🧠 Temperament
Whippets are gentle, sensitive, and affectionate. They are quiet dogs, rarely barking without reason, and tend to be calm and well-mannered indoors. They form close bonds with their family and are generally good with children and other dogs. Their sighthound instinct means they have a high prey drive and will chase small animals including cats, particularly outdoors. They are sensitive to harsh treatment and correction; positive reinforcement is the only effective training approach.
🏥 Health considerations
Whippets are one of the healthiest of all medium breeds with relatively few genetic conditions. They are sensitive to anesthetic due to their low body fat, which must be noted for any surgical procedures. They can be prone to cardiac arrhythmias and, in some lines, Whippet Myopathy (a muscle condition in homozygous bully dogs). Their thin skin and low body fat also mean they feel the cold acutely and benefit from a coat in winter.
🏃 Exercise needs
Whippets need 1–1.5 hours of daily exercise but importantly need opportunities to sprint, lure coursing, secure off-leash fields, and fetch in large spaces. After their sprint, they are genuinely happy to spend the rest of the day on the sofa. They should never be off-lead in unsecured areas due to their prey drive and their speed, they can disappear in seconds.
✂️ Grooming
The short single coat is as low-maintenance as it gets, a weekly wipe with a damp cloth or soft brush. They shed minimally. However, their thin skin bruises and cuts easily and minor injuries should be checked after outdoor exercise.
🍽️ Feeding your Whippet
A 14 kg Whippet with moderate activity needs approximately 280–360 kcal per day. They can appear thin due to their naturally lean build, this is normal for the breed. Do not overfeed trying to 'fill them out.'