Italian Greyhound vs Whippet
The Italian Greyhound vs Whippet — these two breeds have a lot of similar characteristics, such as their long legs and physique for speed. But they have unique traits in their temperaments that might help you decide which is best for you.
They are both incredibly stubborn breeds and need a lot of training, but don’t like being left alone! The Whippet is a more sturdy and rough breed, but the Italian Greyhound is much smaller and cheekier!
If you can’t choose between the Italian Greyhound vs Whippet, then keep reading.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Contents
Italian Greyhound and Whippet Quick Comparison Chart
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet — The Breeds
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Size
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Temperament
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Training
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Price
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet — Shedding
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet — Grooming Requirements
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Exercise
Conclusion
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet FAQs
Italian Greyhound and Whippet Quick Comparison Chart
There have been similar varieties of Greyhound-shaped dogs since Egyptian tomb paintings. Used to hunt in the open for their speed and ability to catch prey quickly, but it’s tricky to pinpoint when the Italian Greyhound originated.
With their deep chest, long slender neck, and legs, the Italian Greyhound is the smallest of all the sighthounds. And, this breed is immensely popular because of their loving and hilarious character.
Is the Italian Greyhound for Me?
The Italian Greyhound is a great choice for those who may be limited on space but love the thought of having their very own sighthound. Their small size doesn’t hold back their fun-loving side, so it’s the best of both worlds. They’re also suitable for families with older children who will respect the size of the Italian Greyhound.
These dogs are full of character, loving, and can fit into any dynamic. As long as they’ve got enough room to burn off their energy, they’re the perfect sweet cuddle-buddy with plenty of personality.
Italian Greyhound Pros
- Great with families.
- Hypoallergenic coat.
- Low-maintenance grooming.
Italian Greyhound Cons
- Not suitable for first-time owners.
- High price tag.
- Escape artists.
Whippet
The Whippet has a long arching back and legs. They trace back to the early sighthound, but through the years they have been bred differently.
Known for having short bursts of energy following some lounging throughout the day, the Whippet is also tagged as a lazy breed by some. They’re bred to be a friendly and loving companion for families or single households and aren’t known for being loud unless there is a reason they need to be on alert.
Is the Whippet for Me?
With a fun and loving character, the Whippet is happy chilling in an apartment — providing they get their walkies. However, they aren’t hypoallergenic — they shed their coats, especially during warm seasons.
The Whippet is a natural athlete, but their size means that people are not overwhelmed by them. They’re ideal companions for outdoorsy adventurers who appreciate cuddling up afterward.
Whippet Pros
- Low maintenance coat.
- Loving and gentle dogs.
- Not an excessive barker.
Whippet Cons
- Very quick if they escape.
- Easily bored.
- Random spurts of energy.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Size
Both the Whippet and Italian Greyhound look alike, which is why you’ll find many people can’t tell the breeds apart. But the Whippet can be up to four times larger than the Italian.
When you compare the sizes of a full-grown Italian Greyhound vs Whippet, you can see that the Italian Greyhound is much smaller.
- Italian Greyhounds grow up to 15 inches and weigh between 7 to 14 pounds.
- Whippets can reach anywhere between 18 to 22 inches and can weigh between 15 to 40 pounds.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Temperament
If you regularly have visitors or have young children, you need to make sure any dog you welcome into your family can fit in and cope with how hectic your environment can be. Luckily, as both the Italian Greyhound, Whippet, and other sighthounds were bred for companionship as well as hunting, these dogs enjoy spending their time around family members.
Behavior
Both these breeds can have their fair share of lazy days, but their quiet nature can surprise you — they’re the opposite if you need to be alerted to something nearby. Whippets can be a real handful during their first year or two of life, but with the correct training, they will eventually calm down and settle into their home routine.
The Italian Greyhound is also known for being a bit of a couch potato at times, but once they form strong emotional bonds with you, they love being attached to you at all times. Hence, why they’re referred to as “velcro dogs.”
Separation Anxiety
The Whippet and Italian Greyhound are sensitive dogs, preferring to save their love for known family members, and aren’t fond of being separated from them. With the right training, your dog can become more comfortable with being left alone, but the Whippet and Italian Greyhound are known for suffering from separation anxiety.
Iggy puppies will need plenty of reassurance and patience. Whereas Whippets settle better after plenty of exercise.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Training
The Whippet and Italian Greyhound are known for their history of hunting and royalty, so it’s no surprise that they’re generally quite cheery when it comes to training. However, they can become quite timid and respond better to positive reinforcement.
Both breeds excel at running incredibly fast. This means you need to ensure you have good recall training before you remove the leash, otherwise, you might be sprinting after them.
