Whippet Overview
Origin: United Kingdom
Developed in Victorian England by crossing Greyhounds with smaller terriers. Known as the "poor man's racehorse," Whippets were used for rabbit coursing and racing by coal miners in northern England.
Sleek, athletic English sighthound developed in the 19th century for lure coursing. Medium-sized, elegant dogs with remarkable speed. Gentle, affectionate companions that combine athleticism with calm, home-loving temperament. Unlike Greyhounds, adapt well to apartment living due to moderate exercise and small size.
Excellent for active individuals and families in warm Australian climates. Short coat requires minimal grooming. Thrive in heat. Form strong bonds with families and are gentle with children. However, high prey drive means small animals are at risk.
Suit active apartment dwellers, heat-climate owners, and families with older children. Excellent companions for those seeking a fast, athletic dog without excessive grooming or space demands.
Whippet Personality & Temperament
Understanding the Whippet temperament is the most important step before bringing one home.
Gentle, affectionate, eager to please, athletic | Sensitive and responsive to correction; high prey drive; excellent with children; good with other dogs; calm indoors; low barking | Gentle with children; problematic with small animals; low barking; low-to-moderate separation anxiety
Breed Ratings at a Glance
How the Whippet scores across key traits (1 = Low, 5 = High).
Is a Whippet Right for You?
✅
Apartment
Excellent; small, low barking
✅
House with yard
Excellent; safe place to sprint
✅
First-time owner
Good suitability; gentle, trainable
✅
Renters
Excellent; small, quiet
✅
Hot climate (QLD/NT/WA)
Excellent; short coat, lean frame
⚠️
Cold climate (VIC/TAS/ACT)
Fair; need jumpers in cold
✅
Elderly/retired owners
Good; gentle, low barking
✅
Working owners (8hrs alone)
Fair; low-to-moderate separation anxiety
✅
Rural/acreage
Excellent; space to run safely
✅
Active lifestyle
Perfect; athletic, enjoy running
Separation Anxiety: Low to moderate — this breed may struggle if left alone for long periods.
Whippet Size & Appearance
Size
Medium
Weight M
12–14 kg
Weight F
10–13 kg
Height
47–56 cm
Coat
Short, smooth, fine
Colours
Any colour or combination (fawn, brindle, red, blue, black, white)
Variations
None
Brachycephalic
No
Hypoallergenic
No
Whippet Health & Lifespan
14 years
Average Lifespan
Known Health Conditions
Irregular heartbeat; detected via ECG. Often asymptomatic but can cause collapse.
Est. treatment: $800–$2,000
Genetic eye disease causing gradual vision loss.
Est. treatment: $1,000–$2,000
Whippets are delicate despite athleticism. High-speed injury risk.
Est. treatment: $2,000–$4,000
Long, floppy ears trap moisture. Requires regular cleaning.
Est. treatment: $200–$500
Underactive thyroid. Signs: weight gain, lethargy. Managed with medication.
Est. treatment: $500–$1,200/year
Sighthounds sensitive to anaesthesia. Requires careful dosing.
Est. treatment: $0 (precaution)
Recommended Health Tests:
Cardiac evaluation, ophthalmologist evaluation, BAER hearing test
Pet Insurance for Whippet
Avg Annual Insurance: $700
Monthly Estimate: $600–$1,000/month. Insurers: Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover.
Recommended Insurers:
• Bow Wow Meow
• PD Insurance
• Petinsurance.com.au
• Budget Direct
• Petcover
• NRMA
TIP: Insure before 6 months.
Compare insurance policies for your Whippet
Given this breed's known health conditions, comprehensive coverage is recommended for Australian owners.
Compare Pet Insurance →
Whippet Cost of Ownership (AUD)
| Category | Amount (AUD) |
|---|
| PURCHASE |
$1,000 - $3,000 |
| Food |
$1,600 |
| Vet |
$500 |
| Grooming |
$150 |
| Insurance |
$700 |
| TOTAL/yr |
$2,240 |
| Monthly |
$120 |
| LIFETIME (14 yrs) |
$31,360 |
| FIRST-YEAR EXTRAS |
$1,200–$2,200 (desexing, vax, microchip, setup, puppy school) |
$31,360
Estimated lifetime cost (14 years)
All prices in AUD. Costs vary by state, vet, and lifestyle. Sources: PetSure, RSPCA, Animal Medicines Australia.
