Is the Greyhound or the Whippet better for families with children?

Both the Greyhound and the Whippet are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Greyhound or the Whippet?

The Greyhound and Whippet shed a similar amount (low).

Which is easier to train, the Greyhound or the Whippet?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Greyhound or Whippet bigger?

Greyhound is the larger breed; Whippet is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, Greyhound or Whippet?

Both bark a similar amount (very low).

Which is better for apartment living, Greyhound or Whippet?

For apartment or apartment living, Whippet has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Greyhound vs Whippet: Which Adapts Better?

Greyhound vs Whippet: full comparison

Trait	Greyhound	Whippet
Size	Large	Medium
Energy level	Medium	Medium
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	Very Low	Very Low
Shedding	Low	Low
Barking	Very Low	Very Low
Protectiveness	Very Low	Very Low
Adaptability	High	Very High
Typical lifespan	12 years	14 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Greyhound is a larger dog than the Whippet, which affects space, food and exercise needs.

Size and living space

The Greyhound is a big, substantial dog that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. By comparison, the Whippet is a mid-sized breed that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Greyhound wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. The Whippet wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Greyhound takes almost no grooming, since the odd brush keeps it tidy and sheds only lightly. The Whippet takes almost no grooming, since the odd brush keeps it tidy and sheds only lightly. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Greyhound is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, almost never barks and suits families with children particularly well. The Whippet is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, almost never barks and suits families with children particularly well. On guarding instinct, Greyhound has almost no watchdog instinct and welcomes everyone, whereas Whippet has almost no watchdog instinct and welcomes everyone.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Whippet has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Greyhound and Whippet are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Whippet has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Greyhound has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Greyhound and Whippet are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Greyhound if you want a bigger, more substantial dog.

Choose the Whippet if you want a longer-lived breed, you want a more adaptable dog, or you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Greyhound or the Whippet better for families with children?: Both the Greyhound and the Whippet are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Greyhound or the Whippet?: The Greyhound and Whippet shed a similar amount (low).
Which is easier to train, the Greyhound or the Whippet?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Greyhound or Whippet bigger?: Greyhound is the larger breed; Whippet is smaller and more compact.
Which barks more, Greyhound or Whippet?: Both bark a similar amount (very low).
Which is better for apartment living, Greyhound or Whippet?: For apartment or apartment living, Whippet has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Greyhound vs Whippet