Grooming the Whippet

By Cindra Grooming Products — USA-Made Professional Grooming Essentials

The Whippet is a sleek, fast, and affectionate sighthound — essentially a smaller, gentler Greyhound built for explosive speed over short distances. The breed standard requires a short, close, smooth, firm coat with no exceptions, making the Whippet one of the lowest-maintenance breeds in the entire Hound Group.

Coat

The Whippet has a short, close, smooth, firm coat — the AKC standard disqualifies any other coat texture, so this is an extremely consistent feature across the breed. Any color or color combination is permitted. The coat requires almost no maintenance beyond basic brushing and occasional bathing. Whippets have very little body fat and thin skin, making them prone to chilling, which is more of a comfort consideration than a grooming one.

Character

The Whippet is lively, active, outgoing, and sociable — the breed standard explicitly notes that timid behavior is a fault. They are gentle and affectionate with their families, often described as couch potatoes at home despite their incredible speed in the field. Whippets are good with children and generally sociable with other dogs. They have a strong prey drive typical of sighthounds and need a securely fenced area for off-leash exercise. An excellent companion for owners who want an athletic dog with a surprisingly low-key indoor temperament.

Recommended Cindra Products

  • Moisturizing Shampoo — gentle formula for the thin, sensitive skin and short coat
  • Super Coat — diluted 90/10; finishing mist that adds shine to the smooth coat

Problems & Solutions

Problem Cause Solution
Skin abrasions and scrapes Thin skin and minimal body fat; high-speed activity Check the skin after vigorous exercise for scrapes; a dog-safe balm can help minor abrasions
Chilling in cold weather Minimal body fat and very short coat offer little insulation Provide a coat or sweater in cold weather; this is a genuine need for the breed, not an aesthetic choice
Dull coat Infrequent brushing Weekly brushing with a rubber curry or hound glove restores shine

Hands-On Grooming Guide

Brushing

Brush weekly with a rubber curry brush or hound glove to remove loose hair and bring out the coat’s natural sheen. This is minimal-effort work given the very short, smooth coat.

Bathing

Bathe every 4–6 weeks or as needed. Use Moisturizing Shampoo, which is gentle enough for the thin, sensitive skin of this breed. Rinse completely and dry thoroughly. Finish with a light mist of Super Coat diluted 90/10 for a glossy, show-ready finish.

Shedding

The Whippet sheds lightly given its short, fine coat. Weekly brushing easily manages the minimal hair this breed produces, making it one of the cleanest, easiest hounds to live with.

Puppy vs. Adult

Feature Puppy Adult
Coat texture Similar to adult; minimal change with maturity Short, close, smooth, firm
Grooming priority Build basic handling tolerance; cold-weather protection from early on Weekly brushing; cold-weather clothing as needed

Quick Grooming Schedule

Task Frequency
Brushing Weekly
Bath Every 4–6 weeks
Nail trim Every 3–4 weeks
Ear check Weekly

Resources