Whippets have unexpectedly become one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK, having seen a surge in popularity.

The breed is loved by celebrities including Gemma Collins, Jennifer Saunders and Kit Harington.

And they have become prize winners too: in 2025, an Italian whippet was also named best in show at Crufts, setting the stage for an influx of the breed into homes across the country. 

In the first quarter of 2026, 727 new whippets were registered, an 18 per cent rise from last year and making the breed the 11th most popular in the UK.

And the breed once dubbed 'the poor man's racehorse' and mainly kept only by farmers is increasingly now being seen as a family pet.

But experts have warned that owning a whippet is not straightforward. 

Dog behaviour expert Harry Holden said that whippets can be 'lovely dogs' but warned potential owners that they needed to take training seriously 'from day one'.

Mr Holden, founder of the London-based dog training company Holdens Hounds, said the dogs are prone to chasing, which can create problems in big cities.

He said: 'Whippets are sighthounds, so recall is something that owners really need to take seriously from day one.

'Young whippets can be very excitable and quite sensitive dogs. Obviously, on social media, people see the calm side of things, but they are very clever dogs and they do learn very quickly. That can be good habits and bad habits, unfortunately.

'One of the biggest things is helping them to learn how to stay calm and not be constantly excited.

'Sighthounds, once they see something, they will go and they are pretty quick. In London or other cities, that can be a challenge.

'People need to understand the breed and be realistic about training.

'I wouldn't describe them as a difficult breed but they do benefit from early training. A lot comes down to an individual owner, whether they are prepared to put the time into training and routine.'

Mr Holden said the breed is not considered aggressive, but can develop behavioural problems through poor socialisation.

Issues can also develop from overexcitement or separation anxiety.

He added: 'In my experience, most issues with whippets come from overexcitement, a bit of anxiety or chase instincts, rather than active aggression.

'They also form really close bonds with their owners, a lot of it is owners accidentally creating clinginess without meaning to, early on.

'In my business, we have certainly seen that a lot post-COVID, with dogs that are three or four years old that can't be left alone.

'The key is teaching them at an early age.'

Adriana, a YouTuber and owner of six prize-winning whippets, warned why the breed may not be the best for every owner.

She said that whippets are not very obedient, suffer from separation anxiety and can struggle to cohabit with other dogs or animals. 

She said: 'Sighthounds have been bred to be let loose on a field or a desert to catch prey without taking directions from people. They make their own decisions and don't need you. 

'If you want a dog that will not question you, the whippet is a bad idea.

'If you are the type of person that is not very patient, that wants everything to happen fast, the whippet is not your type of dog.'

Adriana suggested that the dogs would not cope well with separation and advised against owners who had a busy lifestyle.

She said: 'Whippets want to be around you and feel your presence as long as possible. Leaving them alone for hours and hours every single day is far from ideal. It can cause them anxiety, destructive behaviours and an overall unhappy dog with compromised welfare.'

The issue, she added, cannot be solved by leaving them at kennels or with relatives for the day.

She said whippets that had been left by their owners were 'some of the most depressed dogs I have ever seen'.

Adriana added that the breed can struggle to live alongside other dogs or other animals 

'It is in their nature to chase and catch other small animals. That is what they were bred to do.

'If you have rabbits, parrots or any other tiny pets that could become a victim, this dog is not for you.

'Cats are doable, they are great at standing their ground.' 

She said not all other dogs can handle their energy levels and play styles, which means they can struggle to gel with other pets.

Advice given to owners by the animal welfare organisation PETA also warned about separation anxiety among whippets.

A spokesperson for the organisation wrote: 'One thing all whippets have in common is that they are high-energy and need lots of stimulation and attention. 

'They’re also prone to anxiety, including separation anxiety. Looking after such a dog is a huge commitment requiring much patience and time, that’s why some people who purchase whippets on a whim end up abandoning them. 

'Just because they might look “sweet” or be “in fashion” doesn’t make a whippet the right fit for your lifestyle.'

It also warned that the dogs are prone to health issues, which can lead to soaring vet bills for owners.

The breed is prone to eye issues, congestive heart failure, immune system issues as well as skin and paw problems.

They added: 'The physical and mental health issues “designer” dogs face can mean they must visit the vet more often. This can also mean spending more money on their care – from buying thunder jackets to calm them to paying dog walkers to keep them entertained.'