Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Mammal

Whippet

The Whippet is a medium-sized British breed of sighthound, developed in England and closely resembling a smaller Greyhound.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

The Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound breed from England, closely resembling a smaller Greyhound. It was originally bred for speed in racing and rabbit hunting, and today is a popular companion and sport dog.

What it is

A Whippet is a slim, muscular dog with a short fine coat, deep chest, and a top speed of about 56 km/h. It stands 44–51 cm tall, weighs 9–19 kg, and lives 12–15 years. The breed belongs to the sighthound group, known for chasing prey by sight.

History and origin

Whippets were developed in England, especially in northern working-class communities. These small sighthounds were bred for rabbit hunting and informal racing. They are lighter and smaller than Greyhounds, reflecting their purpose as fast, agile hunters for commoners.

Temperament and modern use

Whippets are generally gentle, affectionate, and calm indoors, but retain a strong instinct to chase small moving animals. Today they excel in dog sports like lure coursing and agility. In Canada, they are kept as companions and participate in active performance-dog circles.

In short

  • Medium-sized sighthound similar to Greyhound
  • Developed in England for speed and hunting
  • Gentle temperament but strong prey drive
  • Popular in Canadian lure coursing and agility
Canadian angle

Whippets are kept in Canada as companion dogs and participate in dog sports such as lure coursing and agility, which have active communities in Canadian kennel and performance-dog circles.

Quick questions

What kind of dog is a Whippet?
A medium-sized sighthound breed closely related to the Greyhound.
How fast can a Whippet run?
About 56 km/h.
Are Whippets good family dogs?
They are often gentle and affectionate companions, but have a strong chase instinct.

Sources

  1. PDSA — https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/medium-dogs/whippet
    Supports: Height, weight, lifespan, coat, exercise needs, and general temperament
  2. American Whippet Club — https://www.americanwhippetclub.org/about-whippets/
    Supports: Breed type, origin, purpose, history, height, weight, and lifespan
  3. Redhound For Dogs — https://www.redhoundfordogs.com/whippet-facts/
    Supports: Speed and typical adult weight
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whippet
    Supports: Breed classification, companion use, dog sports, and temperament