Grooming
Whippets make it extra easy to love them with a coat that rarely needs to be brushed. Use a soft bristle brush or rubber glove once a week to remove any shedding hair and to keep their skin healthy. Their short, thin coats make grooming a snap. They’re extra charming in that they really don’t have an odor or shed much—a win for your carpets.
They aren’t typically crazy about water, but that’s OK because they don’t need much bathing, about once every four to six weeks. (The obvious exception is when they’ve decided to play in the mud.) That’s about the same time they’ll need their nails trimmed. You’ll know their nails are too long when you hear them tapping on hard surfaces.
Ideally, you should brush your Whippet’s teeth daily. Your vet can teach you how to do this, and it’s best to start teeth brushing as puppies so they’ll get used to it faster. This is important because of the potential for dental and gum disease. Make sure you get them in for annual professional teeth cleanings by your vet, too.
Close
Training
With their sensitive nature, any training that involves pressure, harsh words or intimidation will backfire. Whippets are smart—if they don’t like something, they’ll avoid it, and that includes your well-intentioned training plan. Patient and kind methods that use treats, praise and toys work best as rewards. Keep your training sessions short and fun, and be generous with those treats! Most importantly, keep your focus on what you want your Whippet puppy to do, rather than what you don’t want them to do.
Whippets get bored with too much repetition. They love variety, and a mix of mental and physical stimulation (think: agility training) is ideal. They can be a bit strong-willed (we’ll chalk that up to their smarts), so obedience training may start slow until you figure out what works best for your pup.
Close
Diet
Whippets typically do well on a high-quality, well balanced diet. Be sure the dog food you choose meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (look for an AAFCO statement on the bag). Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a dog food formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). When in doubt, talk to your veterinarian. They are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
No matter what food you choose, keep portions in mind when serving up supper. Again, your vet can help you determine the best mealtime portions for your pup. The Whippet breed has very little body fat, so even an extra pound or two makes a difference to their overall health. You’ll be doling out a lot of treats for training (and just because you love your pup), so be sure you include those in your dog’s overall calorie count. (Sadly, treat calories count, too!)
Close
Exercise
Whippet dogs are athletic and need a lot of exercise, at least an hour a day. They were built to run, and truly, nothing gives them more joy. In order for them to really stretch their legs, they need to have access to an enclosed area where you can take them out off-leash, like a backyard. These pups have a high prey drive and can take off in a flash. A few sprints around a fenced area, and they’re ready to come back and explore with you at a more leisurely pace.
If you think dog parks are your answer, you may need to pause that thought for a moment. Dog parks can be hit or miss; Whippets do love chasing, and that may include other pups at the dog park. You want to make sure your pup stays on friendly terms with the locals!
Other excellent ways to give your pup opportunities for exercise include dog sports like agility and lure coursing. Truly, lure coursing is their jam—chasing mechanical lures in hot pursuit—and they don’t need much guidance in something they were born to do.
Close
Environment
With enough training, any dog can be socialized to get along with cats. But keep in mind that Whippets were bred to chase, so it may be especially tricky to teach them that cats are friends, not prey. Other dogs, on the other hand, are usually welcomed as besties.
These dogs love people and companionship (including kids), and as long as they aren’t in a crowded, boisterous place where they could get overwhelmed, they’ll be just fine with company. They’re happy to be with you, and they need to be with you for most of the day. If you plan on being gone, you’ll need to arrange for a buddy to swing by for some playtime.
Whippets love a fenced yard where they can run to their hearts’ content, but that shouldn’t stop an apartment dweller from considering this breed. As long as they’re given plenty of exercise and attention, they’re fabulous companions and are suited for apartment living.
An ideal living environment for a Whippet is one with plenty of opportunities for exercise, then lots of soft beds, pillows and blankets for crashing afterward. You don’t have to have an active lifestyle, as long as you can give them frequent chances to race around.
Since there’s not a lot of meat on a Whippet’s bones, they get cold easily, so indoor living is a must. They’re a bit high maintenance when it comes to the weather in general, including rain, so if you end up raising a Whippet, you may need a whole wardrobe of doggy sweaters, raincoats and warm jackets.
Close
