Breed guide

Whippet

Couch potato meets sprinter. Quiet, affectionate, low-maintenance — the best-kept secret in medium dogs.

AKC Rank

#61

Size

medium (25-40 lbs)

Life Expectancy

12-15 yrs

Activity

moderate

Feeding a Whippet

Lean sighthound. ~700-1,000 kcal/day. Naturally thin — don't overfeed trying to 'fill them out.'

Key nutrients

•high-quality protein
•omega-3

Portion notes: Two meals daily. Don't force-feed to bulk up — they're meant to be lean.

Fresh food picks for Whippets

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for medium dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

•Human-grade fresh food
•Portioned per dog
•Vet-developed recipes
•50% off first box

See The Farmer's Dog →

fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

•Fresh and baked recipes
•Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
•Custom portions
•60% off first box

See Ollie →

fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

•Pre-portioned pouches
•Vet-formulated
•Microbiome testing available
•50% off first order

See Nom Nom →

fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

•Fresh or UnKibble options
•Human-grade ingredients
•Shelf-stable storage option
•50% off first order

See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Whippet actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$2,770-$5,460

Ongoing years run $2,050-$3,950 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$1,450-$2,400

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$320-$460

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$600-$1,250

Grooming

low grooming needs

$0-$120

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$150-$500

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$180

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$644-$1,127/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for medium dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Health concerns to watch

mitral valve disease

eye problems

deafness

von Willebrand's disease

anesthetic sensitivity

Anesthetic sensitivity — inform vet before any procedure.

Thin skin tears easily; watch during rough play.

Surprisingly calm indoors despite sprint capability.

Gear for Whippets

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Whippets

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Harness

for Whippets

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Bed

for Whippets

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Collar

for Whippets

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Leash

for Whippets

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Slow feeder bowl

for Whippets

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Chew toy

for Whippets

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As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Whippets

Matched to Whippet temperament (affectionate, playful, calm).

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

•Lifetime membership
•Self-paced video lessons
•Puppy + adult content
•Behavior troubleshooting

See BAXTER & Bella →

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

•1-on-1 live video sessions
•Certified trainers
•Custom per-dog plan
•Weekly structure

See GoodPup →

training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

•App-based daily plans
•AI-guided feedback
•Affordable monthly cost
•Trick training library

See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Whippets

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

•Real-time GPS
•Activity + sleep tracking
•Escape alerts
•3-month battery

See Fi →

gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

•Attaches to any collar
•Worldwide GPS coverage
•Activity monitoring
•Budget-friendly

See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

•350+ breeds identified
•250+ health conditions screened
•Cornell-partnered science
•Relatives finder

See Embark →

dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

•350+ breeds
•Genetic health insights
•Budget-friendly option
•Fast results

See Wisdom Panel →

Whippet questions, answered

How long do Whippets live?▾

Whippets typically live 12-15 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.

How big do Whippets get?▾

Adult Whippets typically weigh 25-40 lbs and stand 18-22 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a medium breed.

How much exercise does a Whippet need?▾

Whippets are a moderate-activity breed. Plan on 45-90 minutes of walks and play per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.

What health problems do Whippets commonly have?▾

Whippets are most prone to: mitral valve disease, eye problems, deafness, von Willebrand's disease, anesthetic sensitivity. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.

Are Whippets hard to groom?▾

Whippets need minimal grooming — weekly brushing and occasional baths are enough. Their short coat is low-maintenance day-to-day.

What should I feed a Whippet?▾

Lean sighthound. ~700-1,000 kcal/day. Naturally thin — don't overfeed trying to 'fill them out.' Key nutrients to look for: high-quality protein, omega-3.

Are Whippets good for first-time owners?▾

Whippets are generally suitable for first-time owners with basic commitment. They're affectionate, playful, calm. Plan for consistent training from day one.

Ask Barkly about your Whippet

Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.