🧳Travelling with a Whippet: car, crate and rules

Whippet : With a head narrower than its neck, a standard flat collar slips off: choose a martingale or a wide sighthound collar (15 to 35 €), or a well-fitted harness. Only let it off lead in enclosed areas, as a Whippet tops 50 km/h within a few strides at the sight of a rabbit.

In short: Small sighthound of 44 to 51 cm and 10 to 15 kg, very fine short coat, explosive energy in short bursts followed by deep calm. A blistering sprinter outdoors, a gentle, quiet couch cat at home. With a head narrower than its neck and no fat padding: a martingale collar, a very soft bed and a belly-covering coat are its three essentials.

In the car with a Whippet

At 10 to 15 kg, the Whippet travels in a rigid crate of about 85 cm placed in the rear footwell or strapped in, or an approved carrier bag for the lightest. An unrestrained dog of this weight becomes a projectile under braking — and a possible fine for distracted driving.

Trains, planes, holidays

Too big for the cabin, the Whippet flies in the pressurised hold in an IATA-approved crate — an ordeal to reserve for unavoidable trips. On trains, a muzzle and lead meet the rules. Get it used to the crate weeks before departure: left open at home with treats inside, it becomes a den rather than a trap.

Identification and good habits

A Whippet travels chipped and vaccinated — EU passport and rabies shot whenever a border or boarding kennel is involved. And in summer, the absolute rule: never alone in the car, where temperatures turn lethal within minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What crate size for a Whippet?

The rule: roughly 85 cm, i.e. room to stand and turn without contortion. For air travel, check the specific model’s IATA approval.

Can a Whippet fly in the cabin?

No, it exceeds the cabin limit (8 kg including the bag): it travels in the pressurised hold in an IATA crate — avoid it when you can.

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