A whippet is a sleek, beautiful dog with all of the elegance of its greyhound cousins but packaged up into a much smaller dog.
This dog is considered one of the more manageable breeds as they take less maintenance than some of it’s hairier doggy relatives.
This is a dog that makes a loyal companion. They love nothing more in life than a nice soft bed and a cuddle on the sofa.
Yet, they are one of the running athletes of their species. Their shorter bursts of quick and fast energy make them the ideal pet for those pushed for time.
Whippets still require daily exercise, as do all dogs but not as much as some of their more muscular cousins.
They are keen chasers, just as a sighthound should be, so will take chase if they see something that takes their interest so they aren’t often able to be let off lead.
If they find something to chase they will chase it for miles!
Shedding can be one of the considerations people need to make as they choose their next pet. Shedding can be difficult to deal with in the home and is even worse for those people who suffer from allergies.
You might think that a short-haired dog will have less shedding issues than a fluffier companion but this isn’t always the case, however, the whippet is one of those dogs that makes a great all-round household companion.
Do Whippets Shed?
Do Whippets shed? Yes, Whippets do shed, but it isn’t nearly as much as some other breeds of dog. Most short-haired breeds of dog shed hair and your whippet will shed a small amount.
Their short hair can be spikey and get stuck into upholstery, clothes and carpet but regular vacuuming of the house to keep these issues to a minimum.
A Little History Of The Whippet
Its size and speed earned this dog the nickname of ‘the poor man’s racehorse’ a name that reflects the reason for the creation of the breed but not the elegance that the sophisticated look this dog is known for.
This dog breed was encouraged by the working-class people of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the North of England by breeding greyhounds with longer-legged terriers that showed speedy traits.
The purpose was to create a dog that is fast and a great hunter like a greyhound but without the high costs of kenneling and feeding that greyhound ownership bought with it.
The result was this magnificent dog that looks just like a small greyhound but is easy to keep and care for and was perfect for hunting small game.
This was a benefit for poachers to hunt and catch these food sources without being caught by landowners.
The traits that made these great for hunting sight dogs also made them perfect as racing dogs and they were soon trained to chase rags across fields for sport.
The working classes may have been part of the creation of the breed but this dog soon became desirable for the upper classes too and it is here that the breed we know and love today was perfected by breeding it with Italian greyhounds.
What Is A Whippets Coat Like?
Whippets like many short-haired breeds have a short dense coat that lies flat to the body. This hair close to the body is what gives the whippet its sleek and shiny look.
Unlike furrier dogs whippets do not have a double layer of fur. They have one coat made up of lots of short hair densely packed together.
The colour of a whippet can vary greatly with many colour combinations including white, black, red, cream, fawn, blue and brindle.
Their eye colour can also be different but the best looking versions are considered to have dark shiny eyes.
A whippets coat is easily maintained but because it is of the shorter variety it doesn’t offer as much protection as some other breeds of dog.
This may mean your whippet may suffer from scratches, bleeds and nicks a little easier than a furry dog.
How Much Do Whippets Shed?
As with any dog type, there can be some variation in just how much shedding to expect but in general, a Whippet sheds much less than many of its short-haired cousins.
You should expect a small to moderate amount of shedding throughout the year and of course, this will increase biannually when most dogs shed their old coats in Spring and Autumn.
When Do Whippets Shed The Most?
As with many dogs, Whippets will shed the most during the Spring when they shed their winter coat and prepare for a new shiny summer coat.
They will also shed again in the Autumn to shed the summer coat ready to grow through their winter coat. The Autumn shed should be a little less hairy than the Springtime shed.
There are other times when Whippets might start to shed a little more than usual. Underlying medical issues can show symptoms such as an unhealthy coat that sheds more than it normally would.
A trip to the vet can help you to work out if there is a health reason your dog is shedding more.
Other issues that could cause shedding is if your dog is licking more which it may do if it has sore spots, injuries or even minor skin lesions.
Check your dog over regularly for any of these issues will help to combat this.
Whippets can suffer from stress and anxiety easily which can result in licking as a soothing technique, a loss of appetite or simply poor health. All of these can have extra hair shedding as a symptom.
Equipment To Combat A Whippets Shedding
Shedding hair is a natural part of a dog’s life. It helps them maintain a healthy coat and healthy skin, both of which help a dog maintain it’s overall health.
So you shouldn’t try to stop a dog from shedding naturally. However, there are ways to keep your dogs hair off the floor and your clothes!
Whippets require less grooming and maintenance than many other dog breeds.
Bathing too often can actually irritate the dog’s skin. This can cause them problems so they should only be bathed when necessary after rolling in something particularly muddy or smelly.
As for grooming, this is easy with a whippet. They don’t require many tools and don’t require an intense grooming schedule.
