Hound group · England
Whippet
Also called Snap Dog, English Whippet.
What makes them remarkable
Known as the “poor man’s racehorse”, this smaller sighthound became a racing favourite in Victorian England.
- Affectionate
- Playful
- Calm
- Quiet
- Gentle
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 11 to 18 kg25 to 40 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 15 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Very Low
Training
Training a Whippet
Hound breeds. Recall is the whole game. Build it on a long line before you trust it, and never punish a slow return.
Sensitive to Correction
Start here
Very sensitive breed that responds best to gentle, positive training methods. Harsh treatment causes them to shut down.
Recall Challenges
Strong prey drive means they should only be off-lead in fully enclosed areas. A running rabbit trumps any recall.
Indoor Calm, Outdoor Speed
Whippets are sprinters, not endurance athletes. A few short runs satisfy them, then they happily relax indoors.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Whippet and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to hunt by scent or sight, often far from the handler. Independent, with a nose or eyes that override you.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersModerate
- CatsLow
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 30-60 minutes daily. Short, intense play sessions followed by relaxation. Loves coursing (chasing a fake rabbit round a field).
- Grooming
- Minimal maintenance. Occasional brushing, thin coat needs sweaters in cold weather.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Short, Smooth, FineFawn, Black, Blue, Brindle, White, Red, Cream
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Arrhythmia
Moderate
Sighthounds have naturally irregular heartbeats that can sometimes indicate heart issues
Eye Problems
Moderate
Progressive retinal atrophy can occur in the breed
Skin Lacerations
Mild
Thin skin tears easily; caution during play and running
Where they come from
History
Developed in Victorian England as a smaller, more affordable version of the Greyhound. Known as "the poor man's racehorse," they were bred for rabbit coursing and racing.
- Whiskey · Featured in numerous fashion campaigns due to the breed's elegant appearance
Similar breeds
All breeds
Greyhound
A sprinter capable of around 45 mph, the Greyhound was bred to chase by sight.
Large · Hound
Pharaoh Hound
Despite its Egyptian-sounding name, this rabbit hunter is associated with Malta, where it is the national dog.
Medium · Hound
Beagle
The white tip on many Beagles’ tails helped hunters spot them while their noses were down following a trail.
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Bloodhound
Its tracking reputation goes back to hounds bred by monks at the Saint-Hubert monastery in Belgium.
Large · Hound