Whippet

A Whippet does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared under your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Choose a complete, age-appropriate formula that meets recognized nutritional standards, and match it to the dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Speak with your veterinarian before adding any supplements.

Given the Whippet's petite build, keeping it lean matters, and a dog in ideal lean condition can look too thin to the untrained eye. Some Whippets put on weight easily, so watch calorie intake and body condition, and reduce portions if your pup gains weight. Treats help with training, but too many lead to obesity, so learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Because Whippets are at risk for bloat (GDV), never feed one large meal and never free-feed. Feed puppies at least three times a day on a regular schedule, then move to twice a day as they grow. A slow feeder bowl helps if your Whippet eats too fast.

The exact amount depends on its weight, health, and other factors. Follow the serving sizes on the food bag, talk feeding through with your veterinarian, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

The Whippet's short, smooth coat is low maintenance and sheds less than many breeds. A weekly brush and the occasional bath cover most of it. During spring, when shedding picks up, use a soft brush so you do not irritate the skin.

Whippets have sensitive, thin skin, so any product you use, including shampoo, should be made for dogs and gentle on the body. That thin skin plus a love of sprinting means your Whippet can get hurt out in the world. Check it for cuts or abrasions after a day at the park, and contact your veterinarian if anything looks alarming.

Check the ears regularly, and contact your veterinarian if you notice redness, odor, or discharge. Cleaning the ears with a dog-specific cleanser can help deter infections. Genetic eye defects show up in Whippets but are very rare, so most need no special eye care, though some may develop vision changes with age.

Trim the nails often if they do not wear down on their own, since overly long nails cause discomfort. All dogs need regular dental care, including at-home brushing and professional cleanings, and the Whippet is no exception.

Whippets are sprinters by nature, with the energy and athleticism to match. Daily exercise can take the form of several vigorous retrieving sessions a week with a ball or flying disc, regular walks, or play with another dog in a safely fenced area. Whippets are social, may enjoy activity with another dog, and can participate in dog sports.

Organized activities like lure coursing and agility give the breed a healthy outlet. They do not need to run for hours, and they do not need their own backyard to be content, but they do need room to stretch their long legs. Outings should give them plenty of time to take in the environment through their nose.

Whippets have a strong chase instinct and may pursue cats, squirrels, or other moving animals faster than a person can intervene. Keep your Whippet on lead whenever you are not in a fenced space, and if you let it off-leash, make sure it is inside a tall, secure fence to protect both the dog and smaller animals.

Whippets are smart and eager to please, which makes training relatively easy. Use positive methods, such as treats, praise, toys, or exercise as rewards, since this is a sensitive breed. Start training and socialization young, and use puppy classes to help the dog grow into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. Young Whippets can jump and climb, so confine them safely when they are not supervised.

Whippets mix happy and friendly with calm and quiet, and they usually get along with new people and other animals when socialized early. Because they can be nervous, expose your puppy to other animals, people, and new situations often so it grows into a confident dog.

A home with loud, rambunctious small kids may be too much for a sensitive Whippet, and sighthounds in general tend to suit a calmer, quieter home. That does not make them unsuitable for children, though. Introduce Whippets and children gradually and supervise their interactions.