Long Haired Whippet: Complete Breed Profile, Care & Ownership Guide

If you've ever seen a sleek sighthound trotting through a park and thought, "I wish that dog had a flowing, elegant coat," the long haired whippet might be exactly what you've been searching for. This striking variation of the classic whippet combines the breed's legendary speed and gentle disposition with a soft, silky coat that sets it apart in any crowd. But before you fall for those feathered ears and that graceful silhouette, there's a lot to understand about this uncommon dog.

The long haired whippet is not a separate AKC-recognized breed — it's a coat-length variant of the standard whippet, produced by a recessive gene. That means two short-coated whippets can produce long haired puppies if both carry the gene. In this comprehensive profile, we'll break down everything from their exercise requirements and grooming demands to the real costs of ownership, so you can decide whether this beautiful sighthound belongs in your home.

Breed Overview: Origin, History, and Classification

The whippet traces its roots to Northern England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where coal miners and working-class families bred them by crossing small greyhounds with terriers for rabbit coursing and racing. The American Kennel Club first recognized the whippet in 1888, and the breed has maintained a devoted following ever since.

The long haired variant emerged through a naturally occurring recessive gene affecting the FGF5 (fibroblast growth factor 5) locus, which controls coat length in dogs. Long haired whippets have appeared sporadically in litters for decades, though they were historically considered undesirable by breeders focused on the traditional short-coated show standard. Today, a small but dedicated community of breeders intentionally produces long haired whippets, sometimes referred to colloquially as "silken whippets" or "long-coated whippets" — though the Silken Windhound is a separate, distinct breed developed in the 1980s by crossing whippets with longhaired Borzoi-type dogs.

Physical Characteristics: What a Long Haired Whippet Looks Like

Beneath that luxurious coat, the long haired whippet is structurally identical to the standard whippet. They possess the classic sighthound silhouette: a deep, narrow chest, a tucked-up abdomen, long slender legs, and an arched loin built for explosive acceleration. Their heads are long and lean with large, dark, oval-shaped eyes and small rose ears that fold back when relaxed and semi-prick when alert.

The coat is the defining feature. Expect soft, silky hair ranging from 2 to 5 inches in length, with pronounced feathering on the ears (often described as "ear furnishings"), a well-furred chest, moderate fringing along the back of the forelegs and hindquarters, and a long, well-feathered tail carried in a gentle curve. Coat colors span the full spectrum: solid black, blue (gray), fawn, red, cream, white, brindle, and particolored (white with patches of any other color). Some long haired whippets have a slight wave to their coat, though a straight, flowing coat is most common.

Adult males typically stand 19–22 inches (48–56 cm) and weigh 30–40 lb (14–18 kg), while females are generally 18–21 inches (46–53 cm) and weigh 25–35 lb (11–16 kg). These are athletic dogs — you should be able to feel their ribs easily with light pressure, and the last two ribs may even be faintly visible, which is normal for sighthounds and not a sign of underweight condition.

Temperament and Personality: Five Core Traits

The long haired whippet inherits the standard whippet temperament, which experienced sighthound owners often describe as "a cat in a dog's body." Here are the five defining personality traits you'll encounter daily:

1. Affectionate Without Being Clingy
Long haired whippets form deep bonds with their families and love physical contact — but on their own terms. Expect your dog to curl up pressed against your side on the couch, often burrowing under blankets (sighthounds are notorious blanket-stealers). They'll follow you from room to room, but they rarely demand constant interaction the way a retriever or herding breed might.

2. Calm Indoors, Explosive Outdoors
This is the classic sighthound duality. Inside your home, a long haired whippet is essentially a decorative pillow that occasionally sighs. They're quiet, low-energy companions who sleep 14–16 hours a day as adults. Outside, however, they transform — sprinting at speeds up to 35 mph in short bursts, chasing anything that moves with single-minded intensity.

3. Sensitive and Emotionally Attuned
Whippets are remarkably perceptive dogs that pick up on household tension, raised voices, and changes in routine. A harsh reprimand can cause a whippet to shut down or become fearful for hours. This sensitivity makes them wonderful companions for calm households but a poor match for chaotic, loud environments.

4. Reserved With Strangers
Don't expect your long haired whippet to greet visitors with exuberant tail-wagging. Most are polite but aloof with unfamiliar people — they'll observe from a distance and approach when they feel comfortable. They're not aggressive, but they're not natural extroverts either.

5. High Prey Drive
This is non-negotiable sighthound biology. If something small and fast moves — a squirrel, a rabbit, a neighbor's cat, a plastic bag tumbling in the wind — your long haired whippet's instinct is to chase it. This drive is hardwired and cannot be trained away, only managed through secure fencing and leash discipline.

Exercise, Activity, and Training Requirements

Contrary to what their athletic build suggests, whippets are not high-endurance dogs. They're sprinters, not marathon runners. Here's what a realistic daily exercise plan looks like:

Total daily exercise target: 60–90 minutes, combining walks with at least one opportunity for high-speed running in a safely enclosed space. Without regular sprint opportunities, whippets can become frustrated and develop destructive behaviors indoors.

