Whippets live between 12 and 15 years on average, with the median lifespan being 12.75 years. They are a fit and active breed, but their intense interest in local wildlife can lead to fatalities on the road or accidents in the forest. They are also prone to heart problems and if they need surgery can react badly to anasthesia. To help your Whippet live as long as possible, have regular vet checks and teach them a rock solid recall command to keep them safe.
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Whippet Quality of Life
The Whippet is a very active, athletic breed that tends to be very healthy, especially compared to other purebred dogs. There are, however, a few things that can affect a Whippet’s quality of life that Whippet owners should be aware of.
Anxiety
Whippets can be prone to anxiety, especially crate claustrophobia and separation anxiety. Establishing a secure attachment early in the dog’s life can help prevent anxiety, but it’s not completely avoidable in all cases.
Having a pair of Whippets can also be helpful as the dogs can bond and keep each other company. If that’s not an option, leaving your Whippet in a doggy day care when you’ll be gone for more than a few hours can prevent anxiety and provide your Whippet with valuable socialization.
Cold Sensitivity
Because they have such low body fat, Whippets can also be sensitive to the cold. They shouldn’t be kept as outdoor pets and should not be left outside unsupervised when the weather is cool.
Sweaters and a soft bed can help keep Whippets warm in cool weather. Provided you take good care of your pup, Whippet lifespan should not be affected by their sensitivity to cold.
Vision
Whippets are also prone to vision problems, like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and corneal dystrophy. These conditions are not painful, but only cataracts has the potential to be cured.
Most dogs adjust well to losing their sight as long as owners are mindful to keep the layout of the home predictable for the dog. Don’t rearrange furniture, leave large objects in unexpected places, or close doors that are usually open.
Fortunately, whippet lifespan won’t be impacted by their loss of vision.
Anesthesia
Finally, Whippets have adverse reactions to anesthesia. They can be prone to hypothermia or hyperthermia while anesthetized and are slow to recover. An experienced vet knows how to handle this safely.
Causes of Death in Whippets
Whippets can be prone to heart murmurs and irregular or intermittent heart beats. Cardiological problems are the top cause of early death in Whippets.
Accidents and injuries are the second highest cause of early death. Whippets have a strong prey drive and love to run. This can lead them to run into streets and other dangerous areas.
For Whippets that live a normal lifespan, old age is the most common cause of death. Cancer, particularly lymphoma, is the second most prevalent. Unfortunately, these diseases are a natural result of aging and little can be done to prevent or cure them.
Extending the Whippet Lifespan
On the other hand, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your Whippets as healthy as possible and help them live a long, healthy life.
Weight
For those who don’t know better, a Whippet’s natural skinny frame can make them seem underweight, and owners can be tempted to overfeed them.
A healthy Whippet can weigh anywhere between 15 and 42 pounds, so talk to your vet to determine a healthy weight and diet for your individual Whippet.
You should also make sure that your Whippet gets plenty of exercise.
These dogs are natural sprinters with tons of energy, so games of fetch are a great way to exercise your Whippet while bonding at the same time.
Whippets also make great walking and running partners as long as you don’t go too far.
Safety
Whippets should be kept on a leash whenever not enclosed in a fence to keep them safe from other animals and their own desire to run.
Make sure that fencing is totally secure, as these thin dogs can easily fit through surprisingly small gaps.
Just be sure to keep your Whippet warm whether it’s outside in chilly temperatures or inside in powerful air conditioning.
Genetic Testing
Finally, if you’re obtaining a Whippet from a breeder, make sure that both parents underwent genetic testing to ensure that health problems weren’t passed down to their puppies.
Any responsible breeder should be able to provide you with the results of genetic testing of the two parents, which should also be registered with an organization like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
Deborah K Vasser says
We just lost our 9 y/o purebred whippet one of the sweetest dogs l have had.She had thyroid disease not happy with her response to the thyroid meds so an another vet.Took one look at her thought she had cushions disease.After about 4 mo.& alot of money she passed away all of a sudden so your dog probably should be tested for cushions disease.Her litter mate a male is a male is so sad he misses her and so do we.
kevin says
my boy lincoln is 12 yrs old and i raised on the road trucking he,s been from california to jersey. snow and ice. he,s my best friend and imagine life without him. he,s slower now and some gray hair but pretty healthy other then some hair loss on legs and his sides near rear legs and doesnt seem to be getting worse and has been on antibiotic but didnt really help and between two vets we cant really figure it out and he scratches alot. anyone with these issues.
Victoria says
I have a 10 year old whippet called Georgey boy, he’s not as active as he used to be but still a fit & muscular boy he loves his shorter walks. But loves sleeping & resting in my bed even more these days xx
Doreen Chui says
My 16 yr old whippet seems to have weak legs. Started with the front legs and yesterday the back legs seems to be weak too. What can I do?
Sonia says
We have still got Molly,she is very slow now,and prefers to sleep than move but we still walk her 3 times a day.18 yrs old we can’t complain,She’s been so much fun and she is still here.
Beth Stuch says
My whippet,Fiona, died last month at 17 years. She had always had a heart murmur but walked a mile a day before she died.
Sonia says
Sorry to here that,we have Molly who is 18 ,her eyesight and hearing have gone now,and she does nt know sometimes that’s she’s pooing and peeing, she also has a murmur,but we walk her 3 tomes a day and hope we have got her for a little longer..
Sonia says
That’s so sad, Molly is still with us shes 18 but really struggling now..We are trying everything too keep her a little longer
Dave says
Our male whippet is 9 years old, was always good at toileting on command
If he wanted to go whilst in doors would always bark to be attended to. Suddenly he just goes in the house without warning even when he is sitting along side us he will suddenly get up ad pee in front of us.we know Jhelum has a. Heart murmur.what should we do any advise we are both elderly and disabled so can not cope with this enymore and are at our whits end
Gail says
My Twiggy is 12.5 yo. Started having seizures. Only a Neuro Dr. Can find cause so they are put on anti-convulsent.
I did not use flea/tick med until recently (made a spray of cloves & peppermint instead).
Because they’re sensitive to medications – no body fat – I wonder if the the flea/med did damage.
Catherine says
Hi. Can anyone give me an idea of what length I can expect my female whippet puppy to reach as an adult?
Sonia says
We have still got Molly,she is very slow now,and prefers to sleep than move but we still walk her 3 times a day.18 yrs old we can’t complain,She’s been so much fun and she is still here.
Jan says
Thank you for posting this thread. My Whippet, a first for us as we switched from Bassets after 40+ years, is now 10 years and I’ve been wondering about longevity with the breed. The only problem we’ve had with her was a corn on left front paw but strangely after the last hulling, it’s gone. She’s spayed.
David Ward says
Mine is 13 and still healthy she has been spayed
Nancy T says
Mine is 14, relatively healthy, but was just diagnosed with low thyroid levels. Fortunately, if it’s not a temporary issue, it’s relatively easy to monitor and treat.
val says
whippets are sensitive to things like tick medications/ flea collars. Be very careful about things like NexGard..
autoimmune can be an issue with sighthounds- brought on by chemicals etc.
Diane says
What is best for flea prevention, I have a 10mth old female spayed whippet , I used advantage on her, I only do it in late spring and summer, I’ve heard horror stories on Nexgard and bravecto even though my vet says it’s the best