Greyhound vs Whippet
Compare two breeds
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Greyhound
Bred in Britain for centuries to chase game by sight rather than scent, the Greyhound remains the fastest dog breed recorded, capable of short bursts near 70 kilometers per hour from a standing start. That speed comes from an unusually efficient double-suspension gallop, where all four feet leave the ground twice per stride, once fully extended and once fully bunched. An adult male can reach 32 kilograms, but the build carries almost no body fat, so the ribs and spine are visible even on a healthy dog, which often worries new owners unfamiliar with the breed. Despite the racing reputation, Greyhounds are famously low-energy at home and commonly nicknamed "45mph couch potatoes" for how much of the day they spend asleep. Thin skin and a low body-fat percentage mean they feel cold quickly and often need a coat in winter weather that other breeds shrug off. Thousands of retired racing Greyhounds are rehomed each year once their track careers end around age four or five, and most adapt to a sofa within days. Many retain a strong prey drive toward small, fast-moving animals, a legacy of their original job, so recall around cats or rabbits needs real caution. Life expectancy runs 10 to 13 years, reasonable for a dog this 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
| Greyhound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 71.0–76.0 cm | 47.0–51.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 29.0–32.0 kg | 11.0–16.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13 yrs | 12–15 yrs |
| Coat | short, fine, close | short, fine, close |
Temperament & Family Life
| Greyhound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Greyhound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Greyhound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Greyhound | 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.