Whippet

The Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound that originated in England, and it manages to combine two traits that don't often sit together in the one dog. Out on a coursing field or a lure track, it is among the fastest breeds alive for its size, capable of short bursts near 35 miles per hour. Back home, though, it is a different animal altogether: quiet, easy-going, and perfectly happy to doze on the sofa for most of the day.

Its build is sleek and streamlined, with a deep chest, a tucked-up waist, long legs and a fine coat that lies flat against the skin. Adults typically stand between 18 and 22 inches at the shoulder and weigh somewhere from 25 to 40 pounds. There is very little spare flesh on the frame, which is entirely normal for the breed rather than a sign the dog is being underfed.

Whippets form close bonds with their owners and can be quite sensitive to sharp handling or raised voices. They are gentle with children and usually get on well with other dogs. That said, the chase instinct runs deep, so a small animal darting past can set one off in an instant, which is why secure garden fencing and keeping the dog on a lead in open spaces matter.

Who the breed suits

The Whippet suits owners who want an affectionate, low-maintenance companion that is settled indoors but still needs a proper run outdoors most days. It adapts well to houses and flats alike, provided it gets daily exercise and a warm, soft spot to rest afterwards. The thin coat and low body fat mean the breed feels the cold quickly, so many owners keep a coat handy for winter walks. A home with small pets running loose, or without anywhere safe to let the dog stretch its legs at full speed, is not the best fit.

The Whippet as we know it took shape in the north of England during the nineteenth century, bred down from Greyhounds and crossed with smaller terrier type dogs to produce something fast but far cheaper to keep. Working families in the mining and mill towns of the north could not afford to feed a full sized Greyhound, so a smaller sighthound that could still hunt rabbit and hold its own on a straight track was exactly what was wanted.

The breed became firmly associated with those communities, and racing Whippets over short straight courses for prize money was a regular weekend fixture, earning the dog its old nickname, the poor man's racehorse. Rag racing, where owners waved a cloth at the finish line and the dogs sprinted flat out towards it, was every bit as popular as formal track racing.

Recognition through the show world followed soon after. The Kennel Club in England registered the breed in 1891, with the American Kennel Club following in 1888. Ireland has its own long standing involvement with the breed through the Irish Kennel Club (IKC), which oversees the registration and showing of Whippets here, and standardisation over the following decades settled the size, outline and temperament recognised today.

By the twentieth century the Whippet had moved well beyond its industrial roots, becoming a familiar face at dog shows, in family homes, and on lure coursing and amateur racing circuits right across Europe and North America.

In outline, the Whippet is essentially a Greyhound in miniature, built for speed and balance rather than bulk. Everything about the shape flows: a long, lean head, a neck that arches gracefully into the back, a chest reaching down to the elbow, a clearly defined waist, and a loin with a strong upward curve. The legs are long and lean, the feet compact and well cushioned. Left to its own devices, a Whippet will usually curl itself into a tight ball to sleep.

The coat is short, fine and lies close to the skin, so it offers almost no insulation. It is normal to see the shape of the ribs and hip bones through the skin on a Whippet in correct condition, rather than a sign the dog is underweight.

Coat and colour

There is no restriction on colour in the Whippet standard, so the breed turns up in almost every shade imaginable. Fawn, cream, blue-grey, black, red and brindle are all common, frequently broken up with white on the chest, feet or face. The short coat needs very little grooming, but it gives next to no protection against cold or rough terrain, so a well-fitted coat for winter walks is worth having, and it is worth running a hand over the thin skin after any boisterous play to check for scrapes.

The Whippet has a gentle, quiet nature. Indoors it is calm to the point of being described as a proper couch dog, happy to sleep away large stretches of the day. It attaches itself firmly to its household and likes to stay close to its people, sometimes leaning against them or curling up right beside them on the sofa. It is a sensitive breed, and shouting or heavy handed correction tends to do more harm than good.

With family, children included, Whippets are patient and affectionate, though very young children should be watched closely, since the dog is slightly built and can be knocked about or hurt if handling gets too rough. Most Whippets are a bit reserved with strangers at first rather than nervous, and warm up quickly once they have had a proper introduction. They are not watchdogs by nature and rarely bark much at all.

The breed usually gets along well with other dogs and settles happily into multi dog households. The main thing to watch is that sighthound chase drive: a cat, rabbit, squirrel or small pet darting off can set a Whippet sprinting after it in a heartbeat, so a dependable recall, secure garden fencing and keeping the dog on a lead in open areas all matter.

