All about your Whippet
Elegant, gentle and lightning fast, a Whippet can’t resist the thrill of the chase. Learn more about this affectionate, friendly and undemanding dog, from their grooming and exercise needs, to the things you can do to keep them happy and healthy.
Breed information & advice
The Whippet belongs to the hound group, and is not a miniature Greyhound as some might suspect. Curvaceous and slender, they are suited to living indoors with their family and despite their reputation for speed and agility; they are quiet and low energy when at home. Here’s more you should know:
- The Whippet is a great companion dog, who loves nothing more than taking their place by the fire – they will need a jacket when outdoors in colder conditionsThe Whippet is a great companion dog, who loves nothing more than taking their place by the fire – they will need a jacket when outdoors in colder conditions
- Because their short coat is light and thin, they won’t need brushing more than once a week – and shed very littleBecause their short coat is light and thin, they won’t need brushing more than once a week – and shed very little
- They’ll typically weigh between 8kg and 22kg, when fully grownThey’ll typically weigh between 8kg and 22kg, when fully grown
- A healthy Whippet will usually live for 12 to 15 yearsA healthy Whippet will usually live for 12 to 15 years
Typical size of a Whippet: Medium: 46cm-56cm
Recommended exercise & nutrition
Your Whippet will be off like greased lightning when you’re on one of your walks together – but don’t worry about keeping up, as that burst of energy doesn’t tend to last. Up to one hour of exercise a day will keep them in shape, and unless you are in a fenced or secure area, you may want to keep them on a leash as they will be hard to retrieve if they pick up a scent.
Feed them twice a day with good quality food, adapting the amount to their size, age and exercise – they will need smaller portions when not exercising, as they have low energy levels when indoors. Check their food packets for portion recommendations.
Up to one hour of exercise per day
Take your Whippet out once or twice a day for up to one hour of exercise, and they’ll thank you for the chance to burn off some energy.
Common health problems & illnesses
Whippets are generally healthy dogs but they’ll need regular check-ups and vaccinations to stay in good shape. There are some conditions that this breed may be more prone to, and it’s worth being aware of the main symptoms, so you know what to watch out for.
Due to their thin coat, the Whippet’s skin is less protected against the elements than many other breeds. It is little wonder then that when outside and racing around at top speed, they might catch or cut their body. Minor scrapes can be cleaned using salt water, and should be kept dry until they heal. Take your dog to a vet if the tear is large and bleeding a lot, as they could need stitches.
Progressive Retinal causes slowly progressive blindness over a period of months or years. If your dog appears to have vision loss, shows sluggish pupillary light responses and has dilated pupils, your vet may suspect PRA. Signs may not be apparent until later in the disease, as dogs will naturally acclimate to their vision loss.
Immune Mediated Disease is an illness that result in the destruction of the body's own cells (cells, e.g red blood cells or platelets), by the immune system. Early treatment is very important if you suspect your dog may have an immune mediated disease, they become life-threatening very quickly and any delay in seeking veterinary help may be fatal.
Whippets have been suggested to be at increased risk for Mitral Valve Heart Disease (MVD). This is a condition that affects the mitral valve in a dog's heart and this condition can lead to congestive heart failure. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, and exercise intolerance. Treatment and prognosis are dependent on the stage of mitral valve disease affecting your dog. If you believe your dog may have mitral valve disease, it is important to take them to your vet for a diagnosis.
While they're still growing, the Whippet can hurt themselves through sheer excitement and overexertion that can lead to injury. When you are walking your puppy, it’s important not to place too much pressure on them during daily exercise – a good rule of thumb is five minutes’ exercise for every month of their age. Check for signs of lameness such as a limp or walking hesitantly.
Dog name popularity
If you’re struggling to think of a name for your new Whippet, take a look at the most popular ones at Tesco Pet Insurance for inspiration.
Luna
Willow
Daisy
Skye
Alfie
Average treatment costs
Wondering whether pet insurance for your Whippet is worth it? We’ve put together the top five conditions claimed for by Tesco Pet Insurance customers in 2021. To give you an idea of how much vet bills can vary, we’ve shown both the average cost and the top 10% most expensive costs for each condition.
Top five conditions and average costs
|
Condition |
Average Cost |
10% Most Expensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Wound |
£608 |
£1,126 |
|
Lameness |
£761 |
£1,952 |
|
Tumour |
£995 |
£2,076 |
|
Dog fight injuries |
£524 |
£926 |
|
Poisoning |
£487 |
£864 |
Tesco Pet Insurance claims data from paid treatments including excesses from 01/01/21 to 31/12/21.
Considering Whippet insurance?
We know your dog is an important member of the family, so give them the protection they deserve with Tesco Pet Insurance.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
Grooming advice
Your Whippet’s short and shiny coat won’t need brushing very often - once a week will be enough. During this time you can also give your pet a look over to check for scratches and cuts. It’s a good chance to pamper them and enjoy bonding.
You won’t need to give them a bath very often either, as your Whippet’s short coat doesn’t usually get too dirty. The general rule is once every three months, but be careful to use a specialised shampoo as this breed tends to have sensitive skin.
Your dog’s nails should wear down naturally, but if you hear their feet clicking when they are walking or running on hard surfaces, you know it’s time to clip them. Being a more sensitive soul, they'll need a lot of encouragement to build up their nerve when you start, and it’s very important not to cut to the quick as this can be painful.
Fun & interesting facts
- Whippets were first bred in Yorkshire and Lancashire during the late 1700s, to help hunters catch their prey.
- The breed competes in many sports including track racing, agility and flyball, while they also make perfect therapy dogs.
- Whippets don’t make good watch dogs as they’re quiet, polite and usually very friendly towards strangers.
- You’ll have a hard time trying to keep them off your furniture as there’s nothing they love more than snuggling on the sofa.
- The Whippet has many famous owners, including Alex James from the band Blur and author Sebastian Faulks.
Important information
The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to pet breeds, but does not constitute expert veterinary advice. If your dog or cat falls ill or has an injury, contact your vet immediately. Tesco Pet Insurance has a partnership with vetfone™ which means that as a customer, you can benefit from their advice as part of your policy.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
All facts and figures were correct at date of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.
Vetfone™ is a 24/7 unlimited, free telephone or video call service that provides expert advice from vets or vet nurses qualified with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). If your pet has a medical emergency, or you need advice on health, grooming, feeding or behaviour Vetfone™ is there to help.
As a Tesco Pet Insurance customer, you can access friendly, expert advice from qualified Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a standard benefit with your policy, and the service is provided at no additional cost. A quick telephone call or video call could answer any questions you have about your pet, give you peace of mind and could even save you a trip to the vet.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
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