Whippet

Dogs of a Whippet type were common in the Middle Ages and genetic studies in the 21st century have determined that it originated from the Greyhound, a Celtic breed known to the Romans as Vertragus. By the 19th century, the Whippet was a recognisable breed, used for hunting small game and the extermination of vermin which the Victorians developed into a gambling sport. Whippet racing later became popular in the mining areas of the North and Wales but also in London and the Midlands. Early breed standards of both the Whippet and the Italian Greyhound refer to “a Greyhound in miniature” but the conformation of all three has developed along different paths. Although Whippet racing continues on a very minor scale, the breed is now hugely popular in the show ring where its elegant lines and smooth daisy cutting action has won many admirers. As a family companion, the Whippet is gentle and affectionate and enjoys the comforts of domestic life.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Hound breed group

Breeds originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight. The scent hounds include the Beagle and Bloodhound and the sight hounds such breeds as the Whippet and Greyhound. Many of them enjoy a significant amount of exercise and can be described as dignified, aloof but trustworthy companions.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black
Black & White Particolour
Black & White Trim
Black Brindle
Black Brindle White Trim
Blue
Blue Brindle
Blue Brindle Particolour
Blue Brindle White Particolour
Blue Brindle White Trim
Blue Fawn
Blue White Particolour
Blue White Trim
Brindle
Brindle & White Particolour
Brindle White Trim
Cream
Fawn
Fawn Black Mask
Fawn Black Mask White Trim
Fawn Blue Mask
Fawn Brindle
Fawn Brindle White Particolour
Fawn Brindle White Trim
Fawn White Particolour
Fawn White Trim
Red Brindle
Red Brindle Particolour
Red Brindle White Trim
Red Fawn
Red Fawn & White Particolour
Red Fawn Black Mask
Red Fawn Black Mask White Trim
Red Fawn White Trim
Silver Brindle
Silver Brindle & White Trim
Silver Brindle Particolour
White
White & Blue Brindle
White & Fawn Particolour

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you're considering buying a Whippet puppy or breeding from your dog, it's important to understand the health issues that may affect the breed and how they can be managed or avoided.

Pre-breeding health screening

Good Practice schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that breeders, at a minimum, conduct these tests before breeding, as evidence indicates these conditions are a significant concern in the breed.

Prioritising genetic diversity

This breed also has a breed club health scheme, with further information available here

Click here to find out more about The Kennel Club's health standard

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed or Activity Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

DNA testing services

We don’t currently offer a breed-specific DNA testing package for this breed, but we have a wide selection of individual DNA tests available. To find out more and view our full selection, click here.

Breed health & conservation plan

The Breed Health and Conservation Plans

Our breed health and conservations plans (BHCPs) use evidence and data to help us understand the health issues found in each pedigree dog breed. These plans help breeders and owners identify health and welfare problems and use information, health tests and health schemes to avoid passing on those problems to future puppies. They also support and provide breeders with tools and specialist expertise to help manage genetic diversity, understand the impacts of close breeding, and find the best ways to preserve the population of their breed.

Working together for the breed

We’ve worked with breed clubs and breed representatives to gather all available evidence to help us determine the priority concerns for the breed and decide how we can work together to manage and reduce these problems.

The full evidence base is available at the discretion of the breed clubs, however if you would like to seek access to the full report, please contact our health team.

Health (The Kennel Club)

More about health

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Jo Whitehead

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.