• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
My Dear Whippet Logo

My Dear Whippet

A blog for whippet lovers

  • Home
  • Whippet Information
  • Whippet Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home » What is a Bully Whippet? An Intro to Double Muscled Whippets

What is a Bully Whippet? An Intro to Double Muscled Whippets

February 11, 2022 by Paul 2 Comments

  • Share this post...
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share on Pinterest

Contrary to what you might think, a Bully Whippet is not a sighthound that actively terrorizes other dogs! Bully Whippet Syndrome is actually a condition resulting in a Whippet that looks “pumped”… or to put it less informally, heavily-muscled.

In this post I’m going to explain what Bully Whippet Syndrome is, why it results in a dog with muscles and what the condition means long term.

Table of Contents
  • What is Bully Whippet Syndrome?
  • Why Does Bully Whippet Syndrome Create a “Double Muscled” Whippet?
  • The Long Term Effects of Bully Whippet Syndrome
  • Summary
  • Related Articles

What is Bully Whippet Syndrome?

What is Bully Whippet Syndrome?
Image Source: Wikipedia

Bully Whippet Syndrome is an inherited recessive genetic condition that makes a Whippet “double” muscled. To put it another way, it makes a Whippet look like a super Whippet!

Whippets are traditionally lean dogs. Although they clearly have muscles, they are not stockily built with bulky muscles like some other breeds, such as Pitbulls for example.

As you can see from the image above, Bully Whippets have a somewhat unusual, almost frightening apoearance… very different from the traditional Whippet physique.

They tend to have broader heads, shorter legs and thicker tails than Whippets not having the Munster in deficiency.

Although they have a stocky double muscles appearance, Bully Whippets are not aggressive and retain the same temperament of all Whippets. However, though more muscular, they’re not capable of reaching the running speeds that Whippets are famous for.

Despite the name, Bully Whippets do not have a tendency to dominate or bully other dogs. The bull reference relates to cattle, where the double-muscled condition is more common.

Why Does Bully Whippet Syndrome Create a “Double Muscled” Whippet?

As I referenced above, Bully Whippet Syndrome is an inherited genetic mutation relating to myostatin.

I’m no expert in genetics. but I’ll attempt to explain my understanding of how the syndrome results in a double muscled dog.

Don't Miss My Latest Posts!

Join over 500 others who've subscribed to my newsletter! Read my latest posts, receive dog food recipes & learn about special offers on Whippet products!

No spam guarantee - I only send 1 newsletter each week.

Please bear with me!

The myostatin gene regulates muscle development: it effectively prevents over development of muscle tissue. The mutation leading to Bully Whippets that affects the myostatin gene results in the development of bulky and heavy musculature, and a dog that looks like it has double muscles.

However, not all Whippets with the mutated gene become double-muscled.

If a Whippet has one copy of the mutation on the myostatin gene, it won’t become super-muscular. By all accounts though, it will result in a dog that might be able to run even faster than regular Whippets!

Only Whippets with two copies of the mutation on the myostatin gene develop Bully Whippet Syndrome and the muscular physique associated with it.

Can Whippets Get Fat?


The Long Term Effects of Bully Whippet Syndrome

The average lifespan of a Whippet is 12 to 15 years. Bully Whippets might be expected to have a shorter lifespan given their organs are designed to support a much smaller dog. The myostatin deficiency affects muscles only and does not result in larger hears and lungs.

The consequence of this is that an affected Whippet might well suffer cardiac and pulmonary problems through the additional strain that larger muscles place upon the cardiovascular system.

There is no cure for this condition, so sadly these double muscles Whippets tend to have a shorter life than Whippets without the a myostatin deficiency.

Since Bully Whippet Syndrome is a genetic condition, careful breeding is the only way to prevent the gene passing down the line.


Summary

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Bully Whippet is a variety of Whippet mix, such as a Whippet Pitbull cross. However, affected dogs are purebred Whippets with a genetic condition that makes them look very different to the traditional Whippet look.

Bully Whippets may look abnormally muscular and aggressive but in reality they’re not at all bullish, bullying or mean: they simply have a condition that makes them look pumped!


Related Articles

  • Whippet Fur, Colours & Markings
  • Is Apartment Life Suitable for Whippets?
  • Can You Vacuum a Dog?
  • How Much Should a Whippet Weigh?
  • Are Whippets Good Dogs For First Time Owners?
  • A Whippet Owners Checklist

Have you come across Bully Whippets before? Perhaps you own a Bully Whippet? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this page to let me know.


Double Muscled "Bully Whippets"
Share this on Pinterest!
  • Share this post...
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share on Pinterest

Filed Under: Whippet Information

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mia says

    February 19, 2022 at 2:14 am

    I either have a Whippet Mix (pit bull) or Bully Whippet brindle. She is very aggressive and does not have the same temperament of sweet Whippets. She can be aggressive and constantly wants to bite and chew as well aggressive with other dogs. She almost 2yrs old, rescued at 1.5yrs. Very sad. I love her and am trying to train her and keep her from getting worse.

    Reply
    • paulf says

      February 25, 2022 at 9:44 pm

      Hi Mia. I’m so sorry to hear your dog is aggressive. Have you tried taking her to see a professional trainer?

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

This page may contain affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no cost to you. My Dear Whippet is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Categories

  • Whippet Food & Diet
  • Whippet Training
  • Whippet Accessories
  • Whippet Clothing
  • Whippet Cross Breeds
  • Whippet Information
  • Whippets at Home
Whippet Sweaters on Etsy

Follow Me!

  • Follow me on Instagram
  • Follow me on Pinterest
My Dear Whippet Recommends

Footer

About My Dear Whippet

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · MyDearWhippet.com