A Whippet is a small to medium-sized dog breed. They are known for their athletic build and their ability to run at high speeds. They were originally bred for hunting small game but are now commonly kept as companion dogs.
They are often referred to as “the poor man’s racehorse” due to their speed and agility. Whippets are sociable and affectionate with their owners but can be reserved with strangers. They have short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Cost of Owning a Whippet in the First Year
One of the first costs you might encounter in your first year of Whippet ownership is the cost of a spay or neuter operation.
Of course, this cost will vary slightly depending on which state you live in and if your Whippet faces any complications which lead to it needing additional treatment.
Overall, the average price of a spay or neuter procedure for a Whippet is $450 in the United States.
The next cost you will be facing in the first year with your Whippet is the cost of the initial vet visit along with the price of mandatory vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, and a dewormer.
The cost of the mandatory vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, and a deworming program is on average $450 for a Whippet.
You will also need to purchase a microchip for your Whippet which will cost around $80 including the cost of registering your details to the chip.
One of the biggest costs of owning a healthy dog is the food bill! A Whippet is a small to a medium-sized dog that should maintain a high level of muscle and a very low body fat percentage.
Whippets must not overeat as they can easily become obese or suffer from a condition called bloat. The cost of dog food for your Whippet in the first year is around $500 in the United States. Of course, if you choose to purchase premium food for your Whippet the cost can be a lot more.
Depending on what you previously owned for your Whippet you may choose to purchase accessories such as leads, collars, beds, treats, and toys.
Some Whippets are a lot more fond of toys than others so we wouldn’t suggest purchasing too many until you get to know your pup!
You can spend a lot of money on accessories for your Whippet but the average cost is around $100 in the first year.
Overall, the total cost of owning a Whippet in the first year is on average around $1,580 in the United States.
This is an average price and does not include any extra sessions with a professional dog trainer, dog groomer, or any pet boarding facilities.
Annual Cost of Owning a Whippet
Of course, you must take your Whippet to a vet each year for their annual check-up, vaccinations, and flea, tick, and deworming treatment. The cost of this vet visit for your Whippet should be $180 on average but can be a lot more depending on how much your vet charges per visit.
Your Whippet will need dog food which is one of the most variable costs to calculate in dog ownership. We will base our average price on if you were to feed your Whippet with medium-quality dog food and you were feeding the correct amount for the weight or an average-sized Whippet. The cost of dog food for a Whippet each year is on average $500.
Treats and toys are something you might consider purchasing for your Whippet. Most Whippets are pretty food driven so you might purchase treats to aid with training and some extra toys for added enrichment. The cost of treats and toys can vary a lot but on average you should expect to spend around $100 per year on treats and toys for your Whippet.
If you and your Whippet enjoy getting out in nature then you will need to purchase some poop bags for your adventures. On average the cost of dog poop bags for a Whippet is about $80 per year in the United States.
In total, you should expect to spend an average of $860 per year for your Whippet. This average price does not take into account any emergency vet bills, pet insurance, grooming, training, or dog boarding facilities.
Lifetime Cost of Owning a Whippet
The average lifespan of a Whippet is around 12-15 years. As with all breeds, genetics, and environment play a significant role in determining a Whippet’s lifespan, so the lifespan of an individual dog may vary.
Therefore, the average lifetime cost of owning a Whippet is between $11,040 and $13,620.
Whippet Puppy Price
The price of a Whippet puppy can vary depending on location, breeder, and the puppy’s lineage.
On average, a whippet puppy can range from $1000-$3000. It’s important to note that purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder with a history of healthy, well-tempered dogs may cost more, but it can also ensure that you are getting a happy and healthy pet.
You should be able to pick up a healthy Whippet puppy for $1000 but it is also a good idea to check out rescue centers as Whippets can often come up at adoption centers pretty often. If you don’t mind the extra work then adopting a dog from a rescue center can be very rewarding.
