Whipador (Whippet & Lab Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
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What do you get when you mix two the Whippet and the Labrador Retriever? You get the Whipador, which is a “designer” dog that’s off-the-charts adorable! Whipadors are also athletic, sleek, and energetic. To find out more about this interesting mixed breed and decide whether a Whipador is the dog you’ve been dreaming about, read on!
| Height: | 18–25 inches |
| Weight: | 25–80 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | Black, blue, blue brindle, blue fawn, cream, fawn, fawn brindle, red, red brindle, white, black lab and whippet mix, yellow lab and whippet mix, chocolate lab and whippet mix |
| Suitable for: | Almost all families but very small children could cause anxiety issues. Adaptable to apartments but needs space to run. Great for singles and seniors. |
| Temperament: | Obedient, calm, friendly, affectionate, intelligent, athletic |
As with all hybrid or designer dogs, you never know exactly what you’ll get when you adopt a Whipador puppy. It may be shy and introverted like the Whippet or everybody’s best friend like the Labrador. Some Whipadors will be an equal mix of both parent breeds while others will look and act very much like one or the other. One thing you can expect, no matter their parental influence, is a dog that gets along well with everyone and needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation.
Whipador Characteristics
Whipador Puppies
Since they aren’t very common (at least not yet), finding a breeder who breeds Whipadors might be difficult. One good bit of news is that, because they’re not as coveted as their pure-bred parents, Whipadors likely won’t cost a large amount of money. They aren’t as popular as other designer dogs, like the Labradoodle.
It’s worth noting that finding a Whipador at a shelter, while it won’t be easy, might be possible. If you live near an animal shelter or canine rescue, you can befriend the people in charge and let them know you’re looking for this specific mix.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Whipador 🧠
Both the Whippet and the Labrador are highly intelligent breeds, and the Whipador is likely to be intelligent, also. Labradors are known as some of the sweetest, gentlest dogs around, which is why they make great therapy dogs. While Whippets aren’t known for their therapeutic value, they also have a reputation for being big-time cuddlers.
Both breeds are laid back and calm, which will likely lead to your Whipador being very similar. However, if your puppy takes after the Whippet patient, you might see a shy streak, especially around boisterous people or in new situations.
If your Whipador takes after the Labrador parent, you can expect them to be outgoing, charming, and affable with almost everyone, including other dogs and cats. Whippets have similar traits, but they’re a bit more reserved.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
It’s never a certainty that any dog will be a great family dog, but if you look at the traits and history of the Lab and Whippet, there’s a very good chance your Whipador will be a wonderful family pet. Both parent breeds are very affectionate with their families and get along with small children.
As we’ve seen, both also get along well with other dogs, and the Lab and Whippet are playful as pups and adults. The chance that your Whipador will be similar and have these traits is relatively high.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
In all likelihood, your Whipador will get along well with other dogs and most cats. However, you need to remember that the Whippet is a sighthound that’s been trained for hundreds of years to hunt, and they have a high prey drive. Labradors also have a higher prey drive thanks to many years of being “gun dogs” and having the innate ability to retrieve prey for their owners.
When it comes to smaller pets like chipmunks, hamsters, rabbits, mice, and others, your Whipador will likely see them as food, not friends. In short, while they get along well with other dogs and will likely be friends with a cat, mixing a Whipador with small animals is probably not a good idea.
Things to Know When Owning a Whipador
If you think a Whipador is the right pet for your home, keep reading for a detailed discussion about how to take care of them.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Your Whipador will have the same diet and nutrition requirements as most dogs, which should be balanced and designed for their respective age. Puppies need different amounts of nutrients than adult dogs, as do senior dogs.
Any dog food you purchase for your Whipador should have a combination of several nutrients, including high-quality protein from a single source, such as beef, chicken, fish, or turkey. The food you feed your pet should also have plenty of healthy fats, the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, and a good bit of fiber to help their digestion. Choosing a dog food free of fillers, soy, artificial ingredients, and colors is also essential.
Exercise 🐕
Your Whipador will need 1 to 3 hours of daily activity and exercise to stay happy and healthy. That should include long walks or running around in a fenced-in backyard. Running at full speed is crucial, especially if your Whipador takes after their Whippet parent.
Without a yard to run in, taking your Whipador to the local dog park is necessary so they can run off their excess energy. If they get enough exercise, your Whipador will be more than content to spend the rest of the day lying on the sofa with you.
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Training 🎾
As we’ve seen, the Labrador and Whippet are intelligent dogs, so there’s a good chance your Whipador will be bright, too. However, while Labradors are known for being people-pleasers and learning things quickly, the Whippet is known to be stubborn and think that they know best, which can often be a problem when training.
Whatever traits your Whipador inherits, they’re likely to be a sensitive dog that doesn’t do well with negative reinforcement techniques. Both of their parents are sensitive dogs that don’t react well to negativity and will shut down if you yell at them, shove their noses in their “accidents,” or implement other harmful training methods. When training your Whipador, the best methods are positive reinforcement techniques that use firm but kind instructions.
Grooming ✂️
The Whippet’s coat is short and smooth, while Labs have short double coats. What your Whipador inherits remains to be seen, but in all likelihood, they won’t need much grooming to stay in good condition. However, if yours is more like a Lab with thicker fur, you’ll likely need to brush your Whipador every other day.
As with all dogs, clipping your Whip’s nails is a necessity so that they don’t get ingrown nails. Checking and cleaning their ears regularly is a must, as well as at least a once-a-week brushing of their teeth.
Health and Conditions ❤️
The good news regarding your Whipador’s health is that both the Whippet and Labrador have few genetic issues. Still, some conditions can affect a Whipador, including congenital deafness, autoimmune thyroiditis, mitral valve degeneration (MVD), which affects the mitral valve of a dog’s heart, and hypothyroidism. Whippets are also prone to skin cancer due to their short, single coats.
- Color dilution alopecia
- Sunburn
- Nasal health issues
- Congenital deafness
- Hemangiosarcoma (skin cancer)
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
Male vs Female
There are very few differences between a female and male Whipador except for the obvious sexual dissimilarities. Males can be slightly more aggressive and have a higher prey drive, while females are more reserved and calmer.
No matter the sex, veterinarians recommend having your Whipador spayed or neutered. Studies show that it significantly lowers aggression in male dogs and extends the life of both sexes by upwards of 20%.
3 Little-Known Facts About The Whipador
1. Some Whipadors Suffer From a Condition Called “Bully” Whippet.
This is when a mutation in their myostatin gene makes them appear more muscular than normal.
2. There’s No Known Record of Where and When the First Whipador Was Bred.
It was likely the result of an accidental breeding between the two dog breeds.
3. Some Whipadors Can Have Long, Lean Snouts, While Others Have Wide, Shorter Snouts.
It depends on which parent they take after the most.
Final Thoughts
While not the most popular hybrid dog, the Whipador gets the benefit of genes from two wonderful breeds and will usually be an outgoing, affectionate, and intelligent dog. Aside from the physical features, however, it’s difficult to determine the specific traits you’ll get when you mix the two breeds.
Luckily, the Labrador and the Whippet have a lot of redeeming qualities, including affection, intelligence, low grooming needs, and an all-around wonderful demeanor. The chance that your Whipador will also have these traits is thus quite high. We hope our article has empowered you to decide whether one of these fascinating hybrid dogs will be your next furry friend.
Featured Image Credit to: Foonia, Shutterstock