Training approach: Whippets are intelligent but independently motivated — they're not biddable in the way a Border Collie or Labrador is. They learn quickly but may choose not to comply if they see no benefit. Use positive reinforcement exclusively: high-value food rewards (real chicken, freeze-dried liver), play rewards, and praise. Keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes) and end on a success. Force-free, reward-based methods are essential — aversive tools like shock collars or prong collars will damage a whippet's trust and can trigger fear-based shutdowns. Their trainability rating is moderate: expect reliable recall only in low-distraction environments, and never trust off-leash recall in an unsecured area regardless of training level.

Apartment living assessment: Long haired whippets adapt surprisingly well to apartment life provided they receive their daily sprint session at a nearby park or dog run. Their indoor quietness and low barking tendency make them excellent neighbors. However, you must commit to daily trips to a secure off-leash area — a small backyard alone won't meet their speed needs.

Health Issues: Breed-Specific Conditions to Monitor

Whippets are generally one of the healthier purebred dogs, benefiting from a relatively large gene pool and functional breeding history. However, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and veterinary literature document several conditions with elevated prevalence in the breed. Always consult your veterinarian for breed-appropriate screening.

Cold sensitivity: Whippets have minimal body fat and thin skin, making them genuinely cold-intolerant. The long coat provides slightly more insulation than the standard short coat, but it's not sufficient for extended outdoor exposure in temperatures below 40°F (4°C). Budget for a well-fitted dog coat for winter walks — brands like Hurtta and Ruffwear make sighthound-specific cuts that accommodate their deep chest and narrow waist.

Grooming the Long Haired Whippet Coat

The long coat requires noticeably more maintenance than the standard whippet's wash-and-wear coat, but it's far less demanding than a full-coated breed like an Afghan Hound or Shih Tzu. Here's what to expect:

Brushing (2–3 times per week, 15–20 minutes per session): Use a slicker brush for the body and a steel comb for the feathered areas on the ears, legs, and tail. Focus on the areas behind the ears, the armpits, and the "pants" area on the hindquarters — these are where mats and tangles form first. A light detangling spray (such as Chris Christensen Ice on Ice or BioSilk for Dogs) makes combing easier and prevents hair breakage.

Bathing (every 4–6 weeks or as needed): Use a moisturizing shampoo formulated for long-coated dogs. Whippets have sensitive skin prone to dryness, so avoid harsh deodorizing formulas. After bathing, blow-dry on a cool setting while brushing to prevent tangles from setting as the coat dries.

Nail trimming (every 2–3 weeks): Whippet nails grow quickly, and overgrown nails alter their foot structure and running mechanics. Use a guillotine-style clipper or a Dremel rotary tool — many whippets tolerate the Dremel better once desensitized.

Ear care (weekly): Check rose ears for debris, moisture, and signs of infection (redness, odor). Clean gently with a veterinary ear cleaner on a cotton pad — never insert cotton swabs into the ear canal.

Family Suitability: Kids, Other Pets, and Household Fit

With children: Long haired whippets do well with calm, respectful children aged 8 and older who understand how to interact gently with dogs. They are not sturdy enough for rough-and-tumble play with toddlers, and their sensitivity means that ear-pulling, tail-grabbing, or being jumped on can cause both physical injury and lasting fear. Teach children to let the dog come to them and to never disturb a sleeping whippet.

With other dogs: Whippets are typically excellent with other dogs, especially fellow sighthounds. They enjoy group play that involves chase games and often form close bonds with canine housemates. A multi-dog household with another whippet, Italian Greyhound, or similarly built dog is often ideal.

With cats and small animals: This is where caution is essential. A long haired whippet's prey drive means cats, rabbits, and small pets are at genuine risk. Some whippets can coexist peacefully with a household cat if raised together from puppyhood, but this is never guaranteed. Never leave a whippet unsupervised with a cat, even if they've been "fine" for months — the instinct can trigger suddenly.

Cost of Ownership: Purchase Price and Annual Expenses

Long haired whippets are a niche market, and pricing reflects their scarcity. Here's a realistic breakdown based on current breeder pricing and veterinary cost data:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost Range
Puppy purchase price (from a health-tested breeder)	$1,500–$3,500
Adoption/rescue (if available — rare)	$300–$600
Initial veterinary setup (vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip)	$400–$800
Annual veterinary care (wellness exams, vaccines, preventives)	$600–$1,200
High-quality food (annual)	$400–$700
Grooming supplies and products (annual)	$100–$250
Pet insurance (annual premium)	$400–$700
Winter coats, gear, accessories	$100–$300
Estimated first-year total	$3,500–$7,250
Estimated annual cost after year one	$1,500–$3,150

When searching for a breeder, prioritize those who perform OFA health testing (cardiac, thyroid, eyes) on both parents, provide a written health guarantee, and have a take-back clause requiring the dog be returned to them if you can no longer provide care. The American Whippet Club maintains a breeder referral directory and is a reliable starting point. Be cautious of breeders marketing "rare long haired whippets" at inflated prices without health documentation — this is a red flag for profit-driven breeding.

Frequently Asked Questions