A quick brush once a week is all your dog will need to help rid them of any dead or loose hair before it falls on your floor or couch.
This will also help them maintain that beautiful sleek look that a whippet is known for.
A good brushing time is great for canine and human bonding time but it is also the perfect way to help to distribute the naturally produced oils your dog’s skin produces all over the skin and coat.
This helps keep your dog moisturized and healthy so a quick brush once a week is a win-win for everyone!
When it comes to grooming you don’t have too many tangles, hair mats or knots to worry about. So a couple of simple tools is all you need.
Rubber Curry Brush and Water Demister
This brush is perfect for a quick all-over groom. It’s gentle and the rubber tips won’t hurt your Whippets thin hair and skin.
Use a demisting spray filled with water to wet the coat ever so slightly and then smooth over with the brush.
Dead hair and dirt will attach to the comb and you have saved your bed, sofa and carpet from receiving that hair!
Bristle Brush
A soft bristle brush is a great option for grooming your whippet. Soft bristles will get through the hair without digging in too deep and hurting the dog.
It will remove any dead hair but also help smooth over the coat so that it lays flat and maintains its smooth silky look and feel.
Rubber Grooming Mitt
For a quick and easy groom just pop this glove on and give your dog a pet.
The rubber bristles are gentle but will help smooth out the hair whilst removing any old hair and dirt. The perfect option for both pet and owner.
Tools Not To Use On Your Whippet
A de-shedding tool must be used very rarely and with care if at all. These brush types are a little too harsh for a whippet’s skin and your dog shouldn’t need de-shedding.
They don’t have a lot of hair and the hair they do have can be groomed with other types of brush that are much gentler on the skin.
If your dog is going through a shedding phase then it might be necessary to use a brush such as this but this will be very rare and it might be worth getting a professional dog groomers advice first.
Are Whippets Considered Hypoallergenic?
A whippet may be a light shedding dog but it is not hypoallergenic. No hairy dog or animal ever is in reality.
Some dogs may shed less than others or be more controllable with how they shed using grooming. All dogs will still have hair loss, dander, dust and debris that will be difficult for any allergy suffers or people with illnesses such as asthma.
Be careful when introducing a pet to a home where allergies are an issue. You should always expect that the allergies will be aggravated and it may be that these homes are not suitable for pets.
Do Some Whippets Shed More Than Others?
In short, the answer is yes. All dogs vary with their characteristics even within the same breed and whilst you can use breeding and pedigree to predict a dog’s traits you can never fully tell what a dog is going to be like.
A quick chat with a variety of whippet owners will give you an idea of just how much this issue can vary from dog to dog.
Some whippet owners swear their dog hardly ever sheds any hair and others seem to be plagued with furry spots on their dog’s favorite armchairs and beds.
Once you have gotten to know your dog and it’s shedding habits you will have an idea of what is normal for your whippet.
There are things that can change how much your dog sheds and it is worth keeping an eye on things like increased licking, signs of stress, illness and injury as these can all lead to a dog that sheds more hair.
Health Reasons A Whippet Might Shed More
Stress and Anxiety
As a breed generally Whippets are more prone to notice changes in the household. They are loyal pets who love to be by your side, at your feet or more commonly cuddling on the couch.
This affection and loyalty are lovely traits in a furry companion but they can cause your dog to suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone regularly or for long periods of time.
Hair shedding can be one of the signs of stress to watch out for.
Fleas and Other Parasites
A whippet loves a good long walk in the country or in a park but they can easily pick up parasites such as fleas and ticks.
These can lead to skin irritation and extra licking, both of which can cause extra hair shedding.
Poor Diet
Nutrition is important to dog health. If your dog isn’t getting a diet that is appropriate for dogs and includes all the vitamins and minerals a whippet requires then their health and their coat will suffer.
Skin Irritations And Injury
A whippet’s thin coat might be great for being low maintenance but it does mean that your dog is a little less protected than a dog with a thicker coat.
This can lead to minor skin injuries and irritations that will cause your dog to lick the affected area and could even cause extra hair loss.
Final Thoughts: Do Whippets Shed?
Whippets make great family pets. They love nothing more than to be cuddled up somewhere warm with their pet parents.
They are gentle, loyal and affectionate dogs and they don’t even bark very much! There is little more you could want in a pet!
They are easy to groom and care for. Requiring only minimal brushing and bathing.
Their biggest requirement is daily walks and exercise to keep them healthy and from getting bored. As problems go, this isn’t a huge issue as all dogs require some level of exercise.
If you are looking for an intelligent pet that gets on well with other humans but requires minimal grooming maintenance this may well be the perfect pooch for you.
Thank you for reading do Whippets shed, have a great day!