How Long Do Whippets Live?
Whippets live 12-15 years on average. Here is the AKC breed profile, the health areas to stay ahead of, and how to give a Whippet more good years.
Breed profile
Breed profile and trait ratings: American Kennel Club. Trait scores are AKC ratings from 1 to 5.
At 25-40 pounds, the Whippet is a medium breed. Medium breeds fall in the middle of the canine lifespan range, which its 12-15 years average reflects.
Does a Whippet fit your life?
Quiet, gentle, and low-maintenance in the coat department, this sighthound is a natural with kids and other dogs. It still needs a real chance to sprint most days, even if it spends the rest of its time curled up on the couch.
A great match if you
- You'll love how quiet this breed is, a rare trait that makes it easy in apartments or with close neighbors.
- You're a great match for a busy household with children and other dogs.
- You'll spend almost no time on coat care.
- You'll have a devoted couch companion once the zoomies wear off.
Think twice if
- You'll need patience in training, this breed can be independent and easily distracted by movement.
- You should still plan for real daily exercise, ideally with room to sprint, even if this dog naps hard afterward.
- You may find this dog is polite but a little reserved with strangers rather than instantly gregarious.
Health areas for the Whippet
Based on the breed profile, the health areas most worth staying ahead of for a Whippet are Bone Health, Eye and vision and Skin, coat, allergy (owners often watch for bone, eye, skin).
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Whippet facts, quick answers
How long do Whippets live?
Whippets live 12-15 years on average, and plenty go beyond that. The two biggest levers on where a given dog lands are keeping it at a lean, healthy weight and staying ahead of the health issues the breed is prone to.
How big do Whippets get?
A full-grown Whippet stands 19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female) and weighs 25-40 pounds, which puts it firmly in the medium-breed range.
What kind of dog is a Whippet?
The Whippet is a hound breed, and one of the country's more popular breeds, ranked 50 of 208. It is a medium dog that typically lives around 12-15 years.
Are Whippets high-energy dogs?
Whippets are an energetic breed that stays happiest with a solid daily walk plus some play or training.
Are Whippets easy to train?
Whippets are trainable with patience and consistency; short, rewarding sessions work best.
Do Whippets shed a lot?
Not really. They shed very little, though low-shedding coats often trade that for more regular grooming or clipping.
Do Whippets bark a lot?
They are on the quiet side and are not prone to nuisance barking.
Are Whippets good with kids?
Whippets are great with children, gentle and patient, which is a big reason families love the breed; supervise young kids around any dog.
Do Whippets get along with other dogs?
Whippets are generally sociable with other dogs and usually enjoy the company.
Are Whippets good for first-time owners?
Whippets are rewarding but not the easiest first dog; they do best with an owner ready to commit to their exercise, training and grooming.
