Whippet: Know Your Dog Breeds - Dog Lover Facts and Pet Names
What should you know before rescuing or buying a Whippet? These gentle but super speedy dogs make wonderful family pets. Here are our favourite facts about Whippets.
A Short History of Whippets
Descended from the sporting Greyhound but noticeably smaller, the Whippet was first referenced back in 1610 and recognised as a breed in 1891. However, small whippet-like hounds have been depicted in paintings all the way back to Ancient Egyptian times. In the Victorian era, Whippet racing became a hugely popular sport in England. Their long legs, slender frame and gently arched back made them excellent athletes.
Read on below for details about their size, life span and exercise requirements...
Whippet Temperament
What are the personality traits of a Whippet?
Shy and reserved with a playful, lively streak. Athletic and obedient.
The jittery Whippet is a curious mixture streamlined speed machine and a gentle, old soul. It's important to bear in mind that Whippets are sighthounds so they do have a tendency to chase other small animals. Cats. Hamsters. Rabbits. So, probably best avoided if you also own one of those.
They don't bark much (only when necessary) and this makes them excellent watchdogs in the home. And, best of all, Whippets are faithful, devoted and incredibly loving.
The quick stats...
How long do Whippets live? How much exercise do Whippets need? Do Whippets shed?
Height - Dogs (Male) 47 to 51cm and Bitches (Female) 44 to 47cm
Weight - 6.8 to 19.1kg (15 to 42 pounds)
Coat Type - Short, smooth and close
Colour - Anything except for Merle is recognised as a breed standard
Life Span - 12 to 15 years
Grooming - Low shedding with an easy-to-maintain coat (brush once a week)
Exercise - 1 hour per day
Scroll down for our fantastic pet name recommendations and other interesting Whippet facts.
Do you love Whippets? Perhaps you own one yourself or know someone who has recently welcomed home an adorable Whippet puppy. Here at Coulson Macleod, we make wonderfully wordy Whippet designs for dog lovers.
Made in our UK studio. Personalisation and worldwide shipping available.
Whippet Pet Name Ideas
If you're bringing your new puppy home soon, you might be searching for name ideas for a Whippet. Naturally, something that alludes to their speed or small stature might be a good fit. Or perhaps something a little bit more quirky...
25 unique Whippet dog names for male and female dogs with a few unisex ones thrown in there, too.
Ace
Bambi
Bandit
Bernie
Blaze
Buzz
Duke
Gizmo
Gus
Honey
Iggy
Jasper
Luna
Mabel
Mouse
Nelly
Noodle
Nora
Oakley
Pepper
Percy
Pixie
Rosie
Rupert
Spike
Has a Whippet ever won 'Best in Show' at Crufts?
Yes - more than once! In 1992 a Whippet named Pencloe Dutch Gold proudly won 'best in show'. More recently, winners include Cobyco Call The Tune (2004) and Collooney Tartan Tease (2018).
5 Interesting Facts About Whippets
They can reach top speeds of 35mph (miles per hour) or 56kmh (kilometres per hour). The same as a car in residential areas. That's very speedy, indeed. One of the fastest dog breeds in the world.
Whippets tend to tremble quite a lot. Which adds to their reputation of being fearful. However, this behaviour is normally down to having very little body fat and a short coat - making them sensitive to cold. So, they're usually just chilly and are shaking to warm up. This is also why you tend to see whippets in fancy jumpers.
They need special collars. Due to their slender frame, Whippets' necks are tiny. A standard size small in most pet shops simply won't do. This is why many owners opt for a harness.
In 2012, Whippet named Davy set the Guinness World Record for 'longest flying disc catch' The frisbee was thrown a whopping 402 feet (or 122.5 metres).
And lastly, it's absolutely no surprise that this athletic breed also holds the Guinness World Record for 'farthest jump by a dog'. As of 2022, a dog named Sounders jumped 36 feet 6 inches (11.12 metres) into a canine dock jumping pool. Blimey!
Whippet Crossbreeds
So-called 'designer' dog breeds can be a controversial talking point for various reasons. But if you've ever wondered, what do you call a Whippet crossed with a....? Then, now you know.
Jack-A-Whip - Jack Russell Terrier x Whippet
Chiwhip - Chihuahua x Whippet
Whipoodle - Poodle x Whippet
Whiphund - Dachshund x Whippet
How popular are Whippets in the UK or USA?
The Whippet is certainly experiencing a surge in popularity in recent years. In 2021, 5760 Whippets were registered within the UK making it one of the top 20 breeds. Whereas around 1500 are registered annually in the USA (considerably less than in the UK).
