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For anyone who owns a Whippet, this article is likely going to be old news! For those of you who don’t own a Whippet, and who perhaps aren’t that familiar with this very special Sighthound breed (perhaps THE best breed of dog), this article is for you!
Whippets are a very special breed. Of course, I’m going to say this… I’m a committed Whippet owner!
However, there are reasons for my bias (other than the fact I share my life with a Whippet).
Of course, this is really only a bit of fun, since I love all dogs… and every dog owner with a favourite breed will tell you theirs is the best.
So I guess I should modify my statement somewhat by saying that I feel the Whippet is the best breed of dog for me.
(However, Whippets really are the best dog breed!)
Table of Contents
- Why the Whippet is the Best Breed of Dog For Me?
- They’re Loving
- They’re Loyal
- They Keep Your Bed Warm
- They Have The Funniest Ways
- They Love to Sleep
- The Way They Run Is A Miracle of Nature
- They Don’t Shed Much
- They Don’t Require Hours Of Walking Every Day
- They Don’t Smell
- They’re Always Happy To See You
- Summary – Why is the Whippet the Best Dog Breed For Me?
- Related Posts
Why is the Whippet the Best Breed of Dog For Me?
I’ve lived with my Whippet Misty for over 10 years at this point and it’s hard for me to imagine living with any other dog… let alone any other dog breed.
So from this experiential vantage point, here are 10 reasons why I feel the Whippet is the best dog breed…. just for fun!
1. They’re Loving
One of the things any Whippet owner will tell you is that they are a very loving breed. In fact, Whippets are so loving they’ll probably smother you!
Although the Whippet personality can be a little reserved around strangers, Whippets are completely relaxed and extremely affectionate with their families.
I know Whippets aren’t the only loving dog breed, so they’re not unique in this department. However, it’s just one of the traits that make Whippets the best dog breed for me.
2. They’re Loyal
Again, loyalty isn’t something rare in the dog world as most breeds are pretty loyal, especially to their owners.
Like other breeds, a Whippet’s loyalty is unshakable as long as you treat them nicely, give them a loving and comfy home and feed them!
Whippets truly are family members and like all closely knit members of a household, they’re loyal to a tee.
3. They Keep Your Bed Warm
Whippets love to burrow under covers… and sometimes this means burrowing under your bed covers!
When I ask many Whippet owners if their dogs sleep on their beds, most say they sleep IN their beds! I’m not 100% sure that this is what Whippets were bred for, but I do know they are incredibly good bed warmers.
Whippets being Whippets simply love to sleep under warm covers… even more so if there’s a warm body to snuggle up to.
4. They Have The Funniest Ways
From the bouncing walk that all Sighthounds seem to have to the apparent need to be under covers, Whippets have a ton of funny ways that make them truly endearing.
Most dogs get the zoomies from time to time, but have you ever seen a Whippet having a “funny five minutes”? While it’s often comical to watch any dog in zoom mode, with their electrifying speed Whippet zoomies are on another level.
5. They Love to Sleep!
Many people believe that Whippets are a high energy breed. While it’s true they can be extremely energetic when they are allowed to run off leash, Whippets are not at all as high maintenance as you might imagine.
Underneath the streamlined and athletic physique there is a dog that’s extremely happy to snooze. Once a Whippet has had a good run each day it’ll be VERY happy to take lots of little sleeps.
In fact a Whippet will often only wake up long enough to change position or move to a warmer or comfier spot!
Whippets aren’t lazy, but neither do they require hours of training!
6. The Way They Run Is A Miracle of Nature
Whippets can run fast… very fast. With speeds of up to 35mph, watching a Whippet run is truly awe inspiring. The elegant “double suspension gallop” alone is something that makes Whippet owners rate them so highly.
While this might not be the single most important trait potential dog owners find endearing, to me it’s one of the reasons why they are the best dog breed around.
7. They Don’t Shed Much
Whippets have short, single coats and so they don’t shed much, which is great news because Whippets love furniture!
Of course, all dogs shed and all dogs can trigger allergies (Whippets aren’t hypoallergenic… but then no dog breed is). However, since they don’t have an undercoat, you’ll never have that much fur to tidy up during shedding seasons.