Whippet Grooming Guide
Frequency
Weekly
Brushing
Weekly brush; minimal grooming
Professional Cost
$40–$60
Coat
Short, smooth, fine
Shedding
★★☆☆☆/5
Tools
Slicker/pin brush, deshedding tool, nail clippers
Nails
Every 4–6 weeks | Ears: Monthly | Teeth: 2–3×/week
Whippet Exercise Needs
Daily Exercise
60 minutes
Type
Sprinting, lure coursing, fetch, running
Energy
★★★★☆/5
Separation Anxiety
Low to moderate
Mental Stimulation
Puzzle feeders, sniff walks, 10min training/day
Sports
Agility, flyball, scent work, swimming (breed-dependent)
Training Your Whippet
Trainability: ★★★☆☆/5
First-Time Owner: ★★★☆☆/5
Intelligent and eager to please, but high prey drive means recall training is critical. Early socialisation essential. Respond well to positive reinforcement. Sensitive to correction. Generally easy to train compared to other sighthounds.
Tips: Positive reinforcement only | Puppy school 8–12 weeks
Short 5–10min sessions | Socialise early with dogs, people, sounds
Whippet Feeding Guide
Annual Food Cost: $1,600
1–2 cups daily, split into two meals. High-quality small-medium breed kibble (18–24% protein). Expect $15–$25/week. Monitor for food allergies.
Tips: Premium kibble + 2 meals/day | Monitor weight | Fresh water always
Avoid: grapes, onion, chocolate, xylitol, macadamias
Finding a Reputable Whippet Breeder
REGISTRIES:
• ANKC (ankc.org.au)
• RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au)
GREEN FLAGS: Health tests, ANKC/RPBA reg, visits allowed, health guarantee, screens buyers
RED FLAGS: Always available, multiple breeds, no health tests, Gumtree/social media sellers, pet shops
✅ Green Flags
- Registered with ANKC, RPBA, MDBA, or RightPaw
- Invites you to visit and meet the mother (dam)
- Provides health test results for parents
- Includes vet certificate, microchip, and vaccination records
- Has a waiting list (sign of demand, not a puppy farm)
❌ Red Flags
- Multiple breeds always available with no wait
- Won't let you visit or meet the mother
- No health testing mentioned
- Price significantly below market average
- Meets in a public place instead of their property
Trusted Australian Registries:
ANKC (ankc.org.au) · RPBA (rpba.org.au) · RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au) · Dogs Australia · ACF
Adopting a Whippet in Australia
RESCUE OPTIONS:
• Whippet Rescue Australia
• PetRescue.com.au
• RSPCA Australia
Adoption Cost: $250–$600 AUD
(includes desexing, microchip, vaccinations)
Search PetRescue.com.au — Australia's largest adoption platform
❤️ Thousands of dogs need homes. Rescue dogs come desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Whippet — Frequently Asked Questions
Good for apartments?
Yes. Small size, low barking, moderate exercise suit apartments well. Calm indoors despite speed.
Exercise needs?
60+ minutes daily of fast activity. Short bursts satisfy their need. Enjoy sprint-type exercise more than long walks.
Off-leash in parks?
No. High prey drive means cats and small dogs trigger chase instinct. Recall unreliable. Use secure parks or leashes.
Get along with small animals?
No. Cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs at high risk. High prey drive inherited from sighthound ancestry.
Insurance cost?
$600–$1,000 annually (Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover).
Sensitive to cold?
Yes. Short coat offers no insulation. Provide jumpers outdoors in VIC, TAS. Not ideal for extremely cold climates.
Lifespan?
12–15 years typical. Long-lived compared to larger breeds.
Health issues?
Heart arrhythmias, progressive retinal atrophy, ear infections, hypothyroidism, bone fractures.
Diet?
1–2 cups daily of high-quality kibble. Expect $15–$25/week. Sensitive to diet changes.
First-time dogs?
Yes. Gentle, trainable, adaptable. However, high prey drive requires management.
