Despite the full name, the American Pit Bull has its origins in English and Irish Terriers that made their way across the Atlantic to the US in the 19th Century. In recent times, cross breeding the Pit Bull has resulted in a variety of different mixes. In this post I’ll be discussing one such cross: the Whippet Pit Bull mix.
As with all my posts on Whippet mixes, I’ll focus on the following areas to provide you with a detailed guide to this particular mix:
Table of Contents
- A Note on Whippet Mixes
- Whippet Pitbull Mix Appearance
- Temperament
- Health
- Exercise & Care
- Whippet Pitbull Mix Images from Instagram
- Summary
Whippet Mixes and A Word on Pit Bulls
In this discussion of the Whippet Pit Bull, I’ll be talking very much in general terms. While all dog breeds have a tendency towards certain behavioural and temperamental traits, individual dogs can vary. This can be especially true of mixes.
So while the Whippet Pit Bull will likely share some of the characteristics of both parent breeds, there may be a greater tendency towards one of the parent breeds than the other.
The upshot of this is that a Whippet Pit Bull may look and behave more like a Whippet than a Pit Bull… or vice versa.
So what follows is a discussion of the most likely result of mixing these two breeds. However, please remember that the appearance and temperament of Whippet Pit Bull mixes may vary considerably.
See all my articles about Whippet mixes.
American Pit Bulls themselves have a bad reputation in certain countries. In the UK, several unprovoked Pit Bull attacks on people dating from 1981 onwards, resulted in making the breeding and ownership of them illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. While the Pit Bull breed is generally considered a loving and loyal breed, all dog owners have a duty to care for and train them properly.
Whippet Pit Bull Mix Appearance

Whippets are classed as medium-sized dogs while Pit Bulls are medium to large. But where Whippets are lean (bordering on skinny) and athletic, “Pitties” are stocky and muscular.
The result for Pit Bull Whippets is likely a medium-sized dog that’s more muscular than a purebred Whippet but less stocky than a Pit Bull.
A Pit Bull Whippet may weigh between 25lbs to 65lbs (11kg to 30kg) and have a height of between 18″ to 22″ (45cm to 56cm).
As both parent breeds are short coated, it’s reasonable to expect a Pit Whip to be short coated too: good news for those conscious of shedding!
Given the range of colours of Whippets and Pit Bulls, you might expect a cross of these breeds to be a mix of colours, from cream through fawn to brown, black and red. It’s also possible they’ll be brindle and have masks. Again of course, parental genes determine what’s possible.
Pitbull Whippet Mix Temperament
Whippets are generally very even tempered and loving. When out on walks they can be very active, zooming around like wild things and chasing toys / other dogs due to their Sighthound nature.
Whippets are also ideal family dogs and given their gentle nature they’re great with kids. As long as you exercise your Whippet properly, they’ll be happy to just relax at home.
Pit Bulls too are known in general to be good family dogs, though like Whippets, early socialisation and training is important to help develop obedience and good habits.
Whippet Pit Bull mixes will likely be loyal, friendly, loving and protective of their families but they may be aloof and a little reserved around people and other dogs until they get to know them.
In order to ensure your Pit Bull Whippet is happy, and to avoid undesirable behaviours, it’s hugely important that you provide them with a suitable amount of exercise / play each day. Ideally you’ll give them at least an hour each day.
Find out how much exercise Whippets need.
N.B. Although in general both Whippets and Pit Bulls are known to be good with children, it’s advisable never to leave very young children alone with any dog.
The Health of Whippet Pit Bull Mixes

In general, both Whippets and Pitbulls are healthy breeds. That said, both breeds are prone to certain health conditions.
The following are some of the conditions which Pit Bulls and Whippets may suffer:
American Pit Bull Terriers
Whippets
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Canine Hemangiosarcoma
- Canine von Willebrand’s Disease
- Orthopaedic Injuries
- Sensitivity to Anaesthesia
- Deafness
Since the gene pool for mixed breed dogs is much larger than that of purebreds, breed crosses tend to develop less desirable traits of their parents. Because of this, “hybrid dogs” tend to live longer and healthier lives than some purebreds.
However, to ensure you’re getting a healthy dog that’s been carefully bred, always check the breeder is reputable, caring and understands both breeds. Don’t ever purchase a Whippet Pit Bull mix (or any dog actually) from a puppy farm.
What to look for in a Whippet breeder.
Exercise and Care for the Whippet Pit Bull Mix
As I’ve mentioned already, it’s very important to provide a suitable level of exercise for a “Pippet”. Dogs that don’t get the exercise they need are prone to canine obesity and the resulting health problems this can cause.
Assuming you provide around an hour of vigorous “off the lead” exercise for around an hour each day, a diet that’s suitable for a medium-sized breed and a loving home, a Pit Whippet may live between 12 to 15 years.
N.B. Whippet Pit Bulls will likely have a strong prey drive and will find chasing things irresistible. You can walk Whippet mixes off the lead, but not in residential areas or places with vehicles. It’s always safest to only allow a Whippet mix dog to run off the lead in enclosed areas away from traffic.
In terms of grooming, short coated dogs still shed their fur so you still need to wash and groom them to keep fur and dander down. Whippet Pit Bulls are clean dogs though so washing won’t be a weekly task, unless they roll in something dirty.
Find out how to groom short haired dogs.
Whippet Pitbull Mix Images from Instagram




