Whippet Grooming

A Whippet has a short-haired, thin coat that requires relatively little care overall. See below for further details on maintaining the Whippet coat, including info on brushing, bathing, and treatment of minor cuts and scrapes.

This breed's short, thin coat makes Whippet grooming a snap. These dogs don't shed too much, and their coats are in reality too short-haired to mat or tangle, so a weekly brushing should be plenty. Baths are only necessary periodically, unless the dog gets especially dirty. And Whippets don't need haircuts at all.

To brush: a rubber curry brush is best (though a rubber grooming glove will work as well). First wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle, then go over the coat section by section, brushing in the same direction as hair growth.

If you're following the brushing with a bath, first give the dog a good brushing (and most breeds should be brushed prior to bathing), then bathe the dog either in a bathtub with a rubber mat, or use an outdoor kiddie pool and a garden hose. It should be noted that Whippets aren't big fans of water, so breed members may be skittish about baths at first (though they generally get used to them in time). Use canine shampoo, as the human kind can easily irritate a Whippet's skin beneath its thin coat. First wet the coat thoroughly, then apply a quarter-sized amount of shampoo to the dog's back; lather well, working downward as you go (and don't forget the legs!). Finish with the head, making sure to keep suds away from the eyes. Rinse until the water running through the coat turns clear, towel-dry, then give the dog another quick brush-through to make the coat look neat and clean.

Because their coats are thin (as is their skin), Whippets are more susceptible to skin cuts and scrapes than other dog breeds. Be sure to check your Whippet's skin regularly, particularly if the dog runs or plays in areas where thorny plants grow. Treat minor injuries with a first-aid kit; for major cuts or scrapes, see a veterinarian immediately.

Do Whippets smell? Like any breed, they can--especially if they roll in something dirty or stinky! In these cases, an "emergency bath" is in order, but in general, a Whippet will only need bathing every 4-5 months.

It's important when bathing a Whippet to use shampoo made for dogs, as the human kind has a different pH and can irritate the dog's skin. The best shampoo for a Whippet includes brands like Earthbath, 4-Legger, and Pro Pet Works--all of which will make your Whippet smell, look, and feel great.

Before the bath, give the dog a good brushing. You can bathe your Whippet in either a bathtub or an outdoor plastic pool (using a garden hose as a water source). Note that Whippets aren't big fans of water, so owners may need to do some extra "coaxing" for their Whippet bath--but most dogs get used to it in time.

First wet the coat thoroughly, then apply some Whippet shampoo to the dog's back. Lather well, working downward and outward; don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail! Clean the face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat completely.

Towel-dry the dog, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.

In short, Whippet haircuts aren't required. Even so, some people like to shave their Whippet coat for various reasons (to reduce shedding, or to give the dog an "extra sleek" look). According to professional groomers, though, shaving a Whippet is never recommended.

These dogs don't shed much in the first place, and shaving the coat won't make them shed any less; the only difference is that the shed hairs would be shorter. A shaved Whippet will be also uncomfortable in weather extremes, too: it'll be much more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and will get cold very easily. (Since Whippets get chilly quickly, owning pink Whippet coats, among other colors, is a great idea anyway!)

The only reason to shave any part of a Whippet's coat is in preparation for surgery or other medical procedures. Your vet will discuss this with you further.

So to anyone considering shaving their Whippet's coat: put those clippers away!