Afghan Hound vs Whippet
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Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound comes from the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, where it hunted gazelle and wolves by sight rather than scent, often over cold, rocky terrain. The long, silky coat once buffered swings in high-altitude temperature, and today it demands serious upkeep, several hours of brushing a week. The frame, up to 27 kilograms, is lean but muscular, built for sprinting across uneven ground. Like many sighthounds, it can take off after anything that moves, so a securely fenced yard is essential rather than optional. Temperamentally it tends to be independent and can seem aloof even with its own family. Life expectancy runs 12 to 18 years, notably long for a dog its size.
Whippet
The Whippet was developed in England's working-class districts in the nineteenth century as an affordable alternative to larger sighthounds, bred for informal races nicknamed 'rag racing,' where dogs chased a dragged rag instead of live game. The lean, muscular frame, weighing around 16 kilograms, reaches some of the highest speeds of any breed over a short sprint but tires out just as quickly. The short, thin coat offers little protection from cold, so a winter coat is often a practical necessity. Indoors a Whippet behaves almost like a cat, sleeping through most of the day on a soft surface to offset short bursts of intense activity. Temperament is gentle and calm, rarely aggressive or overly vocal. Thin skin and low body fat make it more cold-sensitive than most medium-sized breeds. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.
At a glance
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 68.0–74.0 cm | 47.0–51.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 20.0–27.0 kg | 11.0–16.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–18 yrs | 12–15 yrs |
| Coat | long, silky, fine texture | short, fine, close |
Temperament & Family Life
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.