Greyhound, Whippet or Custom? Choosing the Right Hidez Suit for a Sighthound

Choose the greyhound suit for a greyhound, the whippet suit for a whippet or other finer-framed sighthound, the ice version if you want cooling pockets, and the custom version only if you want your own logo on the garment. All four use the same patented graduated compression, so the decision is about frame, features and branding rather than about a different technology.

What is the difference between the greyhound suit and the whippet suit?

The difference is the pattern: the Hidez Greyhound Suit is cut for a greyhound's frame, and the Hidez Whippet Suit is cut for the whippet's smaller, finer build. Both apply pressure that is greatest at the extremities and eases towards the heart, and both come in black, blue or red. Because a compression garment only works at the pressure it was designed to apply, a suit that is too large for a lightly built dog is the wrong suit, not a looser version of the right one. That is the reason the whippet pattern exists.

How do the sizes work?

Both suits use numbered sizes in steps of two. The greyhound suit comes in nine sizes, from 26 to 42. The whippet suit comes in seven sizes, from 12 to 24. The numbers are not comparable across the two patterns, so do not use a whippet number to guess a greyhound one. Measure your dog and match the measurements to the chart on the sizing guide before ordering. If your dog falls between two sizes or has an unusual build, ask the team before you buy.

What does the ice greyhound suit add?

The Ice Greyhound Suit is a compression suit with fourteen pockets for ice packs: twelve across the four legs and two core pockets near the belly. You fill only the pockets you need, so the same suit can be worn with or without ice. It is sized by weight rather than by the numbered chart. If you are weighing it up against the standard suit, our guide to the ice compression range explains when cooling is wanted and when it is not.

When is a custom suit worth it?

A custom suit is worth it when presentation matters to you, for example a kennel, syndicate or sponsor that wants its logo on the garment. The Hidez Greyhound Suit - Custom and the Whippet Suit - Custom are the same garments with your branding added; the compression is unchanged. You upload the logo on the product page, the design team confirms the artwork and placement by email before production starts, and because each suit is made to order you should allow a longer lead time than for a standard one. If you need a dog suit fast, the standard version is the better choice.

What about dogs that are not greyhounds or whippets?

For other breeds the made-to-measure canine suit is the right starting point, because the greyhound and whippet patterns are cut for sighthound proportions. Our guide to fitting a compression suit to a dog walks through measuring and the first week of wear.

Do greyhounds need anything else for cold and wet weather?

Often, yes. A compression suit is a recovery and comfort garment, not a coat, and a lean, thin-coated dog feels cold and rain quickly. The All-Weather Greyhound Jacket Collection offers waterproof, lightweight and wax styles with fleece or Cashmeer linings, in red, black, burgundy, brown and hi-vis, cut for the deep chest and lean frame. Jackets use their own numbered sizes, from 6 to 26, which vary by style and colour, so check the options for your combination.

How do you wash and look after the suit?

Machine wash cold on a delicate cycle with mild detergent and air dry only, because tumble drying damages the compression fibres. The full routine, including what to do about snags, is in our guide to washing and caring for a compression suit.

When should you speak to a vet?

If your dog is lame, swollen, in pain, has a wound or skin problem, or seems distressed, speak to your vet before putting any garment on it. A Hidez suit is a comfort and recovery-support aid for a sound dog. It does not diagnose or treat anything and is never a substitute for veterinary care. If your vet has advised otherwise, follow that advice. Our guide to greyhound recovery after a race sets out what the first hour should involve.

The short version

Greyhound frame: the greyhound suit. Finer whippet frame: the whippet suit. Want cooling: the ice greyhound suit. Want your own branding and can wait: the custom version. Measure first, because fit is what produces the pressure, and check with your vet about anything that looks like a problem.