Whippet Husky Mix: A Complete Mix Profile With Pictures

The whippet husky mix is a mix between a whippet and a Siberian husky.

At first glance, this is a strange mix. The parent breeds seem very different. In this case, opposites attract.

The whippet husky, or hippet, seems to take the best characteristics from both their parents. The result is a pooch that is great for families, athletic yet calm, and surprisingly friendly and gentle. 

Quick Profile

Before we get into the specifics of the whippet husky mix, let’s take a quick look at the basics.

Be sure to read below to learn more about this adorable pooch.

  • Other Names: Whippet husky, Hippet
  • Average Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
  • Average Height: 19-23 inches
  • Average Weight: 30 to 50 pounds
  • Coat appearance: Medium length, thick, variety of colors
  • Activity Level: Medium to high
  • Grooming Frequency: Once a week, daily when shedding
  • Typical Temperament: Affectionate, loyal, friendly, playful, independent, intelligent
  • Daily Food Consumption: 1 – 1 3/4 cups a day
  • New Owner Friendly: Can be difficult, more suitable for new owners than husky
  • Suitable to live with children? Yes
  • Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes
  • Suitable to live with cats? Yes, if socialized early. Both parent breeds have a high prey drive

Appearance

The appearance of a mixed breed can be difficult to predict.

They will naturally inherit characteristics from both parent breeds, which means their appearance can vary greatly.

In fact, even puppies from the same litter can look very different, depending on the traits they inherit.

The whippet husky mix above, for example, takes on most of the characteristics of the husky.

Other whippet husky mixes take on more of the whippet look, as you can see below.

To get a better idea of what a whippet husky mix looks like, let’s take a look at their parent breeds to see what features they can inherit.

Siberian Husky Appearance

The Siberian husky is from Siberia.

They have a wolf-like coat and appearance. They were originally bred to pull sleds across the arctic, so they have a thick double coat to keep them warm.

They have an elongated head and a long muzzle, as per the AKC standard.

They sport triangle-shaped upright ears, and a long bushy tail.

They have graceful and athletic body lines, which can be seen even with their generous coat. They are slightly longer than they are tall.

A Siberian Husky looking to the left panting

Their eyes can be brown, blue, or rarely, green.

Heterochromia, or bi-colored eyes, is also common in the breed. This means they can have one brown eye and one blue one.

They can be a variety of coat colors, including:

  • White
  • Gray
  • Black
  • Tan
  • Sable (red with black-tipped hairs)
  • Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
  • Tan

Most are bi-color, which means their coat is two different colors. They can also have three coat colors. Solid-colored huskies exist, but they are rare.

Whippet Appearance

The whippet is very graceful and athletic. They look similar to a greyhound.

Like the greyhound, they were bred for running. They are considered a sight hound and were originally used to hunt small game, including rabbits and birds.

A whippet wearing a green collar

They have short coats, which allows their lithe body to be seen. They are well-muscled and have deep chests. Their tail is long and narrow.

Like the husky, there are many possible coat colors. They can be either solid colored or bi-colored.

Potential whippet colors and patterns include:

  • Fawn
  • White
  • Red
  • Tan 
  • Cream
  • Black
  • Blue/gray
  • Brindle
  • Sable

Average Size

The whippet husky mix is a medium-sized breed. They will reach 19-23  inches tall, and weigh 30 to 50 pounds.

Like the parent breeds, females will be a bit smaller than males. Huskies grow to 20 to 23 inches tall and weigh 35 to 60 pounds.

The whippet is a bit smaller. They stand 18-22 inches tall, and weigh 18 to 48 pounds.

Coat Appearance

You can expect a whippet husky mix to inherit a coat somewhere in between the parent breeds.

They will likely have the double coat of a husky. The coat may be a bit shorter than a husky, but longer than a whippet coat.

When it comes to colors, they can be any of the colors of the parent breeds.

Potential coat colors and patterns include:

  • Fawn
  • White
  • Gray/blue
  • Red
  • Tan
  • Cream
  • Black
  • Brindle
  • Sable 

Like their parent breeds, they can be solid colored, bi-colored, or rarely, tri-colored.

Physical Features

Your whippet husky mix will be a mix of the two parents’ features.

They will typically have an athletic body. They may have the long neck and slim body of the whippet.

They will be well-muscled. They will have a long muzzle, like the parent breeds.

Their ears may be erect, like a husky, or hang down, like a whippet. Their nose can be black or brown. Their eyes can be brown, blue, or bi-color.

Grooming Guide

The whippet husky mix is easier to groom than a husky, but a little more work than a whippet.

Because they usually inherit a husky’s double coat, they will shed a lot more than usual in the spring and fall.

Before we discuss how to groom a whippet husky, let’s take a look at the tools you’ll need to groom them.

Grooming Tools

There are a few tools you’ll need to groom a whippet husky mix. Some of these tools will depend on the type of coat your pooch inherits.

  • Slicker brush (good for husky-type coat)
  • Undercoat rake (good for husky type coat, double coat)
  • Pin brush (good for medium-length or whippet-type coats)
  • Bristle brush (good for all coats)
  • Nail trimmers
  • Dog shampoo

Brushing Your Husky Whippet Mix

You’ll need to brush your whippet husky mix once or twice a week. When they are shedding, you’ll need to brush them daily, or at least every other day.

Most whippet huskies have a medium coat. You can use a pin brush to remove tangles and shed hair, and then use a bristle brush to smooth their coat.

You’ll also need an undercoat rake, particularly when they are shedding.

If they have a shorter coat, you can use a pin brush, and then a bristle brush to finish grooming their coat.

