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I’ll put my hands up right now and admit that my Whippet sleeps with me in my bed. I know this is something that many people find revolting and I know that others say it’s a health risk. The thing is… Whippets love to sleep under covers!
I love curling up with my Whippet at night… especially in the winter. However, this probably has a lot to do with the fact that Whippets don’t like being on their own for long periods. It probably also has a lot to do with the fact that whippets love to burrow under covers and sleep there if they can.
So why do Whippets sleep under covers like this? Is it normal for Whippets to burrow under blankets and duvets. Should you let your Whippet sleep under the covers with you in your bed at night?
Table of Contents
- Why Do Whippets Like to Sleep Under the Covers?
- Is it Safe to Allow Your Whippet to Sleep in Your Bed?
- Summary
- Related Posts
Why Do Whippets Like to Sleep Under the Covers?
Many dogs like the idea of staying with their masters at night. However, it’s not necessarily because they can’t bear to be apart from them… though for some breeds like Whippets probably one of the reasons.
There are two primary reasons why dogs like to burrow and sleep under covers:
- Dogs tend to be “denning” creatures.
- Dogs are pack animals.
The concept of denning relates to the idea that dogs have an innate instinct to find a place to sleep that’s warm and that feels safe: a den, if you like. This idea of a den would have been driven by a survival instinct from your dog’s wild days.
Secondly, dogs are pack animals. Sleeping under the covers with you beside them replicates the ancestral experience of dogs, where pack members would sleep as close to the leader as possible.
Presumably your dog will see you as pack leader!
I guess a third reason might be that dogs like feeling of the weight of bed covers on their bodies. This perhaps contributes to a sense of being cosy and safe.
In terms of Whippets, they are fair weather creatures. The have short coats and practically no body fat and this means they tend to seek out comfort and warmth. Hence Whippets probably like to sleep under covers because it keeps them cosy!
Is it Safe to Allow Your Whippet to Sleep Under the Covers in Your Bed?
I know that many people are completely against the idea of sharing their bed with their dog. Some people feel it’s an unhygienic and unhealthy practise and I understand this.
It’s true that Dogs can be mucky creatures… and some dog breeds are more mucky than others!
Fur
Exceptionally furry dogs (such as Longhaired Whippets) leave more tangible evidence of shedding, which means your bed might need more cleaning. Some dogs also tend to shed more than others, especially at certain times of the year. Hint… you might need to groom your dog with a vacuum!
Although Whippets don’t shed very much, they still shed… let’s not forget that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. So if you suffer from allergies, allowing your Whippet to sleep under the covers with you will likely trigger them.
How Hypoallergenic Are Whippets?
There is also the possibility (albeit slim) that you and your dog might make each other unwell by transmitting germs.
Separation
A further concern about bed sharing is that your Whippet might come to believe it’s the dominant personality in the relationship or that it might become too attached to you.
I understand this second view since Whippets do get very attached to their owners. Hence, some people believe Whippets cannot be left alone and allowing them to sleep in your bed might lead to increased separation anxiety.
As someone who does allow their Whippet to sleep under the covers with them, I can say the benefits outweigh the risks. That said, I don’t suffer from allergies!
I don’t feel that my Whippet suffers increased feelings of superiority or more acute separation anxiety than any other Whippet just because she sleeps under the covers with me.
The PupProtector Waterproof Dog Bed Blanket
Lack of Sleep
The biggest drawback in my experience is that my Whippet doesn’t stay in one place all night: one minute she’s under the covers, the next she gets too hot and comes up for air. This can unsettle your sleep as your dog will invariably wake you up as they regulate their temperature.
Perhaps the biggest concern that you might have allowing your Whippet to sleep under your bed covers is that they’ll either suffocate or get injured if you roll on them. In my experience of allowing our Whippet to sleep in our bed for many years, this has never been a problem.
If you’re at all worried about this, make sure your bed covers are not tightly tucked into your bed to make movement difficult for you and your Whippet.
Summary
If you have recently acquired a Whippet or you’re thinking about providing a home to one, how you all live together at night will be a question you have to address.
Whippets are famous for wanting to spend their waking and sleeping hours with you! Indeed, one of the first questions Whippet owners I meet ask me is… does your Whippet allow you to sleep under the covers of their bed with them!
Many people don’t like the idea of sharing their bed with a dog, and I understand this: it’s not for everyone.
However, as long as you clean and groom your Whippet appropriately, keep your bed clean and don’t mind being woken up from time to time, allowing your Whippet to sleep under YOUR bed covers is a pleasant experience.
Related Posts:
- Why Do Whippets Shake?
- A Whippet Owner’s Starter Kit
- Are Whippets Good Apartment Dogs?
- A Guide to Whippet Colouration
- Why Do Whippets Sleep So Much?
Do you have a Whippet that loves getting underneath covers and blankets? Or perhaps you know a Whippet that has this tendency? Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page to let me know.
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Trish says
Wasn’t too sure if it was a good idea letting my dog sleep under the covers but Nige has his own idea about our sleeping arrangements 🙄.
It’s when I wake up to his head on the pillow as well as him under the covers?! I give in because deep down I know that I’ll never win.
paulf says
Ha! That sounds exactly like the position we’re in with our Whippet Misty Trish!
Susan says
I have had 2 Whippets both of which have shared my bed. Tootsie is currently on the pillow behind me and will move at will under the covers. I couldn’t be happy without my bed partners.