Summary
The Whippet Pit Bull mix is likely to be friendly, loving and a good family dog.
However, it’s worth noting that Pit Bulls themselves have a bad reputation. Indeed, in the UK Pit Bulls are classed as an illegal dog breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, due to several unprovoked attacks on people. As such it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find a Whippet Pitbull in the UK.
As a general rule, a Whippet Pit Bull mix will likely be friendly and loving but early socialisation and puppy training will be highly important, as will providing sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.
Do you own a Whippet Pit Bull mix or do you have questions? I’d love to hear more. Please leave your comments in the section at the bottom of this page.
Related Posts
- A Guide to the Whippet Husky Mix
- The Whippet Dachshund Mix
- A Guide to the German Whippet Mix
- The Jackawhip: Whippet Jack Russel Mixes
- A Detailed Guide to the Whippet Boxer Mix
- The Whippet Border Collie Mix
- Beddy Whippets – A Guide to the Bedlington Whippet Cross
- The Whippet Poodle Mix

MK says
I recently adopted a young, big eared brindle pup from a shelter in Hawaii. I had a DNA test done on him and he is Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull and Whippet, as well as Bull Terrier and Irish Terrier. What’s interesting is that even though Whippet is 3rd in line as far as percentages, he looks like a whippet, acts like a whippet, and in most ways is a whippet. He’s a handsome, charming, stealthy, ninja like, do anything for food goof ball. Whippets are not that common here in the U.S. and folks are constantly asking me what he is.
paulf says
He sounds lovely MK!
Chantalle says
My friend’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier had 9 puppies. They varied in colours of beige and white and black but there was 1 oddball.. she’s a blue fawn brindle with white. Her stature is that of a Whippet, she’s lean, skinny, deep chest and very quick on her toes. I was told the father of this litter was a Bull Mastiff, but she resembles whippet 100% but the other pups don’t. Any reason why this one pup is different from the rest? I’m assured there’s no whippet in the mother.
Nicole says
I saved a reverse brindle pippet about a year ago. She’s so loving and smart. I have two older pit bulls a male and female. My pippet is very controlling tho. She will just flip and go after my female pit if my pit shows any interest to me while I’m cooking, or if my pippet chews on sometime else besides her chew toys and I find the item and raise my voice towards her she immediately looks at my female like it’s her fault she’s getting in trouble and that has started a fight. I just got her signed up for obedience training and she’s getting fixed within the next month. I hope this calms her aggression down some. I walk her in total about 3 hours a day, trying to wear her out but it seems to just make her even more hyper.
Another issue I have is when she sees me touch or pick up a leash she instantly starts going crazy and won’t let go of it to even attach it so I began just sitting down until she listens and is sitting calmly. Now after I get the leash attached I again have sit down to let her calm down again just to exit the house. But once i go to open the door she’s right back to going crazy. I don’t feel as tho she sees me as the pack leader, so in turn she don’t follow my commands like my pits do. And with her excitement she’s even more apt to start fighting my female pit. I’m almost to the point Im considering a muzzle just to prevent her crazy outbursts. I feel like if I have to muzzle her to prevent her from flying off the handle that I’m failing the pack by it being so unstable. My pits are so passive and now they seem to have to walk on eggshells and not interact like they use to. What can I do to show her I’m the pack leader. I’ve never had any of these issues with any other dog. Would an inground fence help to allow her more free range exercise?
I just know something has to change in order to get a different outcome. Any advice would be appreciated.
paulf says
Hi Nicole. This sounds very stressful for you. I think you’ve done the right thing by taking her to obedience training and I’m sure this will help if you stay the course… and I’d love to hear how you both get along with it.
ane says
I picked up a “Walmart Special” pup a couple of months ago. Her young owners stated she was a cross between a Red Nosed Pit Bull and an American Black Pit Bull. She is now a bit over 6 months and looks like a short faced fawn colored Whippet with a red nose. She acts like a Whippet cross according to the Shelter manager that I know. Plus she acts just like the description in your articles… lol… I just wanted to save a pup and maybe get the owners to surrender the other pups to the shelter. They didn’t follow up, but I gained a great dog!
paulf says
Awww Ane… it sounds like she’s found a great home!