8. They Don’t Require Hours Of Walking Every Day
I’ve touched on this above, but Whippets do not need hours of exercise each day like some breeds do.
Whippets aren’t endurance athletes, they’re speed merchants. As such they don’t need marathon training but rather they only need 45 minutes to an hour of (ideally off the lead) exercise each day.
Find out how much exercise Whippets need.
9. They Don’t Smell
Some dog breeds tend to have a really doggy smell, especially when they get wet. Some people don’t mind this at all… they’re dogs after all. While I don’t mind the doggy smell per se, I don’t really like it permeating my home.
Happily, Whippets don’t tend to smell. Sure, sometimes they can have a little odour if they get wet, but by and large Whippets aren’t that fragrant!
Since they have short fur and single coats, and because they don’t smell, Whippets don’t require much grooming.
In actual fact, in terms of cleanliness and smelliness, Whippets are fairly low maintenance.
10.They’re Always Happy To See You
In my 10+ years of being an owner, there has never been an occasion where my Whippet hasn’t been overjoyed to see me when I return home. Sometimes she gets over-excited when I return to the living room after making a cup of tea!
It doesn’t matter what kind of day a Whippet has had, or even if they’re a little off colour… Whippets are always super happy to see you!
Summary – The Best Breed of Dog?
I recognise this missive may not prove definitively that the Whippet is the best dog breed. Let’s be honest about it, many of the points on my list apply to many dog breeds… though some really can be quite smelly!
Nonetheless, Whippets make great family dogs, they can live in just about any sort of accommodation, they’re low maintenance and have a super temperament.
So while most other breeds have many plus points, for me the Whippet truly is the best dog breed!
Find out more: Whippet dog breed information.
Do you own a Whippet? Or perhaps you have another breed and love them the way I love Whippets? Please leave a comment in the section at the bottom of this page to tell me about your dog.
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Sarah Wright says
I grew up with whippets and now my kids are. They are so tolerant of “kid” hands and ways. A great companion for autistic children.
michael eliot pollatsek says
Would like to know something about obedience and training ratings for whippets. I have an IG that sole interest is food and still at age 14 not totally housebroken despite my vigilance for cues and rushing her towards the door to the yard.
Paul & Liz says
Myself and my wife have 3 whippet girls and Italian greyhound girl as well… they love camping in our motorhome as well. They’re awesome…
paulf says
Wow Paul… you really do love Whippets and Iggies! Sounds like you have you hands full!
Paul says
Yes but we love it… walking the Welsh beaches in summer when away camping. PS they all love a BBQ as well… lol they have test burgers and chicken. No other dog for us, they’re great company.
Princess says
One thing as well Whippets don’t bark! Well they do if you are playing with them and they are super hyped. But usually they don’t bark at all. Very good if you are living in an apartment.
paulf says
Yes Princess… Whippets do indeed bark!
Kim says
My first whippet was a pound puppy and I was going to turn him in to a purebred rescue. I took him home for the weekend and he was with me for 19 yrs and the absolute smartest dog I have ever owned. I just had to put down my 16 yr old whippet who was the sweetest dog ever. I want another but I don’t think I can replace the greats I already had. Whippets are the best companions.
paulf says
Oh Kim I’m so sorry to hear this. Our dogs are impossible to replace so I feel your pain.
Gloria says
I had a whippet cross years ago. She was so intelligent and could read colours. If I said get the red ball she would drop it at my feet etc. But I did teach her loads of tricks. She was so in tune with me and loved it when we all played hide and seek with the children. She also loves a treat called smackos, and I would slightly leave the front room door ajar and hide all her treats. As soon as I said ready, she pushed the door open and found all the smackos hidden in slippers etc. she could find them in a jiffy. We lost her once at a seaside resort as some children scared her off and I thought we would never find her again. But when we went back to car park she was under our car in a massive car park and people were trying to get her out but she wouldn’t have any of that. When we arrived she cried like a baby.
paulf says
Sounds like she was very smart indeed Gloria!
Graham Pollitt says
I have a lurcher (whippet/greyhound). Absolutely agree with everything you say. Truly amazing animals.
