Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Whippets Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Whippets Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Whippets Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Whippets Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Whippets Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Whippets Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Whippets Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Whippets Easy to Train?
- Do Whippets Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Whippets Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Whippets have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Whippets Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Whippets Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Whippets Playful? What is the Energy Level of Whippets
- Conclusion on Whippet Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Whippet
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Whippet out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Whippet based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Whippet breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Whippet by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Whippet.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Whippet for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Whippet.
The summary table below shows the score of the Whippet for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Prey Drive | 85.5 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 49.0 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 48.6 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 43.2 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 42.6 percent |
| Excitability | 36.2 percent |
| Stubbornness | 34.1 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 29.6 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 26.3 percent |
| Energy Level | 26.2 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 20.7 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 19.3 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 11.6 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 10.9 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Whippet`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Whippet, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Whippet.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Whippets Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Whippets are not aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Whippet ranks very low for aggression towards strangers.
The Whippet ranks number 117 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 10.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are not aggressive towards strangers just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 12.5 % |
| 115 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 11.1 % |
| 116 | Dingo | 11.0 % |
| 117 | Whippet | 10.9 % |
| 118 | Alaskan Malamute | 10.9 % |
| 119 | Keeshond | 10.7 % |
| 120 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 9.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Whippets Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Whippets are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Whippet ranks low for aggression towards its owner.
The Whippet ranks number 76 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has an owner-directed-aggression score of 11.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Redbone Coonhound | 11.9 % |
| 74 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 11.9 % |
| 75 | Norwegian Elkhound | 11.8 % |
| 76 | Whippet | 11.6 % |
| 77 | Airedale Terrier | 11.5 % |
| 78 | Vizsla | 11.5 % |
| 79 | Havanese | 11.4 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Whippets Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Whippets are not aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Whippet ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Whippet ranks number 114 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a dog-directed aggression score of 19.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Shetland Sheepdog | 20.3 % |
| 112 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 20.1 % |
| 113 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 19.5 % |
| 114 | Whippet | 19.3 % |
| 115 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 19.3 % |
| 116 | Greyhound | 18.0 % |
| 117 | Collie | 16.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Whippets Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Whippets are a little bit fearful of strangers.
This is because the Whippet ranks low for fear of strangers.
The Whippet ranks number 80 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a stranger-directed-fear score of 20.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit stranger-fearful just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | Pug | 21.2 % |
| 78 | Pit Bull | 21.2 % |
| 79 | English Bulldog | 21.1 % |
| 80 | Whippet | 20.7 % |
| 81 | Vizsla | 20.7 % |
| 82 | Boston Terrier | 19.6 % |
| 83 | Jack Russell Terrier | 19.5 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Whippets Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Whippets are quite a bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Whippet ranks high for fear of other dogs.
The Whippet ranks number 47 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a dog-directed-fear score of 42.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit other-dog-fearful just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 43.4 % |
| 45 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 43.3 % |
| 46 | West Highland White Terrier | 42.9 % |
| 47 | Whippet | 42.6 % |
| 48 | Havanese | 42.5 % |
| 49 | Bulldog | 42.0 % |
| 50 | American Bulldog | 41.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Whippets Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Whippets are somewhat fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Whippet ranks average for non-social fear.
The Whippet ranks number 68 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a nonsocial-fear score of 29.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat nonsocial-fearful just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Afghan Hound | 30.9 % |
| 66 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 30.6 % |
| 67 | Great Pyrenees | 29.7 % |
| 68 | Whippet | 29.6 % |
| 69 | Great Dane | 28.4 % |
| 70 | Bulldog | 27.2 % |
| 71 | Belgian Tervuren | 26.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Whippets Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Whippets are a little bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Whippet ranks low on dog rivalry.
The Whippet ranks number 96 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a dog-rivalry score of 26.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit competition-driven just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 93 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 29.1 % |
| 94 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 27.4 % |
| 95 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 27.3 % |
| 96 | Whippet | 26.3 % |
| 97 | Collie | 26.0 % |
| 98 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 25.4 % |
| 99 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 25.0 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Whippets Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Whippets are somewhat easy to train.
