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View 8 More +A cross between the Whippet and a Labrador Retriever, few mixes present such a unique appearance and mixture of two completely different breeds. Still, while they might be different in quite a few ways, they make a great combination when you bring them together!
Breed Overview
Height:
19–24 inches
Weight:
35–70 pounds
Lifespan:
11–15 years
Colors:
White, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, black
Suitable for:
Active families, families with other pets, and those with fenced-in yards
Temperament:
Loyal, loving, intelligent, friendly, social
The Whipador is a cross between the Whippet and the Labrador Retriever, which might seem like an unusual mix at first, but both breeds feature plenty of interesting and desired traits. Both dog breeds are incredibly loving and loyal and do great with kids and other pets, making them an excellent choice for plenty of homes.
Just know that while they’re loyal and loving, they’re also high energy, so ensure you have plenty of space and time for them before you bring one into your house.
Whipador Characteristics
Whipador Puppies
The Whipador can be extremely tough to track down. Often, a Whipador is an accident, born when a purebred Whippet accidentally breeds with a purebred Labrador Retriever.
While it’s not easy to find a Whipador breeder, it’s not impossible, so do your research and see if you can’t track one down. You can also find many Whipador mixes in shelters. Just keep in mind that these generally won’t be purebred Whipadors. They’re still great pups, but they might have a few other characteristics from other breeds you’ll need to be aware of.
Whipador puppies are very much like other puppies, but they generally have even more energy, so unless you have an outdoor space for them to run around, they can be quite challenging to own and care for.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Whipador
The Whipador might not be the absolute smartest dog out there, but they’re no slouch, either. They’re full of energy, but they’re also extremely smart, and with their eagerness to please, you can usually train them to complete a ton of tasks.
However, if they take after their Whippet side a bit more, they might have a slight stubborn streak. It’s nothing you can’t overcome with a little consistency. Overall, they’re great dogs with a sweet and loving temperament.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Both the Labrador Retriever and the Whippet are great family dogs, so it’s no surprise that the Whipador is an outstanding family dog, too. Whether you have smaller children or teenagers at home, the Whipador is a wise choice to welcome to the family.
They also tend to get along with everyone, and they want attention from everyone in the home, so as long as everyone is showering them with affection, they’ll give you attention right back.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
If you already have other pets in your home, a Whipador is generally a good choice. Both the Labrador Retriever and the Whippet generally get along great with other pets, so it really doesn’t matter which parent breed they take after.
Just keep in mind that each dog does have its own personality, but early socialization goes a long way in ensuring they get along with all the pets in your home.
Things to Know When Owning a Whipador
While the Whipador is generally a pretty straightforward dog to care for, there are a few things you should know before you bring one home. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted all the basic care requirements you should know about before bringing one home.
Food & Diet Requirements
Because the size of a Whipador can vary quite a bit, so can the amount you need to feed them. A Whipador that weighs 35 pounds eats roughly 2.5 cups of dry kibble, while a 70-pound Whipador generally eats about 3.5 cups of dry kibble.
If you go with a high-quality kibble, it should cost you somewhere between $40 and $65 a month. Wet food will cost you a bit more, generally ranging between $100 and $150 a month, while fresh food costs even more between $200 and $300 a month.
Exercise
Both the Labrador Retriever and the Whippet are extremely energetic dogs, which means the Whipador is going to be a high-energy breed, too. They need quite a bit of space to run around, and because of their size, a fenced-in yard makes this much easier.
However, even with that, they need at least two walks a day, and you should aim for about a mile for each walk. They’re high-energy breeds, and unless you meet their exercise requirements, you’re inviting potential destructive boredom behaviors.
Training
The Labrador Retriever is one of the easiest pups to train out there, so your Whiapdor takes after them, you should be able to train them without too many problems. And while the Whippet might not be quite as easy to train as a Labrador Retriever, they’re still highly trainable dogs.
Remain consistent and aim for one training session a day, and each training session should only last about 15 minutes.
Grooming ✂️
While the Whippet and the Labrador Retriever both shed, neither dog is the worst shedder around. If you take the time to brush them out each day, you should be able to keep their shed to a minimum, and their coats will generally not mat up.
In addition to brushing them each day, you need to brush their teeth daily and trim their nails as needed to properly care for them.
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Health and Conditions
The Whipador is usually a pretty healthy dog breed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things for you to keep an eye out for. You can also significantly reduce the risk of your dog developing these conditions if you get them from a reputable breeder and they have healthy parents.
- Allergies
- Eye defects
- Pancreatitis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing syndrome
- Heart disease
- Epilepsy
Male vs Female
Generally, there isn’t much of a difference between a male and female Whipador. However, if you get a male from the same litter, they’re generally a bit larger than females. But if you get them from different litters, you never know which parent they’re going to take after, meaning the females could be larger than expected.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Whipador
1. They’re Very Playful
Both the Labrador Retriever and the Whippet are extremely playful dogs, so no matter which parent breed a Whipador takes after, they’re going to have a very playful nature.
2. They Can Run Extremely Fast
The Whippet is one of the fastest dogs on the planet, with the ability to reach top speeds of 35 miles per hour. While a Whipador isn’t quite that fast, they’re far from slow.
3. Whipadors Are Extremely High Energy
If you want a high-energy dog, it’s tough to top a Whipador. They need lots of space to run around and spend their energy; otherwise, it’s likely that you’ll have to deal with destructive boredom behavior. They’re great dogs, but just know they’re going to run around quite a bit.
Conclusion
While the Whippet and the Labrador Retriever might not seem like two breeds that make sense to bring together, that doesn’t make them any less of an adorable dog. The truth is that with great personalities that complement each other, the Whipador is an outstanding choice to welcome into your home. They have a unique appearance for sure, but they’re great family dogs and have lots of fun energy. If you have plenty of space for them, they might be the perfect dog for you and your family.
See also:
- Chi Whip (Whippet Chihuahua Mix): Pictures, Care, Info & More
- Whiphund (Whippet Dachshund Mix): Pictures, Care, Info & More
Featured Image Credit: Foonia, Shutterstock
