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The Whippet Pitbull mix is a loving, robust blend of their two parent breeds and combines exceptional agility with a stocky frame and loyal nature. If you’re searching for a family dog that’s athletic, friendly, and most importantly, loyal, look no further than this hybrid. They come in a huge variety of colors, so you’re sure to find one you fall in love with.
Let’s delve into the exact traits that you can expect to see in this rare crossbreed, how to care for them, and what else you need to know before committing to one as your next pet.
Breed Overview
Height:
18–22 inches
Weight:
25–60 pounds
Lifespan:
8–15 years
Colors:
Fawn, red, blue, tan, cream, white, black, brindle, orange
Suitable for:
Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog
Temperament:
Loyal, loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, gets along with other pets
This breed is a cross between the rare racing Whippet and the sturdy, loving American Pitbull Terrier, meaning they can inherit a wide range of physical and personality traits. The Whippet is known for being an even-tempered, quiet dog with bursts of exuberant energy, so a Whippet Pitbull mix might exhibit that spirit or be more like the in-your-face affectionate Pitbull. You can see various mixes of the parents even within the same litter.
Whippet Pitbull Mix Characteristics
Whippet Pitbull Mix Breed Puppies
Whippets are fairly rare to begin with, so you may wish to start looking for Whippet Pitbull litters in communities of Whippet devotees. Pitbulls are common enough dogs that someone in these groups is likely to have both dogs and if you’re lucky, accidental litters of puppies. Online, you may have luck with Facebook groups or Craigslist ads, and it never hurts to take a look around the local dog park either. You may just find some friends who know where to find the Whippet Pitbull mix puppy you’re searching for. However, you do need to be careful if you’re not purchasing from reputable breeders, but if you happen to come across a litter, that doesn’t mean those puppies don’t deserve your love.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Whippet Pitbull Mix
Whippets and Pitbulls are both emotional breeds, so you’ll need to have patience when training and raising them. Whippet Pitbull mixes develop close attachments to their owners and can learn to read your body language, but they have roughly average in general intelligence. That is, you won’t be contending with a dog Einstein bent on escaping your yard.
They’re laidback and love being with their people more than anything, effortlessly carving out a niche in nearly any family patient enough to understand their personality quirks.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Yes, Whippet Pitbull mixes can be great family dogs with proper socialization, training, and boundaries. Smaller pups that take after their Whippet parent can make fast friends with younger kids, while larger dogs that are more like their Pitbull parent might be too rough, but it really depends on the individual dog.
They’re also highly active dogs that need plenty of exercise. A secure yard would be ideal to help them intermittently burn off energy, but plenty of dog walks could do the trick for apartment dwellers.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Maybe. Most Whippets have a chill personality except when it comes to chasing things, though sometimes the breed has a strain of high-strung anxiety that requires patience from the owner. Pitbulls, however, have a reputation for being affectionate and loyal. Throw all these personality traits in a blender, and you can come out with any number of pet-friendly personalities, but socialization still plays a huge part.
It also depends on the parents. If the Pitbull parent was more brash and the Whippet parent was an amiable, calm dog, you could get anything in between. There’s never any telling until you meet the puppies and their parents, which is why meeting before you commit to a puppy is essential when buying a crossbreed.
Things to Know When Owning a Whippet Pitbull Mix
Food & Diet Requirements
These are athletic dogs, so you don’t want to skimp on nutrition by buying cheap or grain-heavy kibble. Choose a high-quality dog food designed for your pet’s life stage, with no less than 20% protein content. The formula should also contain the recommended portions of fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and all the other trace nutrients that your Whippet Pitbull mix needs to thrive.
Although your dog’s kibble provides virtually everything that they need, it’s always nice to treat them to healthy sides and treats. Dogs can enjoy fruits like apples and blueberries or veggies like sweet potato and squash. Experiment with new dog-safe ingredients to find new and healthy staples in your Whippet Pitbull’s diet.
Exercise
The Whippet Pitbull mix is an active breed that needs roughly an hour of vigorous exercise per day. You can crank that up or down as needed, depending on an individual dog’s capacity and desire for exercise. If your Whippet Pitbull mix is restlessly pacing or chewing up shoes, you might want to take them for more walks or schedule some impromptu playtime.
