Whippet Puppies: Everything You Need To Know

Whippet puppies come in all sorts of colours and patterns, and when you first get your puppy he or she will most likely weigh from 7 to 10 pounds.

Whippet puppies are lively, energetic, and active, with a friendly disposition and affectionate nature.

When choosing the best whippet puppy for you, interact with the litter and note the different temperaments and how each puppy acts toward you.

This may help you determine which puppy suits you the most. With adopting a puppy comes responsibility, and you will need to provide essentials for your puppy, proper socialisation, training, and care.

As well as that, whippet puppies are full of energy, so getting one will mean that you will have to give him plenty of space to run, play, and explore.

You will also need to provide daily physical activity to be able to unleash all of that energy.

Getting a new Whippet puppy is a very exciting prospect. You bring your puppy home, learn his own unique personality, and begin to raise him. However, you need to remember that a Whippet puppy is a great responsibility.

Whippet puppies will have varying temperaments, but each puppy will have similar basic needs, including a daily exercise requirement, freshwater, clean bedding, and receiving food a few times a day.

Even if you have all the essentials prepared for when you bring home your puppy, there’s still the challenge of choosing where to get your puppy, picking the right Whippet puppy for you, and the training which follows.

If you are looking to learn everything you need to know about whippet puppies, you are in the right place.

This article will cover not just all the basics of adoption, but in general everything, there is to know about Whippet puppies.

Whippet Puppies At A Glance

Upon first glance, Whippet Puppies are adorable bundles of energy. They come in a range of different colours and patterns, and they will likely demand a lot of care and attention.

Like all puppies, Whippet puppies are incredibly playful, active, and friendly in temperament.

It is not hard to recognise Whippet puppies, as these dogs have a short smooth coat of equal texture throughout their whole body, a thin tail that narrows down to a point, and a lean head.

The ears of a Whippet puppy may vary in shape or the position in which they sit. Their ears may be triangular in shape and flopped forward, and will develop only later into an adult Whippet’s ‘rose’ ears.

These triangular ears may sit on top of their head, or more at the sides.

On the other hand, some puppies will already have the rose ears of the Whippet at a young age.

Whippet puppies are not as slender in build as adult Whippets, but they are still slim compared to puppies of other breeds, which may be chubby at a young age.

A Whippet puppy is smaller than a Greyhound puppy but bigger than an Italian Greyhound puppy.

Whippet Puppy Facts

Fact 1 – Feeding A Whippet Puppy

Most puppies have a great appetite, but it is best to split their meals into small portions spread throughout the day.

This will prevent them from overeating and becoming bloated, and it will give them the energy to tackle the day ahead.

You can ask the breeder beforehand how often to feed your Whippet puppy, or follow the feeding instructions at the back of the puppy food.

Usually, it is best to feed your Whippet puppy 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food 4 to 5 times a day, depending on how big he is. Feed him at set times to maintain a schedule.

When he gets to the age of 4 months, bring your puppy’s food meal counts down to 3 times a day. At 6 months old, you can feed him 2 times a day, morning and night.

Fact 2 – Living With A Whippet Puppy

Living with a Whippet puppy is exciting and fun, but it will also sometimes require a lot of your patience and time.

Whippets are highly energetic and active dogs as of nature, Some Whippet Puppies can even be very hyper and restless. To prevent this, your Whippet puppy will require a lot of physical activity every day.

This may be a walk two to three times a day, as well as going for a short run ever so often.

When living with a Whippet puppy you will also find that they will have a lively and playful character, and will like to play a lot.

Whippet puppies need lots of toys to chew on, otherwise, they may bring their attention to you or start being destructive.

If he is not playing, you will probably find your Whippet puppy fast asleep, as they usually will sleep 18 to 20 hours every day.

Whippet puppies are very friendly and affectionate, and from an early age, they will form a stronger attachment to their owner.

Aggression is not commonly a problem with puppies, but they will need to meet people and animals of all sizes to become comfortable with them.

Also, Whippet puppies are bright and intelligent, therefore they learn very quickly, and grasp which behaviours are encouraged and which are forbidden. However, some Whippet may at times be stubborn.

It will require consistency and lots of time and patience when training your Whippet puppy, but it is all worth it in the end.

Most Whippet Puppies are generally healthy, and this breed has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

Fact 3 – Whippet Puppies Come In A Range Of Different Colours And Markings

Whippets are dogs that come in a whole variety of different colours and markings.

Some of the most popular Whippet colours include cream, tan, brown, fawn, black, or orange. These may be of various shades and may be light or dark.

Whippet puppies can come in one solid colour, or in combined colours. A Whippet puppy may have a base colour accompanied with white markings and/or a black mask.