Looking after a Whippet day to day is fairly simple. The coat takes almost no effort, but the breed's slight build and strong chase drive shape what it actually needs: regular chances to run flat out, protection from the cold, and somewhere warm and padded to rest.

Grooming

• Brush weekly with a soft brush or grooming mitt to lift out loose hair
• Bathe only when necessary, as the coat carries very little odour
• Trim nails every two to three weeks, since overly long nails throw off the gait
• Brush teeth several times a week and check them regularly
• Check the thin skin for cuts or scrapes after energetic play

Exercise

• Give one to two walks a day along with a proper chance to sprint flat out
• Use a securely fenced area or a long line for any off lead running
• Favour short, intense bursts of speed over long, steady distance work
• Try lure coursing or a flirt pole to give the chase instinct an outlet
• Hold off on hard exercise in extreme heat or on icy ground

Environment

Whippets suit houses and flats equally well, since they are quiet and settled indoors. They feel the cold quickly and will actively seek out warm spots, so a soft bed away from draughts and a proper coat for winter both make a real difference, especially given how cool, damp and mild the weather stays here for most of the year, with rain never far away. A secure garden, or somewhere nearby to let the dog run safely, matters far more than the size of the home itself.

A complete, balanced food suited to the dog's life stage and activity level suits the Whippet well. The breed is naturally lean, so a visible ribcage and a clear waist are perfectly normal and not a cue to top up the bowl. A dog actively racing or coursing may need a bit more fuel, while one that spends most of its day on the sofa needs less. Split the daily ration into two meals and adjust by how the dog actually looks and feels rather than sticking rigidly to a fixed amount.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to around 10 percent of the dog's daily calories so it stays lean. Most Whippets on a complete diet do not need any supplements on top. Fresh water should always be available, particularly around hard exercise. Deep-chested breeds can be prone to bloat, so avoid a heavy meal right before or after strenuous exercise, and let the dog settle for a while either side of anything energetic.

The Whippet is one of the sturdier purebred breeds and usually lives 12 to 15 years. It carries fewer inherited conditions than many dogs of a similar size, though there are still a handful of things worth keeping an eye on. Its lean build and short coat also mean it copes poorly with cold and bruises or cuts more readily than a heavier set dog.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date
• Book annual vet check-ups, including heart and eye checks
• Keep on top of dental hygiene with regular brushing
• Keep the dog lean to protect joints and heart
• Let any vet know about the breed's anaesthesia sensitivity before a procedure

Whippets are sharp and generally keen to please, but they are also sensitive dogs that can switch off during repetitive drills. They pick things up fast when sessions are kept short, upbeat and varied. Harsh corrections do real damage to the bond and tend to shut the dog down rather than fix anything. Recall is by far the hardest thing to train, because once a Whippet is in full flight after something, the chase instinct can override whatever it has learned. For that reason, plenty of owners keep their Whippet on a lead in unfenced areas no matter how solid the recall seems back in the garden.

Basics

1. Start socialising early with people, dogs and everyday sights and sounds
2. Teach name response and a reliable sit before moving on to anything else
3. Build recall in a fenced area first, and reward every single return generously
4. Add a solid stay and leave it to help manage the chase drive
5. Practise calm lead walking, since the breed tends to pull towards movement
6. Keep each session short and finish on a success

Whippets reach sexual maturity in much the same range as other medium sized dogs, with females usually having their first season somewhere between six and twelve months old. Responsible breeders hold off until the dog is fully grown, both physically and mentally, generally around two years old, and have both parents health screened for heart and eye conditions before any mating takes place. Pregnancy runs to about 63 days from conception, and litters average four to eight puppies, though smaller and larger litters both happen.

Puppies arrive helpless, with their eyes still closed, and rely entirely on the dam for the first few weeks. Weaning starts around three to four weeks, and the structured socialisation that follows during this early period does a great deal to shape the calm, confident adult temperament the breed is known for. Given how lean and fine boned the breed is, whelping and rearing puppies should happen somewhere warm and free of draughts. Breeding decisions are best left to experienced breeders who can provide proper veterinary support and take responsibility for placing puppies for life.

How to register a Whippet in Ireland

A dog warden with a scanner can only follow the record, and a Whippet whose record is current is home the same day. Register your dog free with United Pet Club: your contact details, his photo, and his chip number together on one profile that never lapses and never bills you.

Lodge your Whippet's fifteen digit number with United Pet Club and the chip finally earns its keep: free registration for life, every brand accepted, and a record the ISPCA or any warden can turn into a phone call. Microchip registration takes minutes, and the free account covers the profile while you're at it.