Breed library

Whippet

Also known as English Whippet, Snap dog.

Whippet photograph.
Whippet 2018 6.jpg - Canarian. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whippet_2018_6.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Whippet is a British breed of sighthound. It closely resembles the Greyhound and the smaller Italian Greyhound, and is intermediate between them in size. In the nineteenth century, it was sometimes called "the poor man's racehorse". It is commonly kept as a companion dog, for competitive showing or for amateur racing, and may participate in various dog sports, including lure coursing, agility, and flyball. It has the fastest running speed within its weight and size range, and is believed to have the fastest idle-to-running acceleration of any dog. Whippets are characterized by their gentle, affectionate, and calm temperament. While typically relaxed and serene at home, they exhibit high energy and excitement when outdoors. Originally bred as hunting and racing dogs, Whippets have a strong prey drive, which may lead them to chase small animals.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • In the Victorian era, English writers began describing an emerging modern breed of Whippet, also known as the snap-dog, a term derived from their tendency to readily 'snap up' nearby prey due to their naturally high prey drive.
  • Whippets, like all other sighthounds, were bred to hunt using their sight-driven prey instinct, coursing game in open areas at high speeds.
  • In medieval England, a small greyhound-type breed became popular as a ratting dog.
  • The first written use of the word 'whippet' in English, referring to a type of dog, was in 1610.
  • In a painting by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755) of two dogs named ‘Misse’ and ‘Turlu’, presented to Louis XV, the dogs depicted were either Whippets or another small, smooth-coated sighthound, but they were likely an early form of the Whippet.

Size and appearance

The Whippet is a medium-sized dog with a sleek, aerodynamic body typical of sighthounds, adapted for speed and agility. It has a deep chest for efficient lung capacity, long, slender legs, and a narrow, muscular build characteristic of breeds developed for running. The ideal height for bitches is 44 to 47 cm, and for dogs 47 to 51 cm. The standards of the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club allow for larger animals, with an upper limit of 21.5 in for bitches and 22.5 in for dogs. Because colour is considered immaterial in judging Whippets, they come in a wide variety of colours and marking patterns, ranging from solid black to solid white, with red, fawn, brindle, blue, or cream. In 2019, The Kennel Club announced that it would no longer accept registrations for merle Whippets, as it is not a naturally occurring colour in the breed.

  • Body mass reference: 11 - 18 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 11 - 18 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 44 - 47 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 44 - 47 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 44 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 47 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 47 - 51 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 47 - 51 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 51 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 47 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: short
  • Coat texture: smooth
  • Height category: medium
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

Whippets are quiet and reserved, but they also exhibit a playful side and require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. They are generally gentle dogs and are often content to spend much of the day relaxing. These brief, intense sprints are followed by long periods of rest, reflecting their energetic profile and need for recovery. They have been called a "poor man's racehorse" by the colliers in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.04 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.69 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.83 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.90 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.82 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.93 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.39 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.78 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.09 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.76 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.29 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.56 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.99 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Whippet.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.56 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Whippet.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

  • Activity guidance: high energy

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: short
  • Coat texture: smooth
  • Shedding amount: low

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

In the Victorian era, English writers began describing an emerging modern breed of Whippet, also known as the snap-dog, a term derived from their tendency to readily 'snap up' nearby prey due to their naturally high prey drive. This breed was primarily developed for catching rabbits, coursing competitions, straight racing, and the growing trend of show fancy.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Whippet - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Whippet, revision 1368893394. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Whippet&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Whippet 2018 6.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Whippet 2018 6.jpg - Canarian. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whippet_2018_6.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.