Whippet dog breed

• Size: medium · 25-40 lbs · 18-22 inches
• Energy: 3/5 · lifespan 12-15 years
• Temperament lean: Gentle, Quiet, Affectionate, Intelligent
• Coat: short — low-fuss, cold-sensitive

Medium-sized sighthound built for speed. Whippets are gentle, quiet, and make excellent family pets.

Whippets were bred to see and chase. That means a strong prey drive—secure fencing and caution with off-leash freedom in open areas. Lure coursing and fenced fetch burn the sprint battery better than a slow mile alone.

Indoors, many Whippets are calm couch companions. Don’t confuse “quiet at home” with “no exercise.” Under-sprinted dogs can get restless or inventive.

Developed in England by crossing Greyhounds with smaller breeds. They were used for racing and hunting.

Exercise. Moderate energy requiring daily walks and occasional runs. Short, intense play plus daily walks usually beats endless jogging.

Grooming & comfort. Very low maintenance. Occasional brushing and baths. Thin skin and low body fat mean sweaters in cold weather and soft beds; watch for scrapes and sun on pale coats.

Training. Gentle and trainable. Respond well to positive methods. Positive methods work best; recalls compete with moving targets—use long lines and rewards until reliable.

Health. Typical concerns include Heart Disease, Eye Problems, Skin Sensitivity. Ask breeders about screening relevant to sighthounds and keep a healthy weight for lean frames.

Strong fit if you want an elegant, affectionate sprinter who settles indoors—and you can offer safe running and weather protection. Look elsewhere if you need a bombproof off-leash trail dog around wildlife, or a heavy-coat cold-weather specialist.

Often compared with: Italian Greyhound, Greyhound, Saluki. Put two side by side in Compare, or check best family dogs if kids are your main filter.