Whippets are among the fastest land athletes on the planet. If you get a Whippet you will be choosing a dog with a sweet personality and fabulous nature who loves to run very, very fast!
Whippets are happiest if they can run free for at least one hour a day, and you will be in awe watching them do so. Daily walks and free off-leash running time are essential, but this breed has the tendency to chase small animals, so care must be taken to prevent this.
Once they have expended their energy on their daily dose of running, they make the most pleasant dogs to live with. They are very affectionate with kids and happy to chase them up and down the backyard.
Whippets are slightly smaller than their bigger cousin the Greyhound but have similar temperament and looks.
This breed will do well at agility or any other running sport and are best to train by using play or affection as a reward.
Whippets may look a bit fragile, but they don't have any tendencies towards genetic illnesses.
Weight: | 10-13 kg |
Health risk: | Medium |
Life expectancy: | 12-15 years |
Coat: | Short |
Grooming intensity: | Low |
Monthly cost (food): | Below average |
Trainability: | Medium |
Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Whippet from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Whippet to adopt:
To help your rescued Whippet to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Whippet from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.