Whippig

20-30 lbs
17-20"
Unknown
Whippet
Italian Greyhound

The Whippig is a recent hybrid breed developed from crossing an Italian Greyhound with a Whippet. Whippigs are energetic and playful, but they also love to snuggle when they’ve had a chance to burn some of their energy, which means they're happy living anywhere. Their parent breeds are both sighthounds, so Whippigs have inherited a prey drive — they aren’t the best fit for households with other small pets. Whippigs require minimal grooming due to their short coats and would be a great pet for with anyone with time to give them plenty of attention.

purpose Purpose
Companionship
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Whippet, Italian Greyhound

Whippig Health

Average Size
Male Whippig size stats
Height: 17-20 inches Weight: 20-30 lbs
Female Whippig size stats
Height: 17-20 inches Weight: 20-30 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Von Willebrand's Disease
  • Corneal Dystrophy
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Minor Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Anesthesia Sensitivity/Allergy
  • Bone Fractures
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Allergies
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Eye Examination
  • Full Body Physical Examination
  • DNA for VWD
  • Hip and Knee

Whippig Breed History

Not much is known about the history of the Whippig since it's a new breed. However, their parent breeds, the Italian Greyhound and the Whippet, have lengthy histories.

The Italian Greyhound is believed to have originated in Greece and Turkey, but they charmed their way into the hearts of Italian nobles, which is how they received their name. There are many paintings from as far back as the Middle Ages featuring dogs that look similar to the Italian Greyhound. But the breed as we know today it gained popularity in the 1600s as a prized pet, this time of English nobility.

Famous historical figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, and many more, were admirers of these handsome dogs. The Italian Greyhound wasn’t content to stay in Europe, however, and made their way to the United States, where they were admitted into the American Kennel Club in 1886.

The Whippet was developed during the 1800s by workers in England who bred Greyhounds with Terriers to create a smaller, but still very fast, sighthound. Competitions were held to see which dog could catch prey the fastest. Sometimes, Whippet handlers would simply race the dogs and bet on which would win.

When they weren’t racing their Whippets, the working class used them to hunt rabbits. It’s no wonder that these dogs have a strong prey drive to this day! The Whippet was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888. Despite their origins as a working dog, the Whippet’s friendly personality and playful energy have made them a popular choice for companionship in recent years.

Whippig Breed Appearance

The Whippig is a slender dog with long legs and a broad chest. They have strong, powerful hindquarters to help them reach the high running speeds their parent breeds are known for.

The skull is narrow and the eyes are set to the sides, giving the dog a wide range of vision. The ears fold forward at the tips but are usually held back against the skull.

Whippigs typically have short, smooth coats, but it's possible for them to have long coats as well, though this is rare. Their fur may come in any color imaginable with any variation of markings. Their eyes are typically dark brown, and their nose may be dark brown or black. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Whippig eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Whippig nose
Black
brown Whippig nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
brindle Whippig coat
Brindle
black Whippig coat
Black
gray Whippig coat
Gray
brown Whippig coat
Brown
red Whippig coat
Red
cream Whippig coat
Cream
white Whippig coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Whippig straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Whippig Breed Maintenance

Due to their short, smooth coats and low shedding, Whippigs have minimal grooming needs. Monthly brushing is sufficient to remove excess dead hair. They should be bathed only as needed, which won’t be very often since they don’t tend to smell.

Because their coats are so short, they're very sensitive to cold and will require sweaters in cooler climates. They're likely to hate rain and won’t want to go outside when it's wet out — not even for potty breaks! They'll need their nails clipped approximately once every month. Brush your Whippig's teeth daily to minimize bad breath and tartar buildup and to prevent gum disease.

Whippigs often suffer from patellar luxation, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Secure pet health insurance today to avoid high veterinary care costs. Our pet insurance tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like Figo and Spot. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!

Brushes for Whippig
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Whippig requires monthly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Whippig Temperament

Much like both of their parent breeds, the Whippig is a friendly, affectionate dog. They're energetic and playful but also love to cuddle or simply be near their humans. This is a dog that will happily accompany you on your morning jog and spend the evening watching Netflix from your lap – what’s not to love?

Because they're so playful and gentle, they make great companions for children. However, they do have delicate bones, particularly when they're young, so roughhousing should be minimized. They can be independent and strong-willed when it comes to training, but if you can show them that there is something in it for them, they'll cooperate. Often, affection is the best reward for your Whippig!

Italian Greyhounds are notoriously difficult to potty train, and the same may be true of your Whippig. Many pet parents choose to crate train their Whippigs for this reason. Whippigs are typically very friendly toward other dogs, but should be socialized from a young age. They have a strong prey drive and may not do well with cats or other small pets. However, if they're introduced and socialized with them from puppyhood, they may be just fine.

Whippigs are intelligent and sensitive and will be in tune with your moods. If you're stressed, they will be too. They may develop separation anxiety if they're left alone frequently for extended periods. 

Whippig Activity Requirements

The Whippig is an active breed that will do best with about 60 minutes of activity each day. Like many breeds, they can become destructive and mischievous if they don’t receive sufficient exercise.

Because they have such a strong prey drive and can run up to 25 miles per hour, it’s important to keep your Whippig on a leash during walks. They do well romping and playing in fenced yards, but be sure the fence is high enough that they can’t jump over it!

Whippigs are great dogs for agility competitions because they're smart and speedy. When Whippigs are well exercised, they make great house companions as they love to snuggle. Whippigs do best in warmer climates because they're sensitive to the cold and tend to dislike rainy weather, but, they can adapt as long as they have a warm jacket!

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Whippig Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Whippig Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Whippig size stats at six months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
Female Whippig size stats at six months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Whippig size stats at 12 months
Height: 16.5 inches Weight: 18.0 lbs
Female Whippig size stats at 12 months
Height: 16.5 inches Weight: 18.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Whippig size stats at 18 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 25.0 lbs
Female Whippig size stats at 18 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 25.0 lbs

Whippig Owner Experiences

Hazel
13 Weeks
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Nap
Go to Beach
She’s a very sweet, friendly but shy little girl. She grows so fast now since 10 weeks. She’s gaining 500grams per week! I love how wonderful she is.
2 years, 6 months ago
Tom
13 Weeks
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Extremely energetic at time and needs attention
2 years, 8 months ago
Mrs. Piggy
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
snuggle, run
All love. The mom and the dad live with us too. Looking for another litter soon!
2 years, 10 months ago
Ziggy
6 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Shopping
Tug-of-war
Nap
Hide & Seek
Speak
Cuddling
Tag
Running
I absolutely adore my Whippig. He is so sensitive and knows me so well. He always gives me a hug when I get home from work too. Idk what I would do without my baby boy.
6 years, 2 months ago
Sniff
9 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Obedience classes
Running
He is the cutest creature! Kind, energetic, and absolutely adorable. Can be a hanfull during puberty, but thats just a fase.
5 years, 8 months ago
Foxy
3 Years
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is Very loving, playful and very protective.
5 years, 6 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd