Puppies
The best way to exercise a Whippet puppy is off lead. This helps build muscle in a balanced, natural way and supports healthy joint development. This should be done in a secure dog park or other safely enclosed space until recall is properly established. Use your common sense, especially with dogs you meet out and about or if yours is new to the outside world.
A good rule of thumb for Whippet puppies is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day. So at 3 months, 15 minutes twice a day; at 4 months, 20 minutes twice a day and so on.
Off lead time can be a bit more flexible, but always avoid overdoing it. Let them play, explore, and rest.
To become well-rounded adults, puppies also need to be exposed to the sights and sounds of life in urban areas so that early on, they become used to the volume of people and traffic they are likely to encounter at various times in their lives.
Adults
Once fully grown, most Whippets will be happy with one hour of exercise a day. This can be split into two walks or done in one go. If they have access to a good-sized, secure garden, they often manage very well with a single daily walk and some time outdoors.
Some active homes do go out for longer periods – Whippets can cope with that too, but it’s important to build them up gradually if that’s what you want to do. Jumping straight into long hikes or hard walks can lead to strains or fatigue, especially if they’re not used to it. Even as an adult, it is recommended any off lead exercise should be in a safe area – far from busy roads, cliff edges, livestock, or anything else which poses a risk.
Road and Hard Surface Walking
Walking on roads or pavements should be done carefully while your Whippet is still growing. Hard surfaces are tough on young joints, growth plates, and soft tissue. If your puppy pulls on the lead, they can develop uneven muscle, and long periods on hard paths are rough on their pads. In some cases, this can make them more susceptible to problems like corns later on.
You can use the same 5 minutes per month rule for road or pavement walks, but where possible, choose softer surfaces or off lead time as the better option.
Summer Ground Conditions
In summer, when the ground becomes dry and baked, make sure off lead areas are still suitable. Avoid ground with deep cracks or hardened soil – Whippets can injure themselves at speed. Look for soft, springy grass and adjust your walk length if needed. If your local beach is dog friendly and relatively quiet, your Whippet will love doing zoomies on the soft sand.
