Whippet Breed Guide
Whippets are an elegant, fun-loving breed – whether you’re considering inviting one of these lovely pooches into your family or simply interested by their sophisticated behaviour, have a read on to find out if a Whippet is right for you!
Whippet Basics:
- Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
- Average Weight: 9 – 12kg
- Average Height: 44 – 51cm
- Coat Length: Short, Fine and Smooth
- Colouring: Fawn, Red, Orange, Tan, Cream, Black, Blue or Multi
- Shedding: Average, with a single coat, so not much fur falling out
A Brief History of Whippets
Whippets originated in England in the late 18th century, where the crossbreeding of small Greyhounds with various Terriers began. The word whippet was commonly used to label any quick moving small dog, but by the late 19th century, Whippets were officially recognised as a pure breed by the Kennel Club. The Whippet Club was formed in 1899 and was the first whippet breed club in the world, and since then, there’s now a wide number of clubs celebrating the breed, with Whippets being the most popular in the Hound Group!
Whippets were originally used for hunting vermin, which the Victorians then later developed into a sport. Whippet racing then became popular around the UK for many years. Whippets were later bred with Italian Greyhounds to give them their elegant look – and since have gone from hunters to beloved pets!
What Do Whippets Look Like?
Have you ever watched the little franchise, Harry Potter? Well, you might just be familiar with the character Dobby. If you close your eyes and reimagine Dobby as a hound, that gives you an image of the Whippet!
Whippets are members of the family, and they look like small greyhounds – who would’ve guessed! They come in a variety of colours including base colours of fawn, red, tan, cream, black and blue and additional markings including brindle, stripes, and watermarking.
Are Whippets Difficult Dogs?
The Whippet is a sweet-natured and docile pooch, whilst can be playful and athletic. They require short bursts of vigorous exercise a day and can reach up to 35mph during their bursts of energy! After their intense daily walks (or runs!), they make for a perfect couch potato, sleeping for hours.
Whippets don’t like being cold and they hate hard surfaces. So, you should consider a whippet if you don't mind them being on the furniture and under your blankets and duvets!
As for vocalisation, barking is not their forte. Instead, they like to release a harmonious "roo-roo-roo" when stirred by excitement.
In terms of temperament, aggression is simply not in their nature. Whippets are renowned for their friendly behaviour and get along brilliantly with children, other dogs, and even feline friends. And of course, proper socialisation and training play a crucial role in nurturing their well-rounded personalities. However, whippets tend to get separation anxiety when apart from their owner, so they make the best companion when sharing their home with a fellow floof!
Overall, Whippets relish in the simple joys of lounging beside their beloved humans and would make a great furry friend!
Whippet Feeding Requirements
Feeding your Whippet is an art form and requires a delicate balance of nutrition and portion control.
Despite their athletic build, Whippets are surprisingly sensitive to weight gain, making it crucial to provide them with a diet tailored to their needs.
Like all dogs, Whippets need a wide variety of macro and micro-nutrients to thrive. Carefully proportioned proteins, fats and carbohydrates are needed, along with crucial minerals and vitamins in smaller amounts.
We always recommend opting for a commercial pet food that’s designed according to FEDIAF guidelines to ensure they’re getting the right nutrients. It’s difficult to get this right at home so we’d recommend our feeding calculator to help make this process less daunting!
Learn more about choosing the best dog food here.
Scrumbles: The Pawfect Food for Whippets
Looking for the best food for your Whippet? Luckily, we’ve got just the thing! Our natural and gut-friendly recipes include top-notch ingredients to support optimal health, with extra benefits like pre and probiotics, joint care and omegas for healthy skin and a shiny coat, and a happy tum!
We’d recommend our complete Chicken Adult and Senior recipe for Whippets starting on their Scrumbles journey, as this is not too rich for the sensitive tums, and has a medium to small kibble size, perfect for their little mouths!
Here are some reasons that we think your Whippet will thrive on a Scrumbles lifestyle:
- Up to 70% meat or fish for a protein level you can feel proud of
- Added pre or probiotics for pretty poops and healthy digestion
- Grain free and limited ingredient options for pooches with extra sensitive tummies
- Hypoallergenic, free from gluten, soy, dairy, egg and red meat
- Plenty of choice, with complete dry food, wet food and treats on offer, in lots of different flavours including duck, chicken, turkey and salmon
Is A Whippet Right For You?
Overall, Whippets are a very sweet-natured and elegant breed who love to spend quality time with their owners, whilst also running around at crazy high speeds! If you’re a fan of a quirky personality, then these pooches are certain to bring a lot of enjoyment into your home!
