movement. Toward people they are usually friendly and rarely aggressive.
The Whippet needs regular opportunities for free, controlled sprinting — for example on fenced ground or at coursing events — combined with calmer walks. After a short burst of intense activity, he is content and relaxes for a long time.
The short, dense coat is low-maintenance and needs only occasional rubbing with a grooming glove or soft brush. Because of the low body-fat percentage, the breed chills quickly in cold weather and often needs a coat in winter.
Whippets are good-natured and easy to handle, making them suitable for beginners too. A securely fenced exercise area is important, since the hunting drive can be hard to control off leash.
Because of the low body-fat percentage, the breed is sensitive to certain anesthetics and drug dosages, which should be flagged to the vet before any procedure. Visible ribs are normal and not a sign of being underweight; eye disorders occur occasionally.
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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.
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