Stuart Jamieson says
Yes my beautiful chaotic blue 8mth old bitch is under my quilt as we speak. We got a ritual that she wakes up, got to play with her toys with her for about twenty minutes then she’s under the quilt! Lovely dogs… loving, gentle and a pleasure to see them out running. Love them!
Jeni says
I have a pocket beagle who sleeps in my bed and under the covers. She needs to be touching me. When sitting on the sofa she is always next to me under a blanket. I love her and it doesn’t bother me other than to wash the bedding more.
paulf says
I know the feeling Jeni!
B.Baldwin says
My 5-year old whippet and I are kind of attached in everything we do and that includes sleeping in the same bed. What make us a little different is that my Whippet is also my Diabetic Alert Service Dog (DAD) as well as being my best friend. We have been a team since she was a pup and was going through training with my first DAD, that also happened to be her Grandfather that served me until his dying day at the age 14.
As most whippet owners know, whippets love togetherness and keeping an eye on everything, especially if it moves. I’m blessed that my whippet will also wake up from a dead-sleep and alert me in the middle of the night before my blood sugar drops too low that I’m not able to help myself. She will nudge, paw, stand on me and bounce until I wake up and can drink a glass of orange juice after checking my blood sugar with my glucometer or check my continuous glucose monitor that works with my insulin pump. Since I live alone, having her by my side at night not only provides her a safe warm place to rest, but helps me in guaranteeing that I’ll be able to wake up and continue working and functioning in this busy and ever changing world. The best part of which I get to share with my best friend…., type-1 diabetes, or no diabetes.
She’s my guardian angel!
paulf says
Thank you so much for telling us about your very clever Whippet!
Whippets really are the best!
Kerry says
I have a staffy cross whippet and she sleeps with me… she follows me everywhere!
Steve Smith says
Greyhounds, although much larger exhibit exactly the same tendencies. My Greyhounds tend to sleep under the covers all night and not move at all. I trade off and I usually just keep one but I have had two in my California king size bed!
Amber says
We adopted a dog from the shelter 12yrs ago, he was 9m old. He was abandoned on the streets by his owners, he was malnourished, we were told he was a whippet. As he got older and grew into his body and became healthy he no longer looked like a whippet except for a few details. We had to put him down a couple days ago due to a tumor on his spleen and his heart. But, after reading this article, it fits my dog to T!
We never found out what he was because we loved him and didn’t care. He was our 90lb whippet lol he loved to bury himself in anything resembling a blanket, he would never leave my side. We went on vacation when he was around 7 and left him home with my dad and this dog was so sad he wouldn’t move. My dad said he probably when to the bathroom once over the 7days we were gone. He had all the personality traits of a whippet.
Thank you for sharing this!
paulf says
Hello Amber. I’m so sorry to hear your sad news but I’m sure you gave him the best life.
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about him.
Deb says
We rescued a Jack Russell Whippet mix. She is the sweetest thing! She loves to sleep curled in a ball under the comforter. Usually wrapped around my husband’s legs. She lets you know when she wants to get under the covers by putting her paw on your shoulder & giving you her tired look!
Thanks for sharing Whippet info!
Trish says
My whippet Nigel sleeps on my bed on his own duvet – it’s a hoot. He’s a lovely dog. He’s the first dog that I’ve ever owned and I can’t believe what a kind creature he is. We’ve taught each other a lot and he’s kept me sane over recent years. He’s my best pal.
R. Brindle says
I didn’t think my dogs had Whippet lineage. Their heritage is actually unknown. I do believe they have Rat Terrier and Chihuahua however based on looks and size. 3 siblings from one litter and they all burrow in my bed. I usually make them get between the comforter and top sheet and that helps. They love taking Dad’s spot and imitate him when he leaves for work. Heads on his pillow, snoring or talking in their sleep, lol. Been really handy bed warmers during this cold spell. We just love them.
Sarah Reinard says
My rescue whippet Stanley has his own pillow… in my bed! He sleeps like a person with his head on his pillow. His legs sometimes poke my ribs and he has loud dreams. I wouldn’t change a thing. He knows he is safe and loved.
Stanley had a very sad start and I’m making up for it. Rescue if you can! Please x
Paul says
I have a Rat terrier, as you probably know have Whippet blood, he always sleeps under covers and with me, l don’t care what people say about him sleeping with me.
lena c says
Ha! I have a client who always has one whippet in the mix: Strawberry was always wanting to be on you for heat. She would want to wear her coat all summer. I used to put an extra fleece dog blanket with fringe all over like a gilly suit, on her like a horse blanket, she could roam from bed to bed with it, and keep roasty toasty on her own. BUT her preferred spot was pressed up against you in bed, under the covers. she was the best snuggle buddy to nap with, and she is greatly missed : )
The new kid on the block is Tate, and so far he seem more independent, and definitely missing the intense stare (think “the Simpsons” dog ‘santas little helper’). I’ve never been around a whippet puppy, he is awfully full of beans!!!
paulf says
Hi Lena… Whippets do LOVE to get right under the bed covers don’t they!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences… they made me smile with recognition!
Shirl says
My Whippet burrows under the cover barks at anything she hears does zoomies wonderful to be around
paulf says
Whippets are just the best aren’t they Shirl? Such characters!