If they inherit a husky coat, you’ll need to use a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake. Then you can use a bristle or pin brush for finishing.

Nail Trimming

Huskies don’t usually need nail trimming, because their high activity level allows them to wear down naturally.

However, whippets typically need their nails trimmed once every 3-4 weeks.

You’ll need to trim your whippet husky’s nails when they are nearly touching the floor when they walk.

They may need to be trimmed once every 1 to 2 months, depending on their environment and activity level.

Bathing

Huskies are great self groomers, and only need a bath every 3-4 months. Whippets, on the other hand, need a bath about once a month.

You can bathe a whippet husky mix about once every 6 to 12 weeks. If they get very dirty, feel free to bathe them sooner.

However, you should avoid bathing them too often, because it can dry out their delicate skin.

It’s a good idea to use a dog shampoo designed for sensitive skin as well. Avoid using shampoos made for humans, because these can irritate their skin.

When bathing them, it’s a good idea to put cotton balls into their ears.

This prevents water, which can be problematic, from getting into their ears.

Temperament

Both parent breeds are independent. Huskies get along well with other dogs and strangers.

Whippets are tolerant of strangers, but they aren’t as friendly as a husky.

Your whippet husky may be a bit aloof with new people, but they are highly affectionate with their family. They should also be friendly with acquaintances.

They are very gentle, particularly with children. They love to play, which is another reason they are great with families.

Whippets are typically more laid back than huskies, and this trait will likely be inherited by the whippet husky mix.

They are always up for exercise or play, but they are also happy to relax with their family as well.

Both parent breeds have a very high prey drive. If you plan to have smaller animals, like cats, in the home, you’ll need to socialize them with them early.

If they meet cats as a puppy, they will view them as equals. If not, they will see smaller animals as prey. This can lead them to chase, or even harm, a cat due to their natural instincts.

Both parent breeds do have a stubborn streak. While they love their owners, they don’t have a high desire to do things just to please them.

When training them, treats are a great reward. This helps motivate them to follow your commands.

Their independent attitude means they can be challenging for new owners, although the whippet does mellow the husky temperament a bit.

You’ll need to be confident, calm, and consistent to own this pooch.

If you are inexperienced, you should consider obedience classes early on.

Health

Both parent breeds are relatively healthy, but they are prone to some health problems.

Mixed breeds are often considered healthier than their purebred counterparts, but they are still at risk of some health issues common in their parents.

Eye problems

Both parent breeds are prone to a few eye issues. One of these is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA.

This causes the dog to go blind and is usually diagnosed between 2-3 months in puppies and 3 to 9 years in adult dogs.

They can also develop cataracts, particularly in old age.

Cataracts cause a film to form over the eye. While this isn’t painful, it does interfere with their vision.

Bloat

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) can occur in any breed, but it’s more common in some breeds, including the whippet and the husky.

Bloat occurs when air accumulates in the stomach.

If the gas isn’t released, the pressure can cause the stomach to twist, which is often fatal.

Bloat can be fatal within a few hours of symptoms beginning, so prompt veterinary care is essential.

Signs of bloat include a swollen or bloated stomach, gagging or retching without productive vomiting, and severe stomach pain.

Hypothyroidism

Whippet huskies, like their parent breeds, are prone to hypothyroidism.

The thyroid is responsible for metabolism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is underactive.

This can cause unexplained weight gain, lethargy, skin problems, and hair loss.

Allergies

Both parent breeds are prone to skin allergies.

This can be caused by environmental allergens, including mold, grass, pollen, and dust. Symptoms include itching, frequent licking or scratching, hair loss, and skin lesions.

Whippet huskies can be prone to food allergies as well.

Common food allergies include beef, chicken, eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, and corn. Food allergies can cause skin allergy symptoms.

They may also experience a runny nose, sneezing, coughing or wheezing due to allergies.

Arthritis

Whippet husky mixes can develop arthritis, particularly as they age.

Arthritis can cause pain, joint stiffness, and inflammation or swelling. This may be worse in the morning, or after a  period of rest.

The good news is that these pups have a low risk of hip dysplasia, common in many medium to large breeds.

Exercise Needs

Both the whippet and the husky are energetic and athletic dogs that are built for speed. Huskies can reach speeds of 30 mph, and run up to 150 miles in a single day.

Whippets can run up to 35 mph. However, they are sprinters, and can’t cover the long distances a husky can.

Given the athleticism of the parent breeds, you can expect your husky whippet mix to need plenty of exercise.

They need at least 1 hour, and preferably 2 hours, of exercise each day. They love to run, so you should have an area where they can run off-leash.

You can also bring them on walks, runs, or hikes. They enjoy agility courses, which also provide mental stimulation.

The good news is, their whippet parent is “lazy” when they aren’t exercising.

This helps balance out the seemingly endless energy of a husky. As long as they get enough exercise, they are fairly laid back.

In addition to physical exercise, these pooches need mental stimulation.

You can provide this by teaching them new tricks or commands, games like hide and seek, tracking, and puzzle toys.

In Summary

If you are looking for a family-friendly pooch, the whippet husky mix may be a good fit.

These pooches need a lot of exercise and attention each day, so be sure you have the time to care for them before bringing them home.

They do require a strong owner, so new dog owners may struggle to manage them. With a good leader, they are trainable and fairly well-behaved.

Interested in learning more about husky mixes? Here are some of our other guides:

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Carrie! I’ve always had a special connection with nature, and animals of all shapes and sizes in particular. I’ve been a writer for nearly a decade and recently joined the Malamute Mom team. I love providing information to other dog lovers.

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