Whippet characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | 33% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | High | 35% of breeds |
| Good with children | High | — |
| Grooming needs | Very Low | 12% of breeds |
| Shedding | Low | 26% of breeds |
| Barking | Very Low | 4% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Very Low | 2% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Very High | 9% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Whippet right for you?
The Whippet is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. In terms of temperament, it is reliably good with children and a solid family choice and has almost no watchdog instinct and welcomes everyone. Day to day, the Whippet needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Whippet needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. With medium energy and very high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Whippet to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Whippet is about as low-effort to groom as dogs get and sheds only lightly. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Whippet trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions and is very quiet and rarely barks. It prefers not to be left and handles short absences only, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Whippet
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Whippet genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Protectiveness: Very low — the Whippet is unusually unguarded — friendly to strangers, and no kind of watchdog. Only 2% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Barking: Very low — the Whippet is unusually quiet, one of the few breeds that rarely uses its voice. Only 4% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Adaptability: Very high — the Whippet adapts to changes of home and routine better than almost any breed here. Only 9% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: Very low — the Whippet needs unusually little coat maintenance. Only 12% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Whippet actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Minimal coat work — an occasional wipe-down and little else. |
| Time alone | Wants company. Long days alone are where the problems start. |
| Noise | Notably quiet. |
Where the Whippet fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | Medium energy and very low barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | High child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Poor fit | Very high prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Depends | Low independence — this breed wants company and shows it when it does not get any. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
Guides the Whippet is ranked in
The Whippet earns a place on 9 of our lifestyle shortlists:
Perfect for
- Apartment living
- Gentle families
- First-time sighthound owners
- Moderate exercise needs
Things to consider
- Strong prey drive
- Cold sensitive
- Needs soft bedding
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Whippet good with children?
- Yes — the Whippet is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the Whippet shed a lot?
- The Whippet has low shedding.
- How much exercise does the Whippet need?
- With medium energy, the Whippet needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Whippet live?
- The Whippet typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Whippet live in an apartment?
- The Whippet can live in an apartment provided it gets enough daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- Is the Whippet easy to train?
- The Whippet trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Whippet be left alone during the day?
- The Whippet prefers not to be left and handles short absences only. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.