Breed Health
Whippet Health Issues
A generally healthy breed, though its sighthound physiology brings a few specific considerations worth knowing.
Common Hereditary Conditions
Anesthesia Sensitivity
Like other sighthounds, Whippets have very low body fat, which affects how anesthesia drugs metabolize — always confirm a vet has sighthound experience before any procedure.
Cardiomyopathy
A heart muscle condition documented in the breed; regular cardiac screening can help detect it before symptoms appear.
Deafness
Congenital deafness is seen somewhat more often in the breed, particularly in white or piebald individuals; BAER hearing testing can identify affected puppies.
Corns (Paw Pad)
A painful, breed-specific paw pad condition seen almost exclusively in Whippets and a few related sighthounds; management varies from padding to surgical removal.
Preventive Care
Always flag the breed to a vet before any anesthesia or sedation, given its unique drug sensitivity. Regular cardiac screening is worthwhile given the breed’s documented risk. Because Whippets have very little body fat, a coat or sweater in cold weather helps protect against chill during winter walks.
Did You Know?
Whippets are sometimes called "the poor man’s racehorse" for their speed relative to cost — despite the nickname, their low body fat means they need more warmth and gentler handling than their athletic build might suggest.
Whippet Gifts
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