Breed comparison
Greyhound vs Whippet
Greyhound or Whippet? Both are sleek, fast sighthounds that spend most of the day asleep on the couch and then sprint like a rocket. The short answer: the Whippet is the smaller, livelier and more clingy dog, while the Greyhound is bigger, more laid-back and slightly easier for a first-time owner. Both have a very strong prey drive, both feel the cold and neither should be trusted off leash outside a fully enclosed space. The choice mostly comes down to size, energy and how much dog you want on the sofa.
Photo: Neurodoc · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Winky , Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Greyhound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Height | 27–30 in (69–76 cm) | 18–22 in (46–56 cm) |
| Weight | 60–70 lb (27–32 kg) | 25–40 lb (11–18 kg) |
| Life span | 10–13 years | 12–15 years |
| Group | Hound | Hound |
| Coat | Short, smooth coat | Short, smooth, close-fitting coat |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Greyhound is the bigger dog, at 27 to 30 in (69 to 76 cm) and 60 to 70 lb (27 to 32 kg). The Whippet stands 18 to 22 in (46 to 56 cm) and weighs 25 to 40 lb (11 to 18 kg), roughly half the weight. Both score 4 out of 5 for apartment living. A Whippet is easier to lift, travel with and fit into a small car.
Energy and exercise
The Whippet scores 4 out of 5 for energy against 3 for the Greyhound, and both score 3 for exercise. VCA says a Whippet needs a daily moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, and is calm indoors when exercised. PetMD says Greyhounds have high energy and a hunting drive but do not need constant activity. Both should be leashed outdoors, with off-leash time only in a secure, enclosed space.
Coat and grooming
Both have short, smooth coats that score 1 out of 5 for grooming and 2 for shedding. VCA recommends a weekly brush for a Whippet and notes the short coat offers little cold protection, and both breeds score 1 out of 5 for cold tolerance. Plan on a coat in winter. The Whippet handles heat a bit better (3 versus 2 out of 5).
Temperament and training
Both score 5 out of 5 for prey drive, and PetMD calls the Greyhound a poor fit for homes with small pets such as rabbits. The Whippet is the more affectionate (5 versus 4) and playful (4 versus 3), and VCA calls it often clingy. PetMD describes Greyhounds as gentle, independent and shy with strangers. Both score 3 for trainability and need gentle, reward-based training because they are sensitive.
Health and life span
Whippets typically live 12 to 15 years and Greyhounds 10 to 13, and both score 4 out of 5 for health. PetMD lists bloat, polyneuropathy and delayed bleeding after surgery for the Greyhound, and says its sensitivity to some anesthetic drugs means vets should be aware. The AKC lists cardiac, eye and polyneuropathy tests for the Greyhound and cardiac, eye and hearing tests for the Whippet. Washington State University lists about half of long-haired Whippets as carrying the MDR1 drug-sensitivity mutation, so tell your vet before any medication.
Cost and care
The Greyhound costs more to feed and to equip because it is larger. Both need warm coats, soft beds and secure fencing or leash discipline. Ask your vet about Greyhound-specific anesthesia and bloat-prevention advice, and check whether a retired racer or a puppy better suits your home.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Whippet if you want a smaller, more affectionate and playful sighthound that is easier to carry and travel with, and you are happy with a dog that sticks close to you. Choose the Greyhound if you want a bigger, quieter and more laid-back couch companion that often suits first-time sighthound owners, and you have room for a long-legged dog. Either way, keep your dog on a leash outside enclosed spaces, provide a warm coat in winter and expect a very strong chase instinct around small animals. Meeting adult dogs of both breeds is the best way to see which energy level suits you.
Greyhound profile Whippet profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, a Greyhound or a Whippet?
The Greyhound, at 60 to 70 lb (27 to 32 kg) against 25 to 40 lb (11 to 18 kg) for the Whippet.
Which is better with other pets, a Greyhound or a Whippet?
Neither is a safe bet with small animals. Both score 5 out of 5 for prey drive, and PetMD and VCA both warn about chasing small animals.
Which is easier for first-time owners?
The Greyhound, slightly, at 4 out of 5 on our meters against 3 for the Whippet. Both need secure fencing and gentle training.