Judy says
We are now enjoying our 6th whippet.. a very food driven lady of seven who we dearly love. When we return home she shows off running up and down the length of the house. Such a wonderful character.
paulf says
She sounds just like our Whippet (Misty) Judy. She goes bonkers when we come home, and sprints in and out of the house…. she’s mostly excited though as she thinks she gets a treat when the bipeds return!
Steve K says
I have been a Whippet slave for over 16yrs. At one point we had three Blues… one from a pup and the other two were rescues. I can honestly say that I hated dogs in the past… ‘dirty, smelly creatures’ I would say and then one day, after years of pestering from my wife, we decided we could offer a home to one as we had the time. I reluctantly agreed BUT on the condition that my wife could name the dog and I chose the breed. I could have knocked her down with a feather when I declared that my choice would be a Whippet! She thought I would go for an Alsatian or Rottweiler or something big and macho… but the truth is I wanted something to love and protect… I don’t need protecting, I’m a lump of a human being. Anyway, I always remembered a childhood friend and his house FULL of every sighthound breed available to man and the one particular small greyhound, Sukie, that lent on my legs for a fuss every time I went there…bear in mind I hated dogs 😆😆😆
Fast forward to 2006 and I found myself holding this slip of a pup my wife named Jessie. It took me about 9 months to start to ‘get it’ about these amazing creatures… the more time I spent with her (Jessie) the more my old hangups splintered away. I would have laughed in the face of anyone that told me that I would end up with 3 Blue Whippets… but I did. I have ‘missed out’ on many things because I refused to be separated from them and I refused to kennel them. I have grown into a mellow image of my former self. I find myself putting my hounds needs first all the time. We are down to one hound now but when her time comes, I will start again with another… I cannot, not have a Whippet in my life ❤️
Whippets are… Sassy, smart, lazy, cunning, irritating, bossy, sneaky, low down, underhanded rat bags that will steal your food, sofa, warm spot, bed… your heart… and you will always be their slave… and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
If you want me to sum up 16yrs with these adorable fellow creatures I will say this… we as a species can learn a lot from them… I consider myself to be ‘cured’… they are just the most amazing breed x
paulf says
Steve… this is just about the best comment I have ever had explaining why Whippets are the best! Thanks so much for taking the time to provide such detail about how your were converted from “dog hater” to “Whippet slave” in a few short months all those years ago!
Brynn says
I have lab/bordie/pitbull cross and everyone says she looks and runs as fast as whippet, and after you describing what a whippet is, my dog is %100 the same + loves to swim, she is my adventure dog and is so amazing I don’t think I could ever replace her, but if I had to I don’t think I’ll find cross bread like her, so a Whippet may be my only choice* thank you for the review😊
paulf says
Awww… thank you Brynn!
Kate Copp says
Yes, I have a gorgeously pretty large rescue whippet (Lady) who’s nearly ten now. Some lurcher in her too, but as she was picked up from the streets when around 2yrs old I don’t have her history.
She is ALL the things you mention! She is SO funny – makes me laugh lots! Very affectionate and people-friendly too – goes up to everyone for a petting! Known and loved by so many people locally. Sunday morning treat… snuggles on the bed. Rest of the week is snuggles on the settee!!
paulf says
Rose sounds very typical Kate! Such great friends!
Cheralyn Taylor says
I’ve owned whippets all my life, Rose has been with me from 10 weeks old, she’s now 9 years now. She was Lancashire born and bread, a very petite brindle. Loyal and loving, can be a diva on occasions, especially with Bernard my rescue terrier. He also loves her dearly, he always warms a spot then gives it up for her. She drapes herself over him for warmth, she can hear the fridge door open even if she’s in another room, very food driven! I think she can tell the time as well as she knows exactly when it’s hers and Bernards supper time, and will remind you, even if you’re watching Corrie.
They’re a bread I’d strongly recommend, very easy to care for, no trouble, happy to stay at home for short periods of time, loves going to the local as well. What more could you wish for in a canine companion?
paulf says
Agreed Cheralyn… the best dog breed ever! Thanks for telling us about Rose.
Catherine Blair says
Hello. My daughter has a Whippet (male), he is a wonderful pet.. she has two sons and Victor is fantastic with the boys. A gentle giant. I absolutely recommend this breed for a family pet. They are beautiful to look at.