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AKC: Whippet breed overview

Hound group · England

Whippet

Also called Snap Dog, English Whippet

Built for 55 km/h sprints, yet happiest curled under a blanket for most of the day.

Bred in northern England to race and catch rabbits, the Whippet turns out to be one of the calmest dogs you can share a sofa with. Indoors it is quiet, clean and gentle, and it asks for surprisingly little. Outside, the urge to chase anything small and fast never switches off, and every decision about walks has to allow for that.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

9 to 16 kg

20 to 35 lb

Height

44 to 56 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

14 months

approximate model input

Life with a Whippet

Nobody knows exactly when the Whippet first appeared, but by the nineteenth century it was firmly established among mill and mine workers in the north of England. Small Greyhound-type dogs were probably crossed with terriers to create a dog that could catch rabbits for the pot during the week and race on Sunday afternoons. In rag racing, owners stood at the finish line waving a cloth, and the dogs sprinted toward it from around 180 m (200 yards) away.

The Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1890, and its outline has changed remarkably little since. Think of a Greyhound scaled down: deep chest, arched loin, long neck and a light, springing stride.

What surprises new owners is how little a Whippet does at home. After a few flat-out runs it will sleep for hours, preferably under a blanket or pressed against your side. It rarely barks, is gentle with people and tends to be polite with other dogs. The same dog can become a single-minded hunter the instant a squirrel crosses a field, and that contrast is the heart of living with one.

What stands out

Training

Whippets are intelligent but not especially keen to repeat themselves for your benefit. They learn fast with short, lively sessions and tasty food, and lose interest with drilling. Pressure and sharp words make them withdraw.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

calm households that want a quiet dog indoors
apartment dwellers with access to safe running space
owners who want a clean, low-odor dog
families with gentle children

Think twice if

strong chase instinct toward cats, squirrels and rabbits
recall that fails when prey appears
needs coats and warm bedding in cold weather
thin skin prone to cuts and tears
sensitive to rough handling and noisy homes

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Whippet eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	11 kg	590 kcal	160 g (1.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	11 kg	680 kcal	185 g (1.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	14 kg	790 kcal	215 g (2.3 cups)
Male, very active	14 kg	990 kcal	265 g (2.8 cups)

Full Whippet feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Whippet

FeedingA healthy Whippet looks thinner than most owners expect: you should see the outline of two or three ribs and the points of the hip bones. 25 cups, suits a typical 13 kg adult, split into two meals.Read more Puppy growthWhippet puppies grow quickly and look gangly between four and eight months, often with legs that seem too long for the body. Most reach full height at 10 to 12 months and fill out by 14 to 18 months.Read more ExerciseQuality matters more than duration with this breed. A daily total of 45 to 60 minutes is enough for most adults, provided it includes the chance to sprint flat out a few times a week in a securely fenced field, a hired dog paddock or at a lure coursing club.Read more GroomingFew coats are easier. A quick rub with a rubber mitt or grooming glove once a week removes loose hairs, shedding is light, and most owners notice that their Whippet barely smells even when wet.Read more HealthAmong purebred dogs, Whippets have a good health record, but heart valve disease, some inherited eye conditions and congenital deafness in heavily white dogs are all known in the breed. Like other sighthounds, they carry little body fat and can respond differently to some anesthetic drugs, so make sure your vet knows the breed before any procedure.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Can reach around 56 km/h (35 mph) and accelerates faster than almost any breed its size
2Often called the poor man's racehorse, after the working-class racing tradition that shaped it
3Carries very little body fat, so it feels the cold and loves a padded bed
4Has almost no doggy odor and sheds lightly
5Any color or pattern is accepted in the breed standard
6Thin skin tears more easily than in most breeds, often on fences or brambles

Whippet questions

Can Whippets live with cats?

Many do, particularly when raised with a cat from puppyhood. A Whippet often learns that its own cat is family while still chasing strange cats outdoors. Introduce adult Whippets to cats slowly, on a lead, with the cat able to reach high ground. Never assume that peace in the living room means safety in the garden, where the chase instinct runs much stronger.

What is the difference between a Whippet and an Italian Greyhound?

Size is the obvious one. An Italian Greyhound weighs around 3.5 to 5 kg and is classed as a toy breed, while a Whippet is two to three times heavier and was bred for racing and rabbiting. Italian Greyhounds have finer bones that break more easily and tend to be more vocal. Whippets are sturdier and usually more laid-back at home.

Is it normal for a Whippet to shiver?

Often, yes. With almost no fat and a very thin coat, Whippets shiver in weather other dogs find mild, and some tremble with excitement before a walk. A coat, a fleece-lined bed and a blanket to burrow under usually solve it. If your Whippet shivers in a warm room, seems painful, or is also off its food, call your vet.

Are Whippets good for first-time owners?

They can be a very good fit. Whippets are quiet, clean and easy to live with indoors, and their exercise needs are moderate. The learning curve is the chase instinct: secure fencing, a firm lead habit near roads and realistic expectations about off-lead freedom. A first-time owner who accepts those limits usually finds the breed very rewarding.

Do Whippets bark?

Rarely. Most make very little noise, and plenty of owners say they hear a bark only a handful of times a year. They are useless as watchdogs. Some make a playful grumble or a soft 'roo' when they want attention. A Whippet that barks a lot is usually bored or anxious rather than guarding anything.

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