Choosing a Whippet

Choosing a Whippet

By: April Metroulas

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.

     
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