Apartment fit
Whippets are often good apartment dogs because they are calm and quiet indoors after exercise. The key requirement is access to safe outdoor movement, not a large house.
HoundMediumGreat Britain
Whippet
Weight
25-40 lb
Height
18-22 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Whippet is a medium British sighthound: gentle and quiet indoors, explosive in short sprints, sensitive in training, and strongly driven to chase moving animals.
Medium British sighthound built for speedCalm and affectionate indoors when exercisedLow grooming needs but sensitive skin and cold toleranceNeeds secure areas because chase drive can override recall
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
No widely used alternate names are recorded for this breed.
GentleAffectionateQuietAthleticSensitivePrey-driven
Weight
25-40 lb
Height
18-22 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Low
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Whippet was developed in Britain as a smaller sighthound built for speed, racing, and coursing. It is often described as a smaller relative of the Greyhound, with a deep chest, narrow waist, fine skin, and smooth coat designed for fast bursts rather than all-day heavy work.
At home, many Whippets are calm, affectionate, and surprisingly quiet when their exercise needs are met. Outdoors, the same dog can change instantly when it sees a squirrel, rabbit, or fast-moving object. Secure exercise areas matter because recall can fail when chase drive takes over.
The breed suits owners who want a gentle, athletic companion and can provide safe sprinting opportunities, soft handling, and protection from cold weather. Whippets are usually easier to groom than many breeds, but their thin skin, low body fat, and sensitivity make careful handling and sensible management important.
Temperament & Personality
GentleAffectionateQuietAthleticSensitivePrey-driven
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a gentle, affectionate, quiet companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, low barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Low
Colors
Black, Blue, Brindle, Fawn, Red, White, All colors and markings
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly5/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly4/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- A home-friendly apartment match
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- low shedding and coat upkeep
- low barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- owners who want a gentle athletic companion
- apartments or houses with access to secure running areas
- families who can supervise respectful handling
- people who prefer low grooming needs
Not ideal for
- homes where the dog must be reliably off leash in open areas
- owners who dislike using coats in cold weather
- rough households that may injure a thin-skinned dog
- people expecting a guard dog
Common challenges
- chasing wildlife, cats, or fast-moving small animals
- cold sensitivity in winter weather
- thin skin that can tear or scrape
- training around outdoor distractions
Barking & behavior
The breed is usually quieter than many dogs, but it may bark from excitement, frustration, or alerting. Most behavior issues come from insufficient exercise, boredom, or unmanaged chase drive.
Training style
Keep training gentle, short, and rewarding. Practice recall and leash skills carefully, but manage off-leash freedom with fencing because training cannot erase sighthound chase instinct.
Grooming & shedding
Grooming is simple: occasional brushing, nail trimming, dental care, and skin checks. In cold weather, many Whippets need a well-fitting coat.
Care Guide
Exercise
Whippets need daily walks plus chances to run safely in a fenced area. They are sprinters rather than endurance workers, so short fast bursts, lure games, recall practice in secure spaces, and relaxed rest time usually fit better than constant high-impact exercise.
Grooming
The short smooth coat is easy to maintain with occasional brushing or wiping. Check nails, teeth, ears, and skin regularly because Whippets can pick up cuts or scrapes more easily than heavier-coated breeds.
Training
Use gentle reward-based training and avoid harsh corrections. Whippets are sensitive and may shut down under pressure, but they respond well to food, play, routine, and patient practice in low-distraction settings before moving outdoors.
Nutrition
Feed a measured diet that keeps the dog lean without hiding healthy muscle tone. Because Whippets are naturally slim, owners should learn normal sighthound body shape instead of overfeeding to make the dog look like a heavier breed.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Low
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
2/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather2/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Heart diseaseEye diseaseThin skin and cutsAnesthesia sensitivityDental disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Whippet a good apartment dog?
Yes, many Whippets do well in apartments if they get daily walks and safe running outlets. They are often quiet indoors, but they still need exercise and secure places to sprint.
Do Whippets need a lot of exercise?
Whippets need regular activity, but they are sprinters rather than nonstop endurance dogs. Most do well with daily walks, play, and safe off-leash running in a fenced area.
Can Whippets be trusted off leash?
Only in secure areas. Whippets are sighthounds with strong chase drive, and a moving animal can override recall even in a well-trained dog.
Do Whippets shed a lot?
No. Whippets have a short smooth coat with low shedding and simple grooming needs, though they still need nail, dental, ear, and skin care.
Are Whippets good with children?
Many Whippets are gentle with respectful children, but they have thin skin and a sensitive nature. Supervision matters, especially with rough play or very young children.
Are Whippets good for first-time owners?
Whippets can be a good first dog for owners who understand secure exercise, gentle training, cold-weather protection, and prey-drive management.
Do Whippets get cold easily?
Yes. Their short coat and low body fat mean many Whippets need a coat in cold, wet, or windy weather.
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