Italian Greyhound
.Italian Greyhounds are incredibly clever and enjoy learning new things, but they have a short attention span and will happily wander off into their world if you try to keep them invested for too long. They’re also known for being difficult to potty train, which reflects in their stubborn streak — perseverance is essential.
Whippet
On the other hand, the Whippet is also keen to please but can pay attention for longer. They have no issues with potty training and are happiest when they’re being loved and fussed. Hence, it shouldn’t take long for them to work out what you’re trying to teach them.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Price
So, which sighthound will set you back the most?
On average, you can expect to pay around $1,200 to $3,000 for the Italian Greyhound puppy — they’re considered to be more unique. However, the average price of a Whippet puppy is much less, at around $800 to $1,500.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet — Shedding
If you don’t want to be cleaning up fur day and night, you’ll want to know which breed sheds more, the Italian Greyhound or Whippet?
Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound has a short, smooth coat with fine hair. You hardly notice the shedding, which is why they’re a hypoallergenic breed that produces minimal dander. However, their coat doesn’t offer them much thermal protection.
Whippet
While the Whippet’s coat is almost identical — short and smooth — they shed more frequently, producing a lot of dander. This is why Whippets don’t fall into the hypoallergenic category.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet — Grooming Requirements
If you’re not looking to spend hours grooming your pooch of choice — you’re in luck. The Italian Greyhound and Whippet are very low maintenance.
Brushing
Both breeds have smooth, short-haired coats and require no clipping to maintain. You should only need to brush them once a week to remove any dirt and keep them feeling silky and soft.
As the Whippet is the larger of the two breeds and more prone to shedding, they may benefit from more frequent brushing. But during the change of weather, you’ll notice an increase in fur loss. If you use the right grooming tools, it’ll make a great difference.
Bathing
As a general rule, you only need to bathe your Iggy or Whippet when they’re dirty — to prevent over-drying their delicate skin.
The Whippet’s coat is so thin, they’re very prone to cutting and damaging their skin, which is why you should regularly check them before bathing. Alternatively, a wipe-down with a damp cloth would work.
Teeth
Unfortunately, the Whippet is more prone to dental disease and gum infections than other breeds. You must brush their teeth several times a week to prevent any build-up on their teeth.
The Italian Greyhound is also known for facing dental hygiene issues. But, as long as you brush them regularly each week, and start from a young age, your furry friend shouldn’t face too many problems.
Grooming
As both these breeds don’t require clipping to keep their coat trimmed, it means a trip to the groomers isn’t necessary. Everything can be taken care of at home — saving you a bit of cash.
However, their paws and ears need cleaning every few months, as well as a nail trim. So, if you’re not confident using nail clippers or nail grinders, you could use this opportunity to pamper your pooch.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet Exercise
These may be smaller sighthounds, but their long legs can sprint faster than you think! They’re notorious escape artists — without sufficient exercise — so let’s see which is best for your active lifestyle.
Italian Greyhound
Although the Iggy is from the toy group, they have an energetic nature and need a lot of exercise and space to release that power. You can expect to spend around an hour each day playing, walking, and running with your Italian Greyhound.
Whippet
As the Whippet is a larger breed, you should set aside an hour or more each day for exercise. This ensures they have enough chance to run and explore in a safe, enclosed area, especially because of their need for speed.
Conclusion
Both breeds are affectionate and love to lounge. Yet if you’re looking for an allergy-friendly pooch, the Italian Greyhound is the one for you — the Whippet isn’t considered hypoallergenic and sadly sheds small amounts of their coat.
The Whippet is also much larger than the toy-sized Italian Greyhound. Therefore, needs more room and space to diffuse all that stored energy before it turns into negative behavior.
So, when weighing up the Italian Greyhound vs Whippet, it could all come down to your allergies.
Italian Greyhound vs Whippet FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Italian Greyhound vs Whippet?
The Whippet is much larger than the Italian Greyhound and subsequently has greater exercise needs, which may not suit every household. They’re both loving and prone to having spurts of energy, so make sure you have enough room to accommodate them.
Are Whippets Hard to Potty Train?
Whippets are usually very obedient. As long as you provide enough exercise during the day they will be quiet indoors.
Are Whippets a Good Family Dog?
Whippets are a popular choice for families, they’re gentle and loving with children, but be careful with younger children.
Are Italian Greyhounds Bigger Than Whippets?
The Whipper is a larger member of the hound group, and the Italian Greyhound is a toy breed. But, both are sighthounds meaning they are incredibly fast.
What 2 Breeds Make a Whippet?
The Whippet was bred from terriers and small Greyhounds of English descent.
Can a Whippet Beat a Greyhound?
It’s unlikely that a Whippet could beat a Greyhound — they can reach speeds of up to 45 mph, while a Whippet’s top speed is 35 mph.
