Dog breeds / Medium breeds

What a Whippet really costs

Whippets are one of the cheapest medium-size breeds to keep: almost no grooming, modest food needs, and insurance that costs less than for a Beagle. The money risks are injuries from running at full speed and heart disease, which AKC flags as the breed's main screening concern. Sighthound-aware anesthesia and a fenced running area are the practical extras.

Size: Medium, 25–40 lb
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Grooming: Low
Insurance risk: Below average
Puppy price: $1,200–$2,500
Food a day: About 900 calories

Lifetime cost$38,500 First year $5,450Then about $2,470 a year

Where the money goes each year

A typical adult year for a Whippet with mainstream food, home grooming, no insurance, in an average-cost area. That's $520 less than the median breed.

Illness and injury (average)$553
Food$464
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$443
Checkups, vaccines and tests$330
Dental cleanings$283
Toys, beds and everyday supplies$230
Treats and chews$93
Grooming$53
License$20
Typical year$2,470

Most years land between $1,910 (budget food, home grooming, lower-cost area) and $3,460 (premium food, groomer, insurance, big city). Dogs over about 7 add about $180 a year for senior checkups.

The first year

Buying a puppy front-loads the bill: the price, gear, puppy shots and spay or neuter.

Bringing a puppy home

Breeder price$1,850
Crate, bed, leash, bowls and gear$550
Spay or neuter$490
Microchip$50
Puppy or basic obedience class$149
Upfront$3,090

Running costs in year one

Food$464
Treats and chews$93
Puppy vaccines and checkups$738
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$443
Grooming$53
License$20
Illness and injury (average)$553
Year-one running costs$2,360

First-year total: $5,450. Adopting instead brings it to about $3,100.

Health costs to plan for

MoneyGeek's 2026 table puts a young Whippet at about $33/month, cheaper than the Beagle ($35) and well below the Greyhound ($43), consistent with a relatively low-claim health profile.

Condition	How it affects Whippets	Typical treatment	Cost
Heart disease (murmurs and valve disease)	AKC lists cardiac disease among the breed's screening priorities; OFA advanced cardiac exams found 10.6% of 5,210 Whippets abnormal. Source	Echocardiogram ($500-$600 each) plus cardiologist visits and ongoing heart medication in the first year	$500–$2,500
Cranial cruciate ligament tear	Lemonade lists torn cruciate ligaments among common Whippet problems, usually showing as lameness after exercise. Source	TPLO or TTO knee surgery, per knee	$2,000–$3,000
Cataracts	Pumpkin lists eye conditions including cataracts for adult Whippets; OFA rates 2.0% of 8,545 Whippet eye exams abnormal. Source	Cataract surgery with lens implant	$2,600–$3,800
Corns (digital pad keratomas)	Embrace says sighthounds are considered highly predisposed to painful foot-pad corns. Source	Surgical removal under anesthesia, per corn	$500–$1,000

The yearly estimate already includes an average allowance of $553 for illness and injury. A single surgery can cost several times that, which is the case for an emergency fund or insurance.

What drives the cost of a Whippet

With little body fat and a fine coat, most Whippets need a coat or sweater ($30-$80) for cold-weather walks.
AKC stresses keeping Whippets lean, saying correct weight helps avoid orthopedic problems that are painful and expensive to repair.
Choose a vet comfortable with sighthound anesthesia and bloodwork; normal sighthound values can be misread and trigger extra tests.
Professional grooming is unnecessary; weekly brushing and nail trims at home cover the coat.
Off-leash running needs a securely fenced area; lure coursing clubs are a low-cost outlet for exercise.

Breeder or rescue

Reputable breeder: $1,200–$2,500
Rescue or shelter: $200–$700
Lifetime, from a breeder: $38,500
Lifetime, adopted: $36,200

iHeartDogs gives $800-$2,500 by region and Pumpkin $800-$1,500; breeders who run the cardiac, eye and BAER hearing tests AKC recommends price toward the upper half. WRAP, the American Whippet Club's rescue, charges $400-$500 for adults, $200 for seniors and $700 for unaltered pups (including a $200 refundable spay/neuter deposit).

Adopting vs buying: the full cost comparison

Similar-size breeds by yearly cost

Beagle$2,470 a year
Brittany$2,530 a year
Staffordshire Bull Terrier$2,580 a year
American Eskimo Dog$2,660 a year
Cardigan Welsh Corgi$2,700 a year
American Pit Bull Terrier$2,710 a year
Compare all breeds

Common questions

How much does a Whippet puppy cost?

A Whippet puppy from a reputable US breeder typically costs $1,200–$2,500. Adopting one through a rescue usually costs $200–$700.

How much does a Whippet cost per year?

After the first year, a Whippet costs about $2,470 a year, or $206 a month, for food, vet care, preventives, grooming, supplies and average illness costs. Depending on food, grooming, insurance and where you live, a typical year ranges from about $1,910 to $3,460.

How much does a Whippet cost over its lifetime?

About $38,500 over a 14-year life when bought from a breeder, or $36,200 if adopted, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Prices are averages from the sources above and the cost baselines on our methodology page, in 2026 US dollars. Your vet, groomer and city will differ. Updated October 14, 2026.