Common Diseases and Disorders
Overall, the whippet is one of the healthiest breeds. Their primary health concerns are trauma related. Whippets have long, lean bones that have a tendency to fracture. Their thin skin is also prone to lacerations.
In addition, although these occur infrequently, the following disorders have also been reported:
Congenital Hypotrichosis - is a congenital disease causing symmetrical hair loss.
Corneal dystrophy is a primary, inherited, bilateral (both sides), symmetrical condition of the cornea that is not accompanied by corneal inflammation or systemic disease.
Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to loose transparency and can result in blindness.
Lens luxation is a dislocation or displacement of the lens within the eye.
Progressive retinal degeneration (PRA) is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition can lead to blindness.
Life Span
A whippet's life expectancy is from 12 to 15 years.
We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.