Whippet puppies may also be brindle, which is a striped pattern running across the entire body of the Whippet. These stripes will be darker in colour than the body of the Whippet.

However, a reverse brindle Whippet will be the opposite – a lighter brindle stripe pattern occupying a darker coloured body.

Adopting A Whippet Puppy

If you have decided that you want to adopt a Whippet puppy, it is important to consider if you want to adopt from a shelter or adoption facility, or whether you want to buy one from a breeder. Both options are great and have their own benefits.

Adopting from a shelter or adoption facility can be rewarding, as it allows you to change a dog’s life for the better.

You can give a Whippet puppy a warm and loving home which he may have had to otherwise wait for a lengthy time.

Adopting a Whippet puppy is also much less costly, and sometimes you will only have to pay a small fee to the shelter, rescue facility, or adoption centre from which you choose to obtain your new puppy.

When adopting your new Whippet puppy, you will contact the shelter or adoption facility via phone number or email provided on their website. You may fill out an adoption form, and from there it will be reviewed to determine whether you are fit to adopt.

The shelter or rescue facility will contact you back and ask you to come in relation to your adoption. You may be able to adopt your puppy right away or go through a series of steps before you are able to adopt.

If you are buying from a breeder, whom you may have found online or through another means, it is a good idea to pay them an initial visit before you decide to adopt any puppy.

You may want to note how the puppies and their mother are cared for if they have lots of space, comfortable, clean bedding, whether they are in a safe environment, and if they look healthy and properly fed.

If you have discussed everything with the breeder and you decide on buying a whippet puppy, it is now time to take your new Whippet puppy home.

During his first few nights, your puppy might cry after the litter and its mother, so it is important to keep him comfortable and secure. Ensure that your puppy has a warm place to sleep and that he isn’t sleeping on the cold, hard floor.

You may ask the breeder to give you a blanket scented with the litter to comfort your Whippet puppy, a favourite toy, and the puppy food he is currently eating.

You will need to provide plenty of space for your Whippet puppy where he can play and explore. He will also need toys, a bedding, his own collar, leash, and perhaps a name tag if you live in an area where he could be easily lost.

A Whippet puppy is very energetic and will require a lot of playtime and exercise. You may take him for walks in public places for socialisation, as well as on rural walks where he can unleash his senses, learn new things, run around, and explore his environment.

How To Spot The Best Whippet Puppy For You

When choosing the best Whippet puppy for you, it is important to first interact with the puppies to see how they react to you, and to learn their own individual personalities. Note which puppies are the friendliest, most sociable, curious, and outgoing.

Some puppies may be rather shy or fearful and still may need time to be socialised with people.

Unless they are asleep, a puppy that lies down or rests for a very long time without any interest in the things going on around may sometimes indicate that he is ill.

Interacting with the litter may help you find the puppy which likes you the most and whose temperament seems the most favourable.

A puppy that is energetic, likes playing with you and shows no sign of fear or withdrawal may be your ideal choice.

However, you may prefer a puppy that is more of a quiet or reserved nature. It’s all up to you and which puppy you think is the best for you and your personality.

How To Tell If You’re Suited To A Whippet Puppy

The best way to know if you’re suited to a Whippet puppy is to learn of his or her unique personality and energy levels. This is a very important aspect of getting a puppy so that both of you can get along with each other.

If you are an easy-going and friendly person, you may be looking for an easy-going and friendly puppy. If you are quiet, you may look for a quieter puppy from the litter.

As well as that, you will need to ensure that the puppy you are getting suits your activity and energy levels.

In general, all Whippets and Whippet puppies are highly energetic and need plenty of physical activity every day.

However, some individuals may be lazier, while others may be more hyperactive and could demand more exercise than others.

You need to be able to care for the individual needs of your puppy, as every dog is different and will therefore need different things.

Training Your Whippet Puppy

Early Socialisation

Socialisation is one of the most critical aspects of puppyhood. You will need to socialise your Whippet puppy as early as possible so that he can meet various people, children, dogs, cats, and other animals to become comfortable with them.

Otherwise, he may only become fearful and unsure toward others as he grows up into an adult.

He could shy away or even hide from people, show aggression or hostility, or chase animals such as cats if he doesn’t learn to respect them from early puppyhood.

You may invite visitors to your house, including children, to interact with your Whippet puppy. You may also take him out often on walks in public, where he can see the world, encounter lots of different people, and get accustomed to noises and sights.

Build A Play Pen For Your Puppy

If you are busy at times throughout the day, you may build a safe but spacious playpen for your new puppy which will contain plenty of toys, bedding, newspapers laid out on the floor, and freshwater

This way, when there is no one to supervise your puppy, he will have a comfortable and secure space to play in and spend time. Otherwise, he may get lost or hurt somewhere in the house, especially if your house is large and has many rooms.

