Whippet
The Whippet is the fastest domesticated animal of its weight — capable of reaching 56 km/h (35 mph) in a sprint.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
11–18 kg (25–40 lbs)
Height
44–51 cm (17–20 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — active breed kibble; maintain very lean build; the slender sighthound frame is normal, not underweight
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Whippet is the fastest domesticated animal of its weight — capable of reaching 56 km/h (35 mph) in a sprint. A medium-sized sighthound developed in 19th-century England from Greyhounds crossed with terriers, the Whippet was the racing dog of the working class, run in straight races on coursing fields across northern England. They are sometimes called "the poor man's racehorse." Despite their explosive speed and athletic capability, Whippets at home are among the most gentle, quiet, and affectionate of all breeds — supremely adaptable paradoxes of extreme athleticism and domestic tranquillity.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Whippet's body is a masterpiece of aerodynamic design — a deep chest, narrow waist, muscular hindquarters, and a long, lean head on a graceful arched neck. The skin is thin and lies very close to the body with almost no subcutaneous fat — visible muscle definition and prominent ribs are normal for the breed. The coat is short, smooth, and comes in any colour or pattern.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Whippets are gentle, affectionate, and sensitive with their family. They are characteristically quiet indoors — content to spend hours on a sofa after a good run. Their sensitivity means they are not suited to harsh training methods or tense environments. They have a strong prey drive and should not be off-lead in unsecured areas. Despite their racing background, they adapt well to apartment life given sufficient daily exercise.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 30°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
trembling, hiding, tucked tail, freezing, clingy behaviour
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •One hour of vigorous daily exercise — a good run or sprint in a safely fenced area — combined with a relaxed home life suits Whippets perfectly. The very thin coat and minimal body fat make them extremely sensitive to cold; a coat is essential in cold weather. Their thin skin is also prone to cuts and abrasions during vigorous activity. The short coat requires almost no maintenance — weekly wipe-down.
Nutrition Notes
Lean build is normal — ribs should be visible. Do not overfeed to achieve a "normal" dog shape. Sighthound anaesthesia sensitivity — affects drug metabolism. Very efficient metabolism. Few dietary restrictions.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Sighthound anaesthesia protocol essential — standard doses can be fatal. Cardiac arrhythmias (normal in sighthounds — different heart rhythm). Mitral valve disease. Corneal dystrophy. Bully Whippet Syndrome (myostatin mutation — double muscling). "45 mph couch potato" — sprints then sleeps. Healthy breed, 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
900 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
600 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Whippets are among the healthiest and most long-lived medium breeds. Cardiac issues occur — dilated cardiomyopathy at lower rates than Greyhounds. Hypothyroidism is seen. They are sensitive to anaesthesia (like all sighthounds) due to low body fat for drug metabolism. Eye conditions occasionally occur. Generally robust and healthy.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Called the "poor man's Greyhound" historically — now a premium breed. Ideal apartment dog due to calm indoor demeanour. India: suits warm climate well, growing in popularity.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Whippet is pound-for-pound the fastest dog breed in the world — reaching 56 km/h from a standing start in seconds.
Whippets were called "snap dogs" in 19th-century England for their use in snap coursing — racing to snap up a rabbit within a measured distance rather than true coursing.
Whippets have unusually large hearts relative to their body size — an adaptation for speed that means they also have naturally very low resting heart rates that can alarm veterinarians unfamiliar with the breed.
