Are you wondering if a Whippet would make a good family dog? When considering which breed of dog to get for your new family pup, there are a lot of things to consider. You want to make sure that your new dog will be good with all the family members, kids, and potentially even other pets. Luckily, all of these factors are true when it comes to Whippets.
Whippets are sweet, friendly, and excellent family dogs that get along with kids and other pets in the household.
The rest of this article will detail why Whippets are good family dogs, how they interact with kids and other pets, and some pros and cons of owning a Whippet as a family dog.
Are Whippets good family dogs?
Are Whippets a good family dog? The answer is (mostly) yes! In this article, we will discuss some of the many pros and a few cons of owning a Whippet as a family dog. Overall, these dogs are wonderfully loyal and loving, and they are quick to bond strongly with their owners.
Whippets are very affectionate and do not need an overwhelming amount of exercise, making them an excellent choice for families who are busy with children or other pets.
Are Whippets good with kids?
Yes, Whippets are great with kids. They are very affectionate and playful, and they are not very aggressive at all. This means that you do not have to worry about your children being in danger around your Whippet. Rather, it should be safe for them to be around one another—although you should always supervise your children when they are around any dog.
Whippets also have lots of energy that comes in bursts, making them wonderful dogs for playing with your kids, and even tiring them out for you!
Are Whippets good with other dogs?
Yes, Whippets are naturally good with other dogs, just like with children. They are not aggressive and are in fact extremely gentle and friendly. However, if they do not have enough exercise, Whippets can become hyperactive and play slightly roughly with other dogs. This is not in an unfriendly manner, but you may still wish to avoid it, especially with smaller dogs.
To ensure that your Whippet is as gentle as possible with other dogs, make sure that he is getting the proper amount of exercise per day. This should be at least an hour per day, preferably split into several smaller walks or play sessions.
Are Whippets good with cats?
While Whippets are generally good with other animals in their home, especially animals who they have grown up, it is important to keep in mind that Whippets were bred to be hunting dogs. They have a high prey drive, especially toward smaller animals—and especially toward any small animal that may run from them.
Although there are many people who have reported that their Whippet lives perfectly peacefully with their family cat or cats, there have also been recorded cases of Whippets killing cats. If you wish to own a Whippet and a cat simultaneously, it is important never to leave them alone together. You should always supervise the interactions between your cat and Whippet.
This may be a con for some people wondering are Whippets a good family dog.
Are Whippets smart?
Yes, Whippets are very intelligent! According to the American Kennel Club, Whippets were originally bred as a smaller version of Greyhounds for rabbit hunting, and they come with a history of sharp intelligence as well as obedience.
Whippets have very high innate, instinctive intelligence as a result of their rabbit-hunting pedigree, and they are quick to learn new commands and tricks. This can make them especially fun for children who love to hang out with the family pup!
Are Whippets lazy?
Many people believe that Whippets are lazy because they do indeed have a reputation of being couch-potato dogs. The truth is, however, that Whippets have lots of energy which appears in small bursts. So, while they do need less exercise than many other dogs, you should still be exercising your Whippet every day.
Do Whippets need a lot of exercises?
Most Whippets need about an hour of exercise per day. Of course, your individual dog may need slightly more or less depending on their personal energy level.
How can I exercise my Whippet?
- Walks
- Runs
- Playtime
- Training
There are several ways you can exercise your Whippet! One of the most common ways is, of course, by taking him on walks. You should split your Whippet’s hour of exercise into several smaller chunks of exercise per day in order to account for his bursts of energy. In addition to walks, you can also exercise your Whippet by taking him out to run.
A playtime is also a form of exercise. When you are playing with your Whippet, whether it be through fetch, tug-of-war, agility courses, or any other form of play, your dog is getting both mentally and physically exercised. The bonus is that he is getting to spend lots of quality time with his humans!
Lastly, do not discount training as a way of exercising your Whippet. Teaching your dog new tricks and commands is a great way to, once again, exercise both his mind and his body at the same time. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise in order to keep your Whippet from becoming hyperactive and poorly behaved.
Will my Whippet snuggle with me?
Yes, Whippets are very affectionate dogs. They love to be pet and to cuddle up to their humans after a long day. However, it is important to ensure that you are getting your Whippet enough exercise—both physically and mentally—if you want them to turn into big old lap dogs.
Without proper mental and physical exercise, it is easy for a Whippet to become bored and overly energetic. These two things make for a not-so-pleasant combination, leading your Whippet to become hyperactive and even destructive. In these cases, your Whippet will be much less likely to sit and snuggle—he is more likely to be chewing up shoes or bouncing off the walls!
Can I take my Whippet running or hiking?
Yes, you can take your Whippet both running and hiking with you. In fact, because they were bred to run, Whippets actually make excellent dogs for speedrunners. They are better at running short distances, like sprinting, than they are at long-distance endurance running.
Similarly, Whippets make excellent hikers. Just keep in mind that due to their high prey drive, they may be easily distracted by any small animals along the trail!
When you take your Whippet running or hiking, make sure that you have the proper equipment to keep them comfortable and safe. Invest in a quality harness so you will not risk pulling at your dog’s neck, and consider a jacket or vest to keep them warm in cold outdoor weather.
You may also want to look into doggy booties if you frequently run on hard, rough surfaces such as asphalt or gravel.
Can I let my Whippet run off-leash?
Yes, you can absolutely let your Whippet run off-leash! This is a great way to allow your Whippet to do what he was bred for: run. Combined with regular walks, if you take your dog to run, you can be sure that he is getting the proper amount of exercise per day.
It is important to ensure that if you are allowing your Whippet to run off-leash, you are doing so in a safe, attentive manner. If not, you risk your dog running away from you, or else getting into trouble with wildlife, other dogs, traffic, or people.
How do I safely let my Whippet run off-leash?
Never allow your Whippet off-leash in an unenclosed area. You want to ensure that wherever you are allowing your dog to run, there is a quality fence with a gate surrounding the area. If you do not have a large fenced back yard, some areas you might consider include:
- Dog parks
- Sports fields
- Tennis courts
If none of these areas are located close to you, consider driving a little in order to allow your Whippet the opportunity to run. However, if you truly have no access to a large fenced-in area, you can always purchase a long line lead to allow your Whippet to run.
Long lines are very long leashes that will allow your Whippet the freedom to run while still remaining within your reach and control.
It is important to follow these safety precautions because if you do not, your dog could easily go missing or otherwise get into trouble. Even if your dog is very well trained, you never know what factors outside of your control could affect things.
Conclusion
Are Whippets a good family dog? Yes, Whippets are excellent family dogs who are great with small children, other dogs, and people. The only con that some people may run into when looking to adopt a Whippet as a family dog is that they are not always good with cats. However, in general, Whippets are friendly, loyal and intelligent, and affectionate dogs.