If you've been seeing more whippets on your morning walk lately, you're not imagining it. The Kennel Club has just released its latest registration figures and whippets are officially on the rise, up 18% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, and now sitting inside the top 15 most registered pedigree dogs in the UK.
It's not entirely surprising. The whippet won Best in Show at Crufts in 2025, which always gives a breed a boost, but their growing popularity goes beyond a trophy. They've built a reputation as one of the most genuinely adaptable dogs around, fast enough to satisfy anyone who likes an active life, but equally happy to spend most of the afternoon folded up on the sofa. They work in flats, they work in houses with gardens, they're gentle with children and they tend to be easy to live with in a way that some higher-maintenance breeds simply aren't.
Retrievers continue to hold the top spots in the registrations, which will surprise nobody, but the movement lower down the rankings suggests that people are increasingly looking beyond the obvious choices.
So if you're thinking a whippet might be the one, here's a bit more of what you're actually signing up for.
What whippets are like to live with
Fast. Genuinely fast, they're sighthounds and if they spot something interesting in the distance, they will be gone before you've finished the sentence. Lead and recall training early on is not optional. Once they've burned that energy though, they switch off completely and become what many owners describe as the world's most committed sofa companions.
They're affectionate and loyal but can be a little shy with strangers, which means early socialisation makes a big difference. They're not a breed that demands constant stimulation or gets destructive out of boredom the way some working breeds can, but they do need a couple of good walks a day.
One practical thing worth knowing: whippets have very little body fat and a thin single-layer coat, which means they feel the cold more than most dogs. A dog coat for winter walks is not a fashion statement with a whippet, it's actually useful.
What about their health
This is one of the genuinely good news parts of getting a whippet. They're considered one of the healthier pedigree breeds, without the exaggerated features or the long list of hereditary conditions that affect some other popular breeds. Average vet costs per claim tend to be relatively modest compared to many pedigrees, and their lean athletic build doesn't carry the joint problems that heavier breeds are prone to.
That said, there are a few things to be aware of. Progressive retinal atrophy, which is a gradual deterioration of the retina that can eventually affect vision, does occur in whippets. It's not painful but it is something responsible breeders should be testing for. Heart conditions and sensitivity to anaesthesia are also noted in the breed, the latter being relevant if your whippet ever needs surgery, so making sure your vet knows this is worth doing from day one.
Their thin skin means cuts and grazes from running through hedges or catching themselves on something are fairly common. Nothing dramatic, but it's worth knowing.
What to think about from an insurance point of view
Because whippets are generally healthy, they're among the less expensive pedigree dogs to insure. But that's not an argument for skipping it or going for the most basic cover available. It's an argument for insuring them early, while they're healthy and before anything has been noted on their vet records, and making sure you have a policy that will cover ongoing conditions properly if something does develop.
If you're buying a puppy, ask the breeder about health testing and get the paperwork. A good breeder will have it. Insure your puppy as soon as you bring them home rather than waiting, because once a vet has seen and noted anything at all, that can affect what a new policy will and won't cover.
The Kennel Club's full breed registration data is available on their website if you want to see where all the breeds currently sit in the rankings.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Always read your insurer's policy wording and claims information before buying or renewing cover.