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The Whippet Pitbull mix is a loving, robust blend between its two parent breeds that combine exceptional agility with a stockier frame and loyal nature. If you’re searching for a family dog that’s athletic, friendly, and most importantly, loyal, look no further than a Whippet Pitbull mix. They come in a huge variety of colors, and you’re sure to find one you fall in love with.
Let’s delve into the exact traits you can expect to see in this rare crossbreed, how to care for them, and what else you need to know before committing to one for your next pet.
Breed Overview
Height:
18–22 inches
Weight:
25–60 pounds
Lifespan:
8–15 years
Colors:
Fawn, red, blue, tan, cream, white, black, brindle, orange
Suitable for:
Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog
Temperament:
Loyal, loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, gets along with other pets
This breed is a cross between the rare racing Whippet and the sturdy, loving American Pitbull Terrier, meaning they can inherit a wide range of physical and personality traits. The Whippet is known for being an even-tempered, quiet dog with bursts of exuberant energy, so a Whippet Pitbull mix might exhibit that spirit or be more like the in-your-face affectionate Pitbull—you can see a mix of the parents even within the same litter.
Whippet Pitbull Mix Breed Puppies
Whippets are fairly rare to begin with, so you may wish to look for Whippet Pitbull litters in social media communities of Whippet devotees. Pitbulls are common enough dogs that someone in these groups is likely to have both dogs and, if you’re lucky, accidental litters of puppies. Online, you may have luck with Facebook groups or Craigslist ads, and it never hurts to take a look around the local dog park either. You may just find some friends who know where to find the Whippet Pitbull mix puppy you’re searching for. However, you do need to be careful when not purchasing from reputable breeders, but if you happen to come across a litter, that doesn’t mean those puppies don’t deserve your love.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Whippet Pitbull Mix
Whippets and Pitbulls are both very emotional dog breeds, so you’ll need to have some patience when training and raising them. Whippet Pitbull mixes develop very close attachments to their owners and can learn to read your body language, but they’re roughly average in general intelligence. That is, you won’t be contending with a dog Einstein bent on escaping your yard.
They’re laid back and love being with their people more than anything, effortlessly carving out a niche in nearly any family patient enough to understand their personality quirks.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 
Yes, Whippet Pitbull mixes can be great family dogs with proper socialization, training, and boundaries. Smaller pups that take after Whippets can make fast friends with younger kids, while larger dogs more like Pitbulls might be too rough, but it really just depends on the individual dog.
They’re also highly active dogs that need plenty of exercise. A secure yard would be ideal to help them intermittently burn off energy, but plenty of dog walks could do the trick for apartment dwellers.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Maybe. Most Whippets have a chill personality except when it comes to chasing things, though sometimes the breed has a strain of high-strung anxiety that requires patience from the owner. Pitbulls, on the other hand, have a reputation for being affectionate and loyal. Throw all these personality traits in a blender and you can come out with any number of pet-friendly personalities, but socialization plays a huge part.
It also depends on the parents. If the Pitbull parent was more brash and the Whippet parent was an amiable, calm dog, you could get anything in between. There’s never any telling until you meet the puppies and their parents, which is why meeting before you commit to a puppy is essential when buying a crossbreed.
Things to Know When Owning a Whippet Pitbull Mix
Food & Diet Requirements
These are very athletic dogs, so you don’t want to skimp on nutrition by buying cheap or grain-heavy kibble. Choose a high-quality dog food designed for your dog’s life stage, with no less than 20% protein content. These formulas also contain the recommended portions of fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and all the other trace nutrients your Whippet Pitbull mix needs to thrive.
Though your dog’s kibble provides virtually everything they need, it’s always nice to treat them to some healthy sides and treats. Dogs can enjoy fruits like apples and blueberries or veggies like sweet potato and squash. Experiment with new dog-safe ingredients to find new and healthy staples in your Whippet Pitbull’s diet.
Exercise
As we touched on, the Whippet Pitbull mix is an active breed that needs roughly an hour of vigorous exercise per day. You can crank that up or down as needed, depending on an individual dog’s capacity and desire for exercise. If your Whippet Pitbull mix is restlessly pacing or chewing up shoes, you might want to take them for more walks or schedule some impromptu playtime.
Speaking of playtime, you’ll need plenty of mental stimulation, as well as physical. We’re talking puzzle feeders like Kongs and snuffle mats, which satisfy your dog’s natural urge to dig while boosting their problem-solving abilities. The cherry on top is that they’ll be calmer in the house between outings, and you might be spared some missing shoes too.
Training
Whippet Pitbull mixes benefit greatly from early training and socialization, especially during the critical socialization window between 8 to 16 weeks. During these weeks they’ll be soaking up everything they’re exposed to, learning what’s normal, and figuring out how to be a dog. Heavier puppies that take after hefty Pitbulls need early leash training to not tug when they’re big and bulky—nip that in the bud ASAP.
Obedience is key too. You can start with your dog learning their name at first and progress to basic commands like sit, stay, and come, which are coincidentally also useful for safety purposes. For example, you want your dog to immediately come when you call them if there was a fire in your home. Some Whippet Pitbull mixes can even proceed to more complex agility work or hunting if they show an aptitude for it.
Grooming
We’re happy to report that Whippet Pitbull mixes are low-maintenance dogs as far as grooming goes. They don’t profusely shed, but they will shed minimally throughout the year. Twice a year during the spring and fall, they’ll shed a bit heavier to prepare for the upcoming hot/cold season. On average, you should expect to brush their coats once a week during these shedding seasons and once every 2 weeks otherwise.
This is already a good breed for allergy sufferers, but they’re far from hypoallergenic. To more completely capture the fur and dander that comes off their coat, we recommend using a vacuum with a HEPA-rated filter. These filters catch 99.9% of all particulates, including fur and dander, but don’t usually come cheap. Still, they’re well worth the price tag to keep a clean house.
Health and Conditions
Male vs. Female
Like most dogs, you can broadly expect male Whippet Pitbull mixes to outweigh females. Because they’re a mix, though, that’s not always the case. Females that resemble bigger Pitbulls might outgrow smaller males that look more like Whippets, for instance. It’s best to look at the parents when trying to guess how big a dog might grow because they can look like either one or a mix of the two.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Whippet Pitbull Mix
1. The Fastest Dog in the World Is a Whippet
In 2021, a Whippet named Reas broke the world record for the 100-yard dash by half a second over the previous record. Whippets as a breed usually run up to 35 miles per hour, just behind the average speed of 45 miles per hour set by Greyhounds. That means Whippet Pitbulls have some serious track and field experience built into their DNA!
2. Pitbulls Have a Turbulent Past
Pitbulls were bred from British Terriers and Bulldogs to create an agile medium-weight dog for blood sports like bear baiting and, later, dog fighting. Today, they’re better understood by many to be a loving, loyal family dog.
3. Whippets Were a Poor Man’s Greyhound
Back in the 19th century, Greyhounds were considered a hunting breed for nobility. Poorer British railway and coal workers became smitten with the more accessible Whippet, which was known as the “poor man’s racehorse” for their swift running speeds.
Final Thoughts
Whippet Pitbulls are a mix between the rugged Pitbull and the lithe Whippet and can combine the best of both parents to make spectacular family pets. However, it’s important to research the parents beforehand so you can get an idea of what personalities and physical traits they could pass down to your puppy.
Featured Image Credit: (L) tommaso lizzul, Shutterstock | (R) Chris Anabalon_Shutterstock
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