16 Things Only a Whippet Owner Can Tell You

It may be that you’ve arrived here because you’re already a Whippet owner and know only too well what life with a Whippet is like. Hopefully you’ll read this post and nod in agreement!

Or perhaps you’re thinking of becoming a Whippet owner and you’re not sure what to expect?

If you’re considering buying a Whippet puppy or adopting an adult Whippet, my hope is that this post will provide you with a Whippet owner’s appreciation of this wonderful breed.

16 Things a Whippet Owner Can Tell You

I’ve lived with a Whippet for around a decade and in that time I’ve met lots of other Whippet owners. Whenever I meet a fellow “Whippeteer” we usually talk about the peculiarities of our little furry charges and we often find much common ground.

Based upon my experiences and the conversations I’ve had with others, here is my rundown of 16 things that only a Whippet owner can tell you!

1. Whippets Aren’t Lazy

Whippets have a reputation as being a lazy dog breed, but the reality is Whippets aren’t lazy… they just like to relax a lot!

Joking aside, most dog breeds will lounge around if they’re bored but they also can get up to mischief if they’re not exercised. A dog with unspent energy might turn their attention to your shoes, cushions furniture… in fact anything they can chew!

A well exercised Whippet will be happy to spend time snoozing but also be ready to get up and run with only a moment’s notice… ask any Whippet owner!

2. Whippets Are Bonkers!

I guess most Whippet owners will be able to tell you about the idiosyncrasies of their dogs… but Whippets have a special kind of bonkers!

Excitable, eager to play and fun-loving, a Whippet is always prepared for fun… and Whippet zoomies are legendary.

Seeing a Whippet having a “mad moment” zooming around is comical, and yet at the same time it’s another reason to love the breed even more!

3. Whippets Love to Sleep in Their Owner’s Beds

Although many people find it revolting when dogs sleep in their owners’ bed, Whippets find it totally appealing!

They love nothing more than burrowing into your bed at night to sleep under the covers with you… and stopping the practice can be very tough.

Whippets have very little body fat and short coats so they tend to feel cold more keenly than some other breeds.

What better place is there to be cosy at night than right next to their human family members under a duvet?

4. Whippets Are Fast… Very Fast!

Pound for pound, Whippets are the fastest dog breed on earth. But not only are they super-sprinters (they can run at speeds up to 35mph) they run in an extremely elegant way.

Most Whippet owners I know (and non-Whippet owners actually) will happily watch in wonder while their Whippet goes through the gears.

Whippets have what’s known as a double-suspension gallop, which means all four legs leave the floor twice in each cycle: once when they are “charging” their legs and once when they push off the floor and fully extend their bodies.

To me it’s a wonder of the natural world!

Coupled with their naturally athletic and slim physique, they’re like speed rockets… it’s what Whippets were bred for after all.

5. Whippets Chase Things

Whippets are Sighthounds… and Sighthounds have a natural instinct to chase things. Given Whippets can run so fast, they’re also very good at catching the things they chase!

As a result, it’s wise to always keep a Whippet on a lead in public places or wherever there’s a chance it could get itself into trouble…. like when you’re walking along the street!

You can walk a Whippet off the lead, but it’s advisable to only ever do so when you’re in enclosed spaces, because they just can’t help themselves if something catches their eye.

6. Whippets Are Very Loving

Many Whippet owners will probably tell you that Whippets can be a little reserved. Indeed we might say that Whippets are “independent thinkers”!

However, a Whippet is not a lone-wolf and absolutely adores the company of its family.

Whippets are actually an incredibly loving breed and attach themselves very deeply to their owners. This can mean they can be a little needy.

While you can leave Whippets alone for a little while (maximum of 4 hours I would say), it does mean that you do have to plan your day around them somewhat. That said, this is true for most dogs.

7. Whippets Can Swim

Although they don’t look that buoyant, and of course they don’t particularly like cold things (especially water), Whippets can swim.

They may need a little encouragement and confidence building but given the right approach Whippets can most definitely learn to swim.

