By Alayna Morland
It’s an exciting time — you’ve done your research and decided that a Whippet might be the right dog for you! Now it’s time to find a Whippet. But how do you go about doing that responsibly?
(Note: If you’re considering rescuing, ensure the rescue is reputable, rehomes responsibly, and offers lifetime support for you and your dog.)
Health Testing
Any litter you consider should have parents that have been heart-tested clear (via auscultation or Doppler) by a certified cardiologist—not just a general vet. Both the Kennel Club and Breed Council recommend heart testing before breeding.
Websites like Champdogs verify health tests, but other sites may not. Always ask the breeder for copies of these tests, which should be dated within a year of the litter’s birth.
Some breeders also eye-test the dam and sire; this must be done by a eye specialist and not a general vet.
If a breeder advertises other tests, ask to see proof and verify that the tests are relevant to Whippets. While DNA test bundles may look impressive, not all are necessary for this breed.
You may wish to consider the Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) of the litter. We’re fortunate to have an excellent resource for this: the Whippet Breed Archives, which uses Wright’s formula. This archive is more reliable than the Kennel Club’s calculator as it includes the pedigrees of dogs from abroad.
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Licensing
Occasional breeders may not need a licence.
Breeders producing multiple litters should be licensed by their local council, with the licence visible in their home.
Contacting Breeders
Once you’ve found a heart-tested litter, it’s time to contact the breeder. Breeders vary in how they assess potential owners, but generally, you should:
Introduce yourself, your lifestyle, and why you believe you’re suitable for a Whippet.
Mention the research you’ve done.
- The breeder may respond with a detailed questionnaire or arrange an in-depth phone call covering:
- Your home environment and garden.
- Your family life and work schedule.
- Your ability to commit to raising a puppy.
- Be honest. This helps the breeder determine if you’re a good fit and which puppy suits you best.
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Preferences: Sex & Colour
Sex: Both males and females make loving pets. Health and temperament should be your top priorities.
Colour: Puppies’ colours change colours as they grow, puppies can look blue when they are born but are actually fawn, stripes may not visible on brindles and colours can lighten significantly.
Blues are commonly requested but aren’t rare—about 12% of Whippets are blue. Reputable breeders may avoid breeding blues due to concerns about irresponsible buyers.
Important: Whippets cannot genetically be “merle.” Be wary of anyone advertising this colour.
You can read more about colour genetics in whippets here…
https://whippetbreedcouncil.com/resources/
Breeders Homing Process
Your breeder should outline:
- Visits: When and how they occur. You should meet the dam and entire litter. The sire may belong to another person, but information should be available about him.
Home suitability checks: Photos, videos, or an in-person visit. - Advice: On feeding, worming, and general care.
- Deposits: Some breeders do not ask for a deposit. If they do, understand the terms, timing, and conditions.
- Visiting: What age the breeder thinks visiting is best – based on Mum and how advanced the puppies are. Some Mum’s are ready for visitors sooner then others and some puppies are more advanced earlier.
- Puppy allocation: How they decide which puppy goes to which home and when they decide this, their personalities really start to come out from 4 weeks of age.
- Kennel Club endorsements: Most breeders endorse puppies against breeding. You should sign a form acknowledging this.
- Breeder background: Experience, reasons for breeding, and any mentorship they receive if they have less experience.
Staying in Touch
- Between confirming your interest and your visit:
- Keep in regular contact.
- Breeders may add you to a Facebook or WhatsApp group or provide individual updates.
- You should feel free to ask questions at any stage.
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What to Expect on Your Visit
The breeder’s home:
Should be clean, safe, and functional for dogs (it may not be perfect but dog friendly!)
You should be able to meet the other dogs in the home (this may be away from the Mum and puppies)
Meeting the Dam and Litter
Puppies should be confident, friendly, and plump with clean coats and short nails.
Bedding should be fresh, and puppies should have toys and enrichment.
Puppies should be socialised with people and the breeder’s older dogs.
Spend as much time as you need; you shouldn’t feel rushed.
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Puppy Development (from 5 weeks onwards)
Early housetraining should begin (weather permitting).
Puppies should be desensitised to household sounds and start separation anxiety training.
Additional Checks
- The breeder should request home/garden images or conduct a home check.
- They should be able to answer your questions or consult a mentor if needed.
- There should be no pressure to make an immediate decision.
Important:
Don’t “rescue” a puppy by buying from an irresponsible breeder. Report them instead.
Taking on two puppies at once is strongly discouraged. Raising one puppy at a time is crucial to avoid issues like sibling syndrome. Train and settle your first puppy before considering another, ideally leaving at least a year between them.
Collecting Your Puppy
Your breeder should provide:
- Microchipping: Legally required and usually transferred to you.
- Kennel Club registration and paperwork.
- Pedigree certificate: Can be from the Whippet Breed Archives, created by the breeder, or purchased from the Kennel Club.
- Puppy contract: Review and agree to terms in advance.
- Veterinary health check certificate.
- Receipt: Proof of ownership.
- Insurance: Kennel Club-registered puppies come with 5 weeks’ free cover.
- Puppy pack: Should include familiar food; often includes toys, treats, and a scent blanket.
- Support: Your breeder should offer lifetime support as required and should offer to take your puppy back at any time during his or her life with no judgement.