Greyhound vs Whippet

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds β€” temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

πŸ• Greyhound πŸ• Whippet
Group Hound Hound
Origin Egypt / Middle East England
Weight 27–32 kg 8–18 kg
Height 69–76 cm 44–56 cm
Lifespan 10–13 years 12–15 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

πŸ• Greyhound

Temperament

Gentle, dignified, sensitive, quiet. Greyhounds are remarkably calm indoors and tolerant of other dogs. They have high prey drive β€” small fluffy pets are at risk.

Exercise

30–45 minutes of daily exercise β€” two short walks plus a sprint in a secure area is ideal. They're sprinters, not marathoners.

Grooming

Short coat, weekly brush. Bathing as needed.

Health

Bloat / GDV. Bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Sensitive to anaesthesia (always use a Greyhound-experienced vet). Thin skin (cuts easily). Dental disease.

Full Greyhound profile β†’

πŸ• Whippet

Temperament

Gentle, sweet, sensitive, quiet. Whippets are velcro-dogs with their family, calm with strangers and tolerant of children. High prey drive towards small animals.

Exercise

60 minutes of daily exercise β€” two short walks plus a sprint.

Grooming

Short fine coat, weekly brush. They feel cold β€” most need a coat in winter.

Health

Generally a healthy breed. Watch for: hereditary deafness, eye conditions, anaesthesia sensitivity, dental disease. Lifespan often 14+.

Full Whippet profile β†’

Which is right for you?

Pick the Greyhound if

Apartment-friendly retiree owners, calm families, allergy-tolerant owners.

Pick the Whippet if

Apartment-friendly families, owners home a lot, allergy-tolerant.

Products both breeds would love

Free DeliveryOn orders over $100
Secure CheckoutStripe & Apple Pay
Easy Returns14-day return window
Real Human SupportMon–Fri 7am–10pm