Where the Whippet came from
The Whippet came from northern England in the 1800s. Mining and mill towns wanted a small, cheap dog that could race and catch rabbits. Breeders mixed small greyhounds with terriers and other quick dogs to get speed and a bit of toughness.
Whippet racing, called the poor man's racehorse by coal miners in Lancashire and Yorkshire, was a weekend sport for working families. Early events included a rough form of coursing called ragging.
Whippets were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888. Today they are mostly family pets and sport dogs who like to curl up in a blanket between sprints.
- 1800s Northern English working families breed small racing dogs
- 1888 The AKC recognizes the Whippet
- 1891 The Kennel Club in England recognizes the Whippet
The job a Whippet was bred for
The job was a quick run after a rabbit or down a racing strip. The dog had to be fast, light and eager to chase. At home that means a dog who sprints in short bursts, likes to be close to people, and often notices anything small that runs.
Sports that fit a Whippet
- Lure coursing. Short, fast and exactly what they love.
- Fast CAT. Gives them a safe place to sprint.
- Agility. They are quick and light, and often good at it.
- Flyball. A natural fit for a dog who loves racing.
- Scent work. A calm, quiet way to use their brain.
Training tips for a Whippet
- Reward calm behavior on a mat so they learn to settle after a hard run.
- Always use a fenced area for running. Small furry animals will beat your recall.
- Be gentle with corrections. They are sensitive and may shut down.
- Use short, upbeat sessions with food or a tug toy.
Body and health
Whippets are thin-skinned and easily scratched, and they chill quickly. Run them on safe footing, and avoid long hard road runs.
Fun fact. A Whippet can reach about 35 miles per hour. Coal miners in northern England called them the poor man's racehorse.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Whippet is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.