Whippet: size, sleep, exercise and care

At a glance

Size

Medium

Adult weight

11–18 kg

Height at the shoulder

44–51 cm

Life expectancy

12–15 years

Exercise needs

Moderate · 30–60 min per day

Sleep needs

Typical total sleep per 24 hours, including naps.

Puppy18–20 h

Adult12–14 h

Senior12–15 h

06121824 h

These are general life-stage ranges for dogs from the AKC and Hill's Pet Nutrition; no kennel club publishes sleep figures for the Whippet specifically. SKK describes the Whippet as a dog that loves soft sofas and comfortable beds. A padded bed matters for a lean dog with little natural cushioning.

Puppy sleep calculator →

Exercise needs

The Royal Kennel Club guideline is up to an hour a day. What matters most is a chance to sprint: a safely fenced field, lure coursing or racing. SKK notes that the Whippet hunts by sight and that its interest in chasing makes off-lead freedom difficult, so find secure areas for free running. The short coat gives little protection, so a dog coat is useful in cold, wet weather.

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Potty training

Whippet puppies are generally clean, but a thin-coated puppy can be reluctant to linger outside in rain and cold. Keep trips short and frequent (on waking, after meals, after play and before bed) and reward quickly so the puppy does not lose interest and head back to the door.

A puppy coat on wet winter days can make the difference between a puppy that goes outside and one that waits until it is back on the rug.

Puppy potty schedule calculator →

Feeding

Whippets are built lean, so judge condition by feel and by your vet's advice rather than comparing with heavier breeds; extra weight is no kindness to a sprinter. Puppies typically get three or four meals a day and adults two.

Avoid flat-out sprinting straight after a meal, and offer water after running.

Puppy feeding schedule calculator →