Whippet Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and More!

Purchasing a whippet is a great choice for many different types of pet owners. They are active, affectionate, and low maintenance.

Whippets check many boxes for folks looking to adopt a dog. If you’re interested in bringing a whippet home in 2024, there are a few different costs you should consider.

Puppies are a big commitment, so make sure you are ready to provide for your pup financially. This guide is a great start to understanding the costs of a whippet.

How Much Does a Whippet Puppy Cost?

The cost of a whippet can vary substantially. The primary differentiator when it comes to the cost of a puppy is the adoption site where the pup is available.

When it comes to adoption sites, the primary places you’ll find a whippet are either a shelter or through a breeder. It’s not very common to find a whippet at an adoption shelter, but if you do, this could cost between $50-$300.

Through a breeder, the cost of the whippet is likely to be between $800 and $2,500. Some highly reputable breeders charge up to $3,500. “Puppy mills,” or unethical breeders, will likely charge less for their pups because they are producing so many. Before adopting a dog from any breeder, be sure to do your research.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a Whippet

The cost of a puppy can clearly vary substantially. Other factors in determining the cost of a whippet puppy include demand and location. If there’s a large demand for the breed, or if you live in a more expensive location, it’s likely these factors will make your pup more expensive to bring home.

One way to find ethical breeders in your area is by logging on to the American Whippet Club’s Find-A-Whippet page. This website includes a map that will allow you to explore breeders in your state who are in good standing with the American Whippet Club. You can contact each breeder for rates and pup availability. You can also ask questions that ensure you’re purchasing your pet from a safe breeder. The Find-A-Whippet page is an excellent resource!

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for Whippets

Whippets are a notably healthy breed. They are generally resilient and suffer from illness and health issues far less than other breeds. However, there are still some medical expenses associated with whippets, including vaccination, reproductive surgery, and microchipping.

Cost of Vaccination

It’s important to keep your pup up-to-date on all vaccinations. When you first bring your puppy home, it’s likely that they’ll need to receive around three vaccines. These vaccines generally total around $75-100. Your dog’s vaccines will need to be updated, depending on the specific vaccine. Speak with your veterinarian about the specific costs and vaccines your pup will need.

Spaying & Neutering

If you don’t intend on breeding your pup, it’s recommended to get them spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering are important ways of ensuring safety in our four-legged friends’ community!

The cost of spaying and neutering can, again, vary a bit. While smaller dogs are generally cheaper to spay and neuter, the facility that you bring your pup to will make an impact on the cost. A low-cost clinic could charge anywhere between $25 and $250 for the procedure, while a private vet’s office could cost up to $600.

Other Medical Expenses

Whippets have a reputation as a healthy breed. This means that their medical expenses can be very low. However, all purebred dog breeds are susceptible to some medical issues, which can come with high costs. While whippets are generally healthy, there are a few medical issues that can cause issues in the breed.

Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is somewhat common in whippets. Surgery to treat hip dysplasia can cost between $4,000 to $6,000.

Cardiac disease: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in older whippets. Keep an eye on your whippet’s health with regular veterinary monitoring.

Hypothyroidism: There are a few different signs that a pup is suffering from hypothyroidism. Thankfully, once the issue is diagnosed, it can be treated with daily supplements. Hypothyroid medicine generally costs around $6 per bottle.

Bringing your puppy to the vet’s office annually is a great way to keep medical expenses down. Regular check-ups can identify health issues early on, keeping both you and your pet happy!

Another important consideration is microchipping. It costs about $25-50 to get your dog microchipped, but you’ll be glad you did. It’s an important protective measure to keep your dog safe and with their rightful owner!

Cost of Food and Supplies for Whippets

When you first bring home a whippet, you’ll need to take a big trip to the pet store. These small dogs require all the essentials: leash, bed, water and food bowls, kennel, collar, and training supplies. This first haul can cost a solid chunk of change, depending on the quality of the goods you buy.

Whippets are small dogs, which means you won’t need to be lugging home massive bags of dog food on a regular basis! Depending on the quality of the food you decide to purchase, you can pay anywhere between $15 to $50 per bag. Again, your whippet is small, so it’ll take time to get through each bag.

Another important expense for whippets is toys. They are very energetic dogs, so if you want to productively channel that energy, you’ll need to purchase new toys regularly. Whippets are a smart breed that love a challenge, so consider getting puzzle toys for your little pup! Toys generally cost under $20. Again, to keep your whippet engaged, you’ll want to change out the toy every so often.

Cost of Grooming for Whippets

Grooming for whippets is very cheap! These dogs are very low maintenance when it comes to grooming. You’ll want to purchase a brush to use occasionally on their short hair, which will likely cost under $20. Your puppy will also need a bath occasionally and can require nail clippers if they don’t wear their nails down naturally.

Overall, the expenses for grooming a whippet are extremely minimal. If you intend to show your dog, you will want to do grooming before each show, but most whippet owners will be just fine with occasional baths.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Whippet?

As of 2024, insurance costs for whippets are generally $55 per month. This depends on the exact plan you select, but you can expect to pay somewhere around fifty bucks on a monthly basis to protect your pup.

Owners can choose whether to purchase $5,000 coverage or unlimited coverage for their pet. Unlimited coverage is slightly more expensive, but if your pet has a year of substantial medical costs, it can be absolutely worth it. Be sure to look into multiple pet insurance carriers before selecting the right plan for you and your whippet.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Whippet?

Training costs can vary substantially depending on the type of training you’re doing. A group class teaching basic skills can cost $30-60 per class, with typical obedience classes being around 6 classes. Private training can, of course, cost more. Expect to pay $45-150 per hour with a private trainer. The amount of sessions with a private trainer will vary per dog. That being said, whippets are very intelligent, so you can expect them to pick up skills quickly!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Liliya Kulianionak/Shutterstock.com