National Whippet Day
Racing at speed up to 35 miles per hour but also relishing time as a couch potato, whippets are a fascinating breed of dogs that deserves to be celebrated.
National Whippet Day is here to do just that!
How to Celebrate National Whippet Day
Spoil Your Whippet
Those folks who already have a whippet – or two! – in their lives can take some time on this day to give them some special attention.
Through treats, activities, or quality time together, this particular day is one to show appreciation for the joy that these companions can bring to your life.
Consider Adopting a Whippet
While whippets are a breed that do have some specific needs, these dogs are generally low maintenance. They love sleeping, running and plenty of opportunities to be off-leash.
Get the Book: Life With a Whippet
Not sure about whether a whippet would be a good addition to the household or family? Check out the book by the founder of the day to find out more about this fascinating breed and consider them for your family.
Enjoy Some Whippet Art
Lithe and gracious, whippets make a beautiful muse for artwork such as painting, line drawing and so much more.
Get excited about National Whippet Day by purchasing or even making your own versions of whippet art to hang on the walls.
Help with Whippet Rescue
Those who are interested in making the world a better place for whippets who have not been treated very kindly, this day might be a good opportunity to make a donation to a foundation that helps with whippet rescue.
JR Whippet Rescue in the UK and Whippet Rescue and Placement (WRAP) are some of the most familiar organizations.
Learn More About Whippets
Just for fun, on National Whippet Day, head on over to the local library or do some online research to find out more details regarding this dog breed. Here are a few fun facts to get started with:
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From grey to fawn, black and white, these dogs come in a wide range of colors and rarely are two alike!
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The whippet’s special running style is referred to as a Double Suspension Gallop
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Whippets have thin skin and can easily get cold, so they need special gear to stay happy and healthy
History of National Whippet Day
The inaugural celebration of National Whippet Day took place in 2023 when the event was founded by Debbie Humphreys, a lover of this unique breed of dogs.
Humphreys is the author of the book Life With a Whippet: Understanding Their Quirks & Needs for Harmonious Companionship.
In addition, she is a designer of whippet clothing for her company, Redhound, as well as a community organizer for these dogs and their humans.
National Whippet Day’s purpose was to build an opportunity for a growing community not only with the owners of these dogs, but also with breeders, dog trainers, rescue centers, veterinarians and even artists who are invested in the well-being of whippets.
This day’s first celebration drew a large online following and its fundraising efforts meant a great deal of financial support for whippet rescue efforts.
By the second year, a beach walk was organized where more than 50 whippets and their owners participated.
Facts About National Whippet Day
Industrial “Poor Man’s Racehorse” Origins
Whippets were developed in 19th century industrial England as the “poor man’s racehorse,” bred primarily by coal miners and textile workers who could not afford or house full‑sized greyhounds.
These compact sighthounds raced for prize money on makeshift tracks and straightaways between factory rows, turning dog racing into an inexpensive working‑class pastime.
From Illegal Poaching Dog to Respectable Show Breed
Before they became fixtures in the show ring, early whippets were often used for illicit poaching of rabbits and other small game on private estates.
Their speed, silence, and small size made them difficult for gamekeepers to detect, but as formal dog shows and regulated racing grew, the same traits were redirected into legal competition and breed standardization.
Double‑Suspension Gallop: How Whippets Reach High Speeds
Whippets run using a “double‑suspension gallop,” a stride pattern in which all four feet leave the ground twice in every full cycle, once when the body is fully extended and once when it is tightly gathered.
This gait, shared with greyhounds and racehorses, maximizes ground coverage and contributes to the breed’s ability to reach speeds over 30 miles per hour despite a relatively light build.
A Breed Standard Built Around Balance, Not Bulk
Modern kennel club standards for whippets emphasize an “elegant but muscular” outline, with a deep chest for lung capacity, strong loin, and a flexible, arched back that assists with speed and agility.
Excess bulk or exaggerated muscle is penalized in the show ring because it can interfere with the smooth, efficient movement that originally made the breed such a successful racer and courser.
Working‑Class Racing Gave Rise to Organized Whippet Clubs
Informal whippet racing in English mining and mill towns became so popular that by the late 19th century dedicated clubs and formal rules were established to regulate events and breeding.
The Whippet Club was founded in Britain in 1899, helping to move the dogs from ad‑hoc local contests into organized sport and laying the groundwork for later national specialties and pedigreed bloodlines.
