Whippet — breed guide
A 30-second sprinter and 23-hour couch potato. Quiet, clean and gentle; needs a coat in winter.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 11–19 kg (24–42 lb)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Short, fine coat
Living with a Whippet
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Almost no grooming.
- Light shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Very quiet.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Needs a coat in the cold.
Temperament
Calm · Affectionate · Quiet · Speedy
Health to watch
- Mitral valve disease
- Anesthesia sensitivity
- Eye disorders
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
Whippets accelerate faster than a racehorse over short sprints — then nap for the rest of the day.
Questions people ask
Is a Whippet good with kids?
Generally yes. Whippets are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Whippet good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Whippet need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a Whippet handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Whippet's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.