Be careful of overdoing it though… swimmer’s tail in dogs is actually a thing!

8. Whippets Don’t Shed Much

Many people believe that Whippets are hypoallergenic. The truth is though that no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic but the good news is that Whippets don’t shed that much.

With short, single coats Whippets do shed… but not in quite the same quantities as say a German Shepherd.

A light weekly groom will make shed fur in your home practically non-existent.

9. Whippets Are Clean

Unless a Whippet rolls in something nasty (which they are prone to do sometimes!) you will not need to wash your Whippet very frequently at all.

As with grooming, because their coats are short they tend not to get mucky day to day like longer coated dogs can.

Whippets generally only require washing once every few weeks, though this can increase during the wetter months, especially if you walk across fields.

10. Whippets Aren’t Malnourished… They’re Meant to Look Skinny!

Some people believe that Whippets don’t eat very much or that their owners aren’t feeding them properly.

Whippets are a very lean breed and a Whippet at a healthy weight should actually show a couple of ribs.

Some people also believe that Whippets can’t put on weight. However, in reality Whippets can get fat contrary to popular belief.

11. Whippets Will Eat Anything

Any Whippet owner will understand the dangers of leaving their food unattended!

Whippets are food opportunists and will snaffle anything left within snouting range if your back is turned… even if they’ve just eaten a full meal!

While this is mostly irritating if it happens to mean you’ve lost your supper, it can also be bad for your Whippet… or any dog actually. Some of the foods we eat are harmful for dogs.

The moral of the story is to always make sure you never leave your food alone with your Whippet as it will get eaten!

12. Whippets Bark

Despite what many people think, Whippets do actually bark. I wouldn’t say they are famous for their barking ability, and most Whippet owners would probably say they aren’t that noisy.

However they do bark… and some bark more than others!

My Whippet is perhaps more vocal in this respect than the average “snap dog” as she will bark at almost anything or anyone she sees from her vantage point in my daughter’s bedroom!

13. Whippet Puppies Are Simply the Cutest

Okay, I know everyone will say this about their favourite dog breed… but honestly, Whippet puppies are the cutest!

When I first saw my Whippet at around 4 weeks old I melted… and I still melt whenever I look back at pictures of her as a puppy.

How could you not love any puppy?

That said, of course Whippet puppies are the cutest!

14. Whippets Can Be Trained… But It Can Be A Challenge!

Can Whippets be trained? Yes… but it may require a little determination on the owner’s part to do so.

Whippets are smart and entirely capable of learning obedience, but their independent nature means Whippet owners have to be committed to their training goals.

With commitment and consistency, Whippets can be trained but that independent streak might always remain somewhat!

15. Whippets Aren’t Scaredy Cats

All owners know that their little Whippets shake… but this isn’t because they scare easily.

Whippets often shake because they’re getting ready for action (they have fast twitch muscle fibres).

Whippets also tremble as they get cold easily. They’re short coats and low body fat mean they are most definitely fair weather dogs!

16. Becoming A Whippet Owner Will Make Your Life Complete

Okay… this isn’t entirely true since any dog will make your life complete, assuming you’re prepared to make the commitment it takes to be a dog owner.

My point is that as a Whippet owner my life is infinitely more rich thanks to my little Sighthound.

Whippets, like all dogs, do mean more responsibility in your life, but the payoff is more than worth it.

Are you a Whippet Owner or a Whippet fan? I’d love to hear about your experiences. Are there any things you’d like to add to my list? Leave a comment at the bottom of this page to let me know.

Related Posts

• Whippet Adoption: What Do You need to Consider?
• How Much Exercise Does a Whippet Need?
• Can Whippets and Cats Live Together?
• Are Whippets Good for Families?
• Can Whippets Live in Apartments?
• What Foods Can Dogs Eat?
• Why is My Dog Peeing in My Bed?
• Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
• 39 House Plants Poisonous to Dogs
• What are Bully Whippets?