A Late Arrival to American Dog Fancy Circles
Although whippets reached the United States with British immigrants in the late 1800s, they remained a niche breed for decades compared with more familiar hounds and terriers.
The American Whippet Club was not founded until 1930, and its first national specialty show did not occur until 1987, reflecting how slowly this former working‑class racer gained a foothold in American conformation and performance sport.
Intermediate in Size Among the Sighthounds
Within the family of sighthounds, whippets occupy a middle ground between the larger greyhound and the smaller Italian greyhound, both in stature and in the original tasks they performed.
This intermediate size gave them a practical advantage for owners who needed a dog fast enough to course rabbits on open ground yet compact and economical enough to keep in small workers’ cottages and city housing.
National Whippet Day FAQs
Are whippets good family dogs for households with children and other pets?
Whippets are generally gentle, affectionate dogs that can do very well in families, including those with respectful children and other dogs.
Reputable breed and veterinary sources note that whippets tend to be friendly yet sensitive, so they usually thrive in calmer homes where rough play is discouraged.
As sighthounds, they may have a strong chase instinct toward small, fast‑moving animals such as cats, rabbits, or rodents, so careful introductions, supervision, and secure outdoor spaces are important, and some individuals may never be fully reliable with small pets.
How much exercise does a whippet really need if it sleeps so much at home?
Whippets are sprinters rather than endurance athletes, which means they typically need short, intense bursts of activity rather than hours of nonstop exercise.
Breed guides describe them as “60‑mph couch potatoes”: most adults do well with one or two brisk walks daily plus opportunities a few times a week to run safely off leash in a secure area, along with mental enrichment such as training or games.
Without regular outlets for their speed and curiosity, they may become bored or anxious even if they appear relaxed at home.
Why are whippets so sensitive to cold, and what care do they need in cooler climates?
Whippets have a very short, fine coat, minimal body fat, and a lean build, all of which reduce their natural insulation and make them prone to feeling cold and to developing chills or hypothermia in low temperatures.
Veterinary and breed resources commonly recommend that whippets wear a well‑fitting coat or sweater in cool or wet weather, avoid prolonged time outdoors in the cold, and have soft, draft‑free indoor bedding, since lying on hard or chilly surfaces can also cause discomfort or skin issues.
What are the main differences between a whippet, a greyhound, and an Italian greyhound?
All three are sighthounds that share a similar outline, but they differ noticeably in size, traditional use, and day‑to‑day management needs.
The whippet is a medium‑sized hound that typically weighs around 25 to 40 pounds and was developed for racing and rabbit hunting by working‑class communities, while the greyhound is much larger and historically associated with formal coursing and track racing, and the Italian greyhound is a toy‑sized companion breed that weighs under about 14 pounds.
These differences affect everything from exercise and space requirements to how easily they can be carried, housed, and accommodated in small homes.
Are whippets suitable for apartment living or do they need a large yard?
Because whippets are quiet, clean, and usually calm indoors, many experts consider them well suited to apartment or urban living as long as their exercise needs are met.
A large yard is helpful but not essential; what matters more is a daily routine that includes regular walks and safe opportunities to run, along with secure fencing or use of enclosed dog parks to prevent them from chasing after moving objects or wildlife.
In smaller homes, providing soft resting spots, puzzle toys, and structured activity can help them settle between outings.
What health issues are most commonly seen in whippets?
Whippets are generally considered a healthy breed, but like most purebred dogs they have some predispositions that responsible breeders screen for.
Commonly discussed concerns include inherited eye conditions, certain heart issues, and sensitivity to some anesthetic drugs due to their low body fat, along with orthopedic injuries related to high‑speed running or rough play.
Prospective owners are usually advised to work with breeders who perform recommended health tests and to discuss anesthesia protocols and injury prevention with their veterinarian.
Why do whippets have such a strong chase instinct compared with many other dogs?
Whippets were developed as sighthounds to visually spot and pursue fast‑moving prey such as rabbits, which selected for dogs that quickly lock on to motion and chase at high speed.
Historical accounts describe them racing competitively and coursing small game, and that heritage still shapes their behavior today: even well‑trained whippets may ignore recalls once something runs, which is why many experts recommend keeping them on leash in unenclosed areas and using secure fields or lure‑coursing venues to satisfy this instinct safely.
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