This is because the Whippet ranks average for trainability.
The Whippet ranks number 63 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the trainability of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a trainability score of 65.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat easy to train just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 67.9 % |
| 61 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 67.0 % |
| 62 | Schipperke | 66.9 % |
| 63 | Whippet | 65.9 % |
| 64 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 65.3 % |
| 65 | Chow Chow | 64.4 % |
| 66 | West Highland White Terrier | 63.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Whippet is and how the intelligence of the Whippet affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Whippet is.
Do Whippets Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Whippets are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Whippet ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.
The Whippet ranks number 6 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a chasing score of 85.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ibizan Hound | 95.8 % |
| 4 | Parson Russell Terrier | 88.7 % |
| 5 | Borzoi | 87.0 % |
| 6 | Whippet | 85.5 % |
| 7 | Jack Russell Terrier | 82.1 % |
| 8 | West Highland White Terrier | 82.0 % |
| 9 | Border Terrier | 81.3 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Whippets Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Whippets are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Whippet ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Whippet ranks number 73 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 48.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Brittany | 49.1 % |
| 71 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 48.8 % |
| 72 | French Bulldog | 48.7 % |
| 73 | Whippet | 48.6 % |
| 74 | Pointer | 48.1 % |
| 75 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 47.9 % |
| 76 | Redbone Coonhound | 47.8 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Whippets have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Whippets are quite a bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Whippet ranks high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Whippet ranks number 39 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a separation anxiety score of 49.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | American Bulldog | 49.9 % |
| 37 | Belgian Malinois | 49.1 % |
| 38 | Miniature Schnauzer | 49.1 % |
| 39 | Whippet | 49.0 % |
| 40 | Samoyed | 48.0 % |
| 41 | Pug | 47.8 % |
| 42 | French Bulldog | 47.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Whippets Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Whippets are very much touch-sensitive.
This is because the Whippet ranks very high for touch sensitivity.
The Whippet ranks number 24 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has a touch-sensitivity score of 43.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Poodle (Toy) | 45.7 % |
| 22 | Yorkshire Terrier | 45.7 % |
| 23 | Basset Hound | 43.9 % |
| 24 | Whippet | 43.2 % |
| 25 | Dachshund | 42.9 % |
| 26 | Alaskan Malamute | 42.2 % |
| 27 | Pit Bull | 41.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Whippets Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Whippets are a little bit hyper (excitable).
This is because the Whippet ranks low for excitability.
The Whippet ranks number 92 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has an excitability score of 36.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit excitable just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Bulldog | 37.2 % |
| 90 | Alaskan Malamute | 36.8 % |
| 91 | Golden Retriever | 36.4 % |
| 92 | Whippet | 36.2 % |
| 93 | Greyhound | 35.1 % |
| 94 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 35.0 % |
| 95 | Shih Tzu | 34.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Whippets Playful? What is the Energy Level of Whippets
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Whippets are not energetic.
This is because the Whippet ranks very low for energy level.
The Whippet ranks number 114 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 75 Whippet owners reported on the temperament of their Whippet in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Whippet has an energy-level score of 26.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Whippet are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Mastiff (English) | 29.0 % |
| 112 | Chinook | 28.0 % |
| 113 | Newfoundland | 27.6 % |
| 114 | Whippet | 26.2 % |
| 115 | Chow Chow | 23.9 % |
| 116 | Lhasa Apso | 23.7 % |
| 117 | Italian Greyhound | 23.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Whippet Temperament
The temperament of your Whippet comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Whippet is exposed to.
You cannot change your Whippet`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Whippet to.
Exposing your Whippet to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Whippet to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Whippet`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Whippet.
If you think the Whippet is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Whippets cost and Whippet puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Whippet breeders in the United States and the prices of their Whippet puppies.