Your playpen may not just be a pen for playing, but also a space where your puppy can rest and relax after a long walk or training session.

Provide Chew Toys

Chew toys will ensure your Whippet puppy bites them, and not you and your shoes or furniture. It is important to redirect your puppy’s attention immediately to a chew toy whenever he attempts to chew on something else.

The reason why puppies chew so much is that they are growing new teeth, and during this process, their gums may itch, so they will bite or chew to relieve some of that itch.

They also do it because they easily get bored and like to unleash their energy.

If your puppy still chews on you or other things despite there being plenty of toys lying around, you can introduce negative reinforcement in relation to his negative behaviour.

Each time he bites, tug at his collar once to startle him, and say the command, ‘No biting’. If he obeys and stops what he is doing, reward him for his good behaviour.

Sometimes when teaching your puppy certain concepts you will require consistency and a lot of time before he finally learns what is acceptable and what isn’t.

Teach Him Basic Commands And To ‘Heel’

Teaching your new Whippet puppy basic commands like ‘sit, ‘lie down, and ‘heel’, can make it easier to control your dog. You will also be able to command your dog to ‘sit’ whenever he begins to do something you don’t approve of.

Heeling is also important so that your puppy doesn’t constantly pull on the leash when you are out on a walk with him.

You may introduce the command to ‘heel’, by keeping your puppy on a leash and walking with him beside you around the yard. When he keeps up with your pace and walks beside you, praise and reward him for this.

However, most puppies will not be so obedient or cooperative. Instead, they will most likely pull forward and tug on the leash, dragging you to wherever they want to go.

If they do this, gently tug on the leash to bring them back. You will need an appropriate collar suited for a Whippet to be able to do this.

A typical collar may otherwise choke or be forced tightly against your puppy’s neck, especially if he strains forward.

Potty Train Your Whippet Puppy

Potty training can be a difficult task at times, especially for the fact that puppies have very small bladders and accidents can happen, especially during the first few days or even weeks of bringing your Whippet puppy home.

You may want to lay out some newspapers in your puppy’s play area so that if he relieves himself, it will go on the newspaper instead of on the floor.

However, start potty training your puppy as soon as you bring him home. Take him outside many times a day, including after each meal, after playtime, and after he wakes up from a nap. This way you will reduce the chance of accidents ever happening.

Be it on a walk or in your yard, always ensure you praise and reward your Whippet puppy for going to the bathroom outside instead of in the house.

When outside, every time you see any sign that your puppy is about to relieve himself, you may introduce a command like ‘Go potty,’ or something similar.

This way, he will learn where you want him to go, and he will be more likely to let you know about his needs next time so you can take him outside rather than doing it in the house.

If your puppy does accidentally pee or poop on the floor in your house, do not scold him, but you may firmly say ‘No’, and take him outside afterwards.

Invest In Puppy Training Classes

If you are particularly struggling with training your puppy or can’t seem to manage on your own, you may want to invest in puppy training classes.

This will be a great way for your puppy to learn basic skills and commands without you having to do a thing, and all this in a fun and interactive way.

Pros And Cons Of Whippet Puppies

Pros

Provide lots of joy
New excitement in your life
Someone to play or spend time with
Will be your companion and friend
Will go on walks and jogs with you
May motivate you to exercise and be more active
Unconditional love
Won’t bark a lot, as Whippets are generally quiet
Dogs and puppies are therapeutic and help combat stress
Looking after and raising a dog can be rewarding
Little shedding

Cons

Big responsibility
Whippet puppies are highly energetic and need a lot of exercise
Dog food, supplies, and vet bills can add up in cost
Patience and dedication needs to be put into training
Less time for yourself
Puppies require a lot of attention
Could chew on items in your house
Could relieve themselves on your carpet or rug which may be hard to clean
Not hypoallergenic

Final Thoughts

Whippet puppies are very friendly, affectionate, and lovable, but before you get your new Whippet puppy you must be prepared for it in a proper way.

It is important to choose a reputable breeder or adoption facility, pick a puppy that suits you, and become familiar with the needs of this breed.

Whippet puppies, just as all other puppies, will require adequate care, and every puppy is different and may have different needs.

Once you get your puppy, socialisation and early training is important to ensure he learns how to behave.

However, Whippets are intelligent dogs, so if you are patient and consistent, it will not take long for your puppy to grasp certain concepts and learn to distinguish good and bad behaviour.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this post and now know much more about lovely whippet puppies. I can’t recommend this breed enough and know that you’ll be so glad you adopted a whippet puppy.