Whippet Puppy Guide
Everything you need for a Whippet puppy's first year. Feeding schedule, training milestones, vaccination timeline, and health concerns for medium breed puppies.
First Week Home
Bringing home a Whippet puppy is exciting but requires preparation. Medium breed puppies typically reach full size by 12-15 months.
Plan for 25-40 lbs of dog and 12-15 yrs of life with a Whippet — and plan for an ownership experience that rewards knowing the breed rather than treating it as generic. At 25-40 lbs with a life expectancy of 12-15 yrs, the Whippet represents a significant commitment that rewards prepared owners with years of devoted companionship.
Health Predisposition Summary: Whippets show higher-than-average incidence of heart disease, eye problems, anesthesia sensitivity based on breed health database data. Individual risk depends on lineage, environment, and care. Work with your vet to determine which screenings are appropriate at each life stage.
Feeding Schedule
At 25-40 lbs with a life expectancy of 12-15 yrs, the Whippet represents a significant commitment that rewards prepared owners with years of devoted companionship. Whippets with moderate energy levels strike a good balance between activity and relaxation.
- Size: medium (25-40 lbs)
- Energy Level: Moderate
- Shedding: Light
- Common Health Issues: Heart Disease, Eye Problems, Anesthesia Sensitivity
- Lifespan: 12-15 yrs
Vaccination Timeline
Care that accounts for breed predispositions leads to earlier detection and better prevention. Whippets sit in the medium-size category, shed at a light level, and carry documented risk for heart disease and eye problems — those three factors drive most of the daily-care decisions.
Give the vet a heads-up before altering the diet in any substantive way — the notice lets them flag drug-nutrient interactions or testing windows proactively.
Socialization Window
- Provide 30–60 minutes of daily exercise appropriate to their energy level
- Feed a high-quality diet formulated for medium breed dogs (800–1,200 calories/day)
- Maintain a weekly grooming routine
- Schedule breed-appropriate health screenings for heart disease
- Pet insurance enrolled early typically offers the best value, covering breed-related conditions before they develop
First-Year Health Milestones
When preventive routines align with known breed predispositions, the downstream savings compound over the pet's life. Watch for early signs of heart disease, maintain regular veterinary visits, and keep your dog at a healthy weight — excess weight worsens most of the conditions Whippets are prone to.
Veterinary Care Schedule for Whippets
Regular veterinary visits allow early detection of breed-associated conditions, when treatment is most effective. The recommended schedule for your Whippet. Your vet may modify this depending on your pet's history.
| Life Stage | Visit Frequency | Key Screenings |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (0-1 year) | Every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 6 and 12 months | Vaccinations, deworming, spay/neuter (consult AVMA guidelines on optimal timing) consultation |
| Adult (1-7 years) | Annually | Physical exam, dental check, heartworm test, vaccination boosters |
| Senior (7+ years) | Every 6 months | Blood work, urinalysis, Heart Disease screening, Eye Problems screening, Anesthesia Sensitivity screening |
Whippets should receive breed-specific screening for heart disease starting at 3-5 years of age or earlier if symptoms appear. Most breed-related conditions respond better to early intervention.
Cost of Whippet Ownership
- Annual food costs: $400–$800 for high-quality dog food
- Veterinary care: $300–$700 annually for routine visits, plus potential emergency costs
- Grooming: $45–70 per professional session (weekly home grooming recommended)
- Pet insurance: $35–55/month for comprehensive coverage
- Supplies and toys: $200–$500 annually for bedding, toys, leashes, and other essentials
More Whippet Guides
Additional Whippet resources.
- Whippet Diet & Nutrition Guide
- Whippet Pet Insurance Cost
- How to Train a Whippet
- Whippet Grooming Guide
- Whippet Health Issues
- Whippet Temperament & Personality
- Whippet Exercise Needs
- Whippet Cost of Ownership
Key Questions
Confidence in this area translates directly into more deliberate, and more effective, care choices. Your pet will show you what works through appetite, energy, coat, and behavior, adjust based on that evidence.
What are the most important considerations for whippet?
Raising a young Whippet Puppy Guide requires attention to nutrition, socialization, vaccination schedules, and establishing good habits early.