Average lifespan
Whippets live up to 14 years of age.
Average size and weight
44cm to 51cm
Breed personality, characteristics & temperament
Whippets have an agreeable temperament and make an ideal family pet and a wonderful companion. It is often said that females generally make better pets than their male counterparts because they are more affectionate and obedient. However, this is quite the opposite for Whippets where the male is the more obedient, friendly and outgoing of the species.
Compatibility with other pets
The vast majority of Whippets are not aggressive towards other dogs. Similar to most animals blessed with great speed, they prefer to use their speed to get out of a fight.
Care requirements
Whippets are much tougher than they look and will happily go for a walk in weather that would deter most owners. Being high on the leg, they bring in relatively little dirt after an energetic walk, and their short coats require only a minimum of grooming to keep in trim.
Whippets have been described as the lazy man’s dog, because they are easy to look after and to feed. They do need daily exercise, and similar to most dogs thirty minutes walk daily on a lead will keep them healthy and reasonably fit - they will also appreciate fifteen minutes free running where they can really ‘stretch out’.
Please take note
Although in many breeds it is considered that females make better house pets than dogs, this is not necessarily the case with Whippets.
Ideal owners
The Almost everyone.
