Whippet

Like every breed, the Whippet is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Start positive, reward-based training early, and be ready to be patient.
• Socialise your puppy from a young age with lots of people, dogs and experiences to build confidence.
• Work hard on recall, but do not rely on it: the thrill of the chase can make a Whippet forget its owner.
• If you have a cat, look for a breeder who rears puppies with cats, and teach your puppy that the cat is not a toy to chase.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Usually sociable with other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually happier in a house.

• Garden

  A secure garden is strongly advised.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Some dog experience helps.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

  A gradual loss of sight over months or years. A puppy's parents should be screened for it.

• Mitral valve disease

  A heart condition in which a valve weakens and allows blood to flow back into the heart.

• Immune-mediated conditions

  Problems where the body's immune system reacts against its own cells.

• Skin and bone injuries

  Whippets are delicate, with thin skin that is easily cut by sharp objects, and they can damage their bones when running on uneven ground.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Whippet home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Whippet home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Whippet suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Whippets do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.