Speaking of playtime, you’ll need plenty of mental stimulation, as well as physical. This can include puzzle feeders like KONGs and snuffle mats, which satisfy your dog’s natural urge to dig while boosting their problem-solving abilities. The cherry on top is that they’ll be calmer in the house between outings, and you might be spared some missing shoes too.
Training
Whippet Pitbull mixes benefit greatly from early training and socialization, especially during the critical socialization window between 8 and 16 weeks. During these weeks, they’ll be soaking up everything they’re exposed to, learning what’s normal, and figuring out how to be a dog. Heavier puppies that take after hefty Pitbulls need early leash training to not tug when they’re big and bulky—you should nip that in the bud immediately.
Obedience is key too. You can start with your dog learning their name at first and progress to basic commands like sit, stay, and come, which are coincidentally also useful for safety purposes. For example, you would want your dog to immediately come when you call them if there was a fire in your home. Some Whippet Pitbull mixes can even proceed to more complex agility work or hunting if they show an aptitude for it.
Grooming ✂️
We’re happy to report that Whippet Pitbull mixes are low-maintenance dogs as far as grooming goes. They don’t profusely shed, but they will shed minimally throughout the year. Twice a year during the spring and fall, they’ll shed a bit heavier to prepare for the upcoming hot/cold season. On average, you should expect to brush their coats once a week during these shedding seasons and once every 2 weeks otherwise.
This is already a good breed for allergy sufferers, but they’re far from hypoallergenic. To more completely capture the fur and dander that comes off their coat, we recommend using a vacuum with a HEPA-rated filter. These filters catch 99.9% of all particulates, including fur and dander, but don’t usually come cheap. Still, they’re well worth the price tag to keep a clean house.
- You might also be interested in: Best Dog Wipes
Health and Conditions
- Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataracts
- Degenerative myelopathy
Minor Conditions:
- Dysplasia: Large dogs like Pitbulls are more vulnerable to this painful arthritic joint condition, especially as they get older.
- Hypothyroidism: Whippets and their offspring may develop this hormonal problem, which causes fatigue, weight loss, and excessive thirst.
Serious Conditions:
- Cataracts: Both Pitbulls and Whippets are prone to developing cataracts later in life, eventually leading to total blindness in many cases.
- Degenerative myelopathy: This spinal degenerative condition is more common in Whippets, and it’s possible it can pass to their offspring.
Male vs. Female
Like most dogs, you can broadly expect male Whippet Pitbull mixes to outweigh females. Since they’re a mix, though, that’s not always the case. Females that resemble bigger Pitbulls might outgrow smaller males that look more like Whippets, for instance. It’s best to look at the parents when trying to guess how big a dog might grow because they can look like either one or a mix of the two.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Whippet Pitbull Mix
1. The Fastest Dog in the World Is a Whippet
In 2021, a Whippet named Reas broke the world record for the 100-yard dash by half a second over the previous record. Whippets, as a breed, usually run up to 35 miles per hour, just behind the average speed of 45 miles per hour set by Greyhounds. That means Whippet Pitbulls have serious track and field experience in their DNA!
2. Pitbulls Have a Turbulent Past
Pitbulls were bred from British Terriers and Bulldogs to develop an agile medium-weight dog for blood sports like bear baiting and later, dog fighting. Today, they’re better understood by many to be loving, loyal family dogs.
3. The Whippet Was a Poor Man’s Greyhound
Back in the 19th century, the Greyhound was considered a hunting breed for nobility. Poorer British railway and coal workers became smitten with the more accessible Whippet, which was known as the “poor man’s racehorse” for their swift running speeds.
Final Thoughts
The Whippet Pitbull is a mix between the rugged Pitbull and the lithe Whippet and combines the best of both breeds to make a spectacular family pet. However, it’s important to research the parents beforehand so you can get an idea of what personalities and physical traits they could pass down to your puppy.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: (L) tommaso lizzul, Shutterstock | (R) Chris Anabalon_Shutterstock
