Do Whippets Make Good Running Partners? The Truth + Tips

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Whippets are known for their racing abilities but can they run with you? Will they enjoy the slower paced running or are they only interested in short bursts of high speed?

Can Whippets Run With You:

Whippets are lean, high energy dogs that enjoy and need a lot of daily physical activity. When it comes to running with you, as long as you give them training on how to run longer distances they should enjoy the exercise.

In this post you’ll discover:

How far whippets can run with you
Where you can take your whippet for runs
3 dangers to watch out for when running with your whippet
5 tips to help make sure your whippet is safe while running with you (Tip #3 is the most important!)
And much more

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

How Far Can Whippets Run? Can They Run Long Distances?

How far a whippet can run will depend on their age and conditioning.

While they’re naturally lean, skinny dogs they still require training in order to allow them to comfortably run long distances.

They were originally bred to race as well as chase down small rodents, which makes them really good at short bursts of high speed.

But when it comes to running longer distances they need to learn how to pace themselves.

It’s like expecting Usain Bolt to be able to run marathons simply because he’s the fastest man alive.

All his conditioning is around being fast in short races.

Which is how your whippet has been conditioned for years.

So while they thoroughly enjoy running and getting lots of physical activity, they still need to be trained to handle running long distances.

Over time you should have no problem gradually increasing the distance you run with your whippet.

As long as they’re in good health they should be able to run long distances with you.

How Fast Are Whippets?

Whippets are one of the fastest breeds around.

They can reach a top speed of 35 mph!

Of course they aren’t able to keep up this pace for very long.

But most other dogs are only able to reach speeds of 15-20 mph so whippets are significantly quicker than many other breeds.

This is because they were bred from greyhounds which are notorious racing dogs and one of the, if not the, fastest dog breed.

Where Can I Take My Whippet To Run?

The most important thing to keep in mind wherever you take your whippet to run is it should have paw-friendly terrain.

Because they don’t have shoes like you do to protect their feet, you need to be mindful of the condition of the ground wherever you take them running.

Things like gravel, salt, hot pavement, etc. are all things to avoid when taking your whippet running with you.

If it gets super hot during the summer months where you live you should take them for a run in the morning before the concrete gets unbearably hot.

Also, it’s best not to take your whippet running when it’s too cold out.

Their lack of body fat as well as thin coat doesn’t give them the best insulation from the cold which can easily make running unenjoyable or potentially dangerous for them.

As long as you’re taking your whippet somewhere where the terrain isn’t 100% gravel, unshaded from a summer’s heat or in the middle of winter they should be fine.

Hiking trails should be fine, forest trails should be fine, sidewalks and roads are fine when not too hot, and of course running tracks are fine.

Do your best to get in the habit of pausing and asking yourself, “Are the conditions where we’ll be running paw-friendly for my pup?”.

Dangers To Watch Out For When Running With a Whippet

Getting Too Warm

Even though your whippet is likely skinny and has a thin single-layered coat they are still at risk of overheating when on a run.

Your pup isn’t able to regulate their temperature as well as you are.

Dogs only sweat through their nose and mouth (moderately through their paws as well) which makes them warm up quicker and have trouble cooling down.

Whereas you sweat all over your body to help you cool down.

This means you’ll have to be your pups voice of reason when it comes to running.

Many whippets will keep running until they physically can’t anymore.

Which is extremely dangerous.

Some things to look out for when running with your whippet is if their skin becomes warm to touch, if they have a dry mouth and nose, or if they’re excessively drooling.

These are all signs of heat exhaustion and you should stop running, find shade and give them a drink of water if you notice any of them.

Not Running Too Soon After a Meal

Running directly after a big meal is dangerous for all dogs.

No matter how healthy and in shape they are.

If your whippet goes for a run shortly after a large meal they are at risk of becoming bloated.

Which is much more serious for dogs and requires surgery to fix it.

The medical term for this is Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome (GDV).

Water is fine to give in small amounts while they’re running but make sure to always wait to go for a run with your whippet if they’ve just eaten a big meal.

Injuries

Like with all physical activities, there’s a risk of injury.

Running in particular is one of the most strenuous on both people and dog’s bodies.

It’s hard on bones as well as joints.

Your whippet could also fracture or possibly break a bone, burn their foot pads, develop arthritis/joint pain earlier in life, or even lameness in their legs.

The best thing you can do to prevent these types of injuries is making sure your whippet is warmed up before starting your run.

Start with a walk to get the juices flowing and gradually increase the speed.

Also, don’t push your whippet too far before they’re ready to run the long distances you’re wanting to run.

5 Tips To Help Keep Your Whippet Safe When Running With You

1) Harness > Collar

When it comes to running with your whippet you want to make sure there’s nothing that could negatively affect their breathing.

You know how much each breath counts while out for a run.

Which is why attaching your leash to a harness is a much better choice over a collar.

While they’re still required to wear a collar for identification purposes, you should have them wear a harness as well.

Then attach your leash to the harness.

This will help make sure any accidental pulling pressure from your whippet is distributed across their chest as opposed to directly on their throat.

It can also serve as another layer if you’re running in the evening or early in the morning and it’s a little chilly outside.

Also, many harnesses have special little compartments you can put things in if you’re not wearing a backpack.

Related Reading: Dog Harnesses Fully Explained (Are They Cruel?)

2) Get The ‘OK’ From Your Vet

Speaking with your vet and having them take a look at your pup before starting to run with them is always a good idea.

No matter their age, getting a quick check up to ensure they’re safe to start running with you is important.

They may also have some additional recommendations for running with your whippet to ensure it’s the best experience possible.

3) Work Your Way Up

The saying walk before you run definitely applies here.

In the sense that you should make sure your pup is comfortable running a shorter distance before taking them on a long run.

If you’re just starting to pick up running yourself then the natural progression of how far you can run will likely be completely fine with your whippet.

But if you’re already a seasoned runner you want to make sure you don’t take your pup for a longer run than they can handle when starting out.

4) Always Be Prepared

It’s important to make sure you have basic supplies when going for a run.

While it’s not super necessary to bring water or treats if you’re going for a shorter run.

Once you start increasing the distance you always want to make sure you have water for your pup as well as some treats if you take a break at any time.

Another good thing to have on you is your phone.

If anything were to happen where your whippet injured themselves or got overheated and you needed to be picked up, having your phone would be a saving grace.

Safety first.

And of course poop bags are always a must as well when out with your pup.