13 Surprising Whippet Facts That Will Amaze You
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Whippets are a gentle and non-aggressive dog breed that thrives on human companionship. They’re one of the best athletes in the dog world, setting sport-related records for their athleticism left and right.
However, there’s more to this breed than its affectionate temperament and powerful body. Read on to find 13 surprising facts about this exceptionally fascinating breed.
The 13 Whippet Facts
Whippets are a direct descendant of Greyhounds, so they’re not only related but similar in appearance. Whippets are like mini versions of their Greyhound relatives. While an adult will grow to be around 19 to 22 inches and 25 to 40 pounds, their larger cousins can be up to 30 inches tall and weigh upwards of 100 pounds.
2. Whippet racing was a popular sport in England.
During the 1800s, dog racing was a huge sport throughout Europe, but the main racing breed at the time was Greyhounds. Unfortunately, Greyhound racing was something only the wealthy could participate in. However, even the poor working class wanted to participate in the sport, so they created their own racetracks and used Whippets over Greyhounds as they were much cheaper to breed. This led Whippets to become known as “the poor man’s Greyhound”, a nickname that has stuck with the breed for centuries.
Whippet racing was taken very seriously as a day with the dogs became a social occasion complete with large cash prices and many spectators. A good racing Whippet could win more in a single afternoon than its owner’s weekly wage.
3. Whippets are sighthounds.
Whippets are considered sighthounds, dogs that hunt primarily using sight and speed instead of scent and endurance like their scent-hound counterparts. They have fantastic vision and unparalleled agility thanks to their flexible back and long legs, allowing for a long stride. Whippets were sometimes called “snap dogs” for their skill at snapping up unknowing prey.
4. There were two types of Whippets.
At the time of the breed’s inception, there were two kinds of Whippets distinguished by a rough or a smooth coat. Smooth-coated Whippets were the favorite during the breed’s early years and were more popular throughout Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is this Whippet that has become the modern one we know and love today. The rough-haired individuals (often called “rabbit dogs”) were often favored for sporting and working.
5. Whippets can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour.
Whippets are among the 15 fastest dog breeds in the world. They can long for long distances and reach speeds up to 35 mph (56 km/h) when locked in on their prey. Breeds faster than the Whippet include Dalmatians (37 mph), Vizsla (40 mph), Salukis (42 mph), Afghan Hounds (40 mph), and their relatives, the Greyhound (45 mph).
While Whippets aren’t the fastest dog breed, the single fastest dog in America is a Whippet. Reas proved his speed at the Fastest Dog USA competition in 2021, completing a 100-yard dash in just 5.769 seconds.
6. Whippets have a “double suspension” gait.
The double suspension gait is seen only in sighthound breeds like Whippets and Greyhounds. This is a four-time, asymmetrical gait where the dog’s rear legs can overtake its front. This means the dog can be airborne twice in each gait cycle. It is this unique gait that makes these breeds so fast.
7. Whippets may shiver more than other dog breeds.
It’s not unusual to see a Whippet shivering and shaking often. As with most dog breeds, they will tremble if they’re anxious or afraid, but this isn’t the only reason a Whippet will shiver.
Healthy Whippets have naturally low body fat levels. Pair this low body fat with their thin skin and single coat, and you’ll be left with a pup that’s extremely sensitive to the cold. Whippet owners should always have a selection of warm clothing on hand for their sensitive dogs.
8. Whippets may be sensitive to anesthesia.
Due to their peculiar metabolism and genetic makeup, Whippets, as with other sighthounds, can be sensitive to anesthesia. They often recover slowly from barbiturate anesthesia because the recovery relies partially on the drug moving into the dog’s body fat to be metabolized slowly. Since Whippets have little body fat, there isn’t an area for the medicine to move, resulting in the drug staying in their bloodstream longer, causing a slower and longer recovery.
9. Whippets are supposed to look thin.
It’s not unusual for folks unfamiliar with the Whippet breed to be taken aback by its thin and somewhat gangly appearance. According to the American Kennel Club, Whippets sitting at a healthy weight should have anywhere between two to four vertebrae visible.
10. Whippets can make great apartment dogs.
Whippets are a notoriously quiet breed with a shy and reserved temperament. They may only bark when the doorbell rings, but most owners say they won’t even bark then. This makes Whippets a good watchdog but not the best guard dog. It also makes them great for apartment life since they won’t bother your neighbors with their barking.
However, apartment-dwelling Whippet owners must take their pups out to burn off some energy at least twice a day.
11. The Whippet heart is large and beats slowly.
Whippets have larger hearts than many other dog breeds. It beats slowly and can often be arrhythmic or intermittent, especially when the dog is resting. Interestingly, however, the heart will beat regularly when the dog is active.
According to a health survey from The Kennel Club, heart conditions are the second-leading cause of death in Whippets after old age.
12. Whippets are very sensitive.
Whippets are a peaceful breed that can be sensitive to stress. They thrive in peaceful, harmonious homes. They don’t react well to raised voices or chaotic environments. It’s best to wait until your children are older to bring a Whippet into your home.
13. A Whippet was the founding dog of disc dog.
Disc dog is a frisbee sport where dogs and their humans compete in events like distance and freestyle catching. It began in the early 1970s when a 19-year-old college student and his Whippet named Ashley Whippet hopped over the fence at a baseball game and blew the crowd away with their disc-catching skills. The stunt was so novel that the baseball game stopped, and the announcer started announcing the flying disc action on the field. The owner was eventually escorted off the field and arrested, but the nationally televised spectacle fueled much interest in the disc dog sport.
Final Thoughts
The Whippet has a long and interesting history, with its humble beginnings as a sight hunter, to its role in dog racing and disc dog. These elegant, affectionate, and super-fast dogs are good for more than just sport. Their gentle demeanor and strong devotion to their owners make them fantastic companions.
Related Reads:
- How Big Does a Whippet Get? Average Weight & Growth Chart
- Are Whippets Smarter Than Most Dogs? Breed Intelligence Explored
Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock
