Is the Affenpinscher Better than the Whippet as a Pet? Answer…

Affenpinscher versus Whippet

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Affenpinscher Versus Whippet: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Whippet? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher and the Whippet better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher and the Whippet is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Affenpinscher and for the Whippet. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher and the Whippet.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenpinscher or the Whippet

Affenpinscher versus Whippet: Overview

A very important difference between the Affenpinscher and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Affenpinscher is a tiny-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Affenpinscher belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Affenpinscher versus Whippet: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Affenpinscher to the Whippet based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Affenpinscher Whippet
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Weight 7 to 9 pounds 18 to 48 pounds
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2220 $2190
Price Range $500 – $1962 $1800 – $2600
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 147 58
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 37 51

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Whippet. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Whippet is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Whippet is a better pet than the Affenpinscher. So, you should get the Whippet!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenpinscher and the Whippet

    Below is a list of where the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are most different:

  • Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Whippet

    The Affenpinscher and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are most similar:

  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are very playful.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Whippet

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Whippet.

    Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Whippets weigh 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. Whippets are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Whippet

    The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Whippet puppy is $2190. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $1800 – $2600. However, the price of a Whippet can be as low as $400 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 69 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Affenpinscher is more expensive than the Whippet.

    Affenpinscher Whippet
    Average Price $2220 $2190
    Price Range $500 to $1962 $1800 to $2600

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Whippets

    A breakdown of the prices of Whippets

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Whippet puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Whippet

    Affenpinscher Whippet
    Intelligence Rank 37 out of 130 dog breeds 51 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Affenpinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Affenpinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Affenpinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Whippet has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Whippet belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Whippets tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Affenpinscher is more intelligent than the Whippet.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Whippet

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Affenpinscher and the Whippet over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Whippet is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Affenpinscher

    Popularity of Affenpinscher

    Popularity of Whippet

    Popularity of Whippet

    Year Affenpinscher Popularity Rank Whippet Popularity Rank
    2013 143 59
    2014 144 56
    2015 136 57
    2016 149 60
    2017 147 61
    2018 148 61
    2019 151 57
    2020 163 59

    Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Whippet

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Affenpinscher and the Whippet are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Whippet is prone to more genetic health problems than the Affenpinscher.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Affenpinscher.

    4 health tests are recommended for Affenpinscher while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Affenpinschers and in Whippets.

    Affenpinscher Health Problems

    Affenpinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Affenpinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Affenpinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Affenpinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Affenpinschers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Affenpinschers here.

    Whippet Health Problems

    Whippets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Whippet puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Whippet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Whippet breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Whippets for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Whippets here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Whippet

    Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Whippets do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Whippets?

    Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Do Affenpinschers shed more than Whippets?

    Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Whippet

    Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Whippet?

    Affenpinschers are not easy to train.

    Whippets are very easy to train.

    Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?

    Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Whippet

    Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Whippets can tolerate hot weather.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Whippet?

    Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.

    Whippets are very easy to groom.

    Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?

    Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Whippets have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Whippet?

    Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.

    Whippets are OK for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Whippet?

    Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.

    Whippets get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?

    Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Whippets?

    Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Whippet that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Whippet:

  • Ibizan Hound (86 percent match with Whippet). Here is our comparison of the Affenpinscher vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Affenpinscher:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (75 percent match with Affenpinscher). Here is our comparison of the Whippet vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Peek A Poo (75 percent match with Affenpinscher). Here is our comparison of the Whippet vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Whippet to other breeds:

    Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Affenpinscher versus Lhasa Apso     Affenpinscher versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Affenpinscher versus Bernedoodle     Affenpinscher versus Korean Jindo Dog     Affenpinscher versus Chinese Crested     Affenpinscher versus Bloodhound     Affenpinscher versus Greyhound     Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier     Affenpinscher versus Boykin Spaniel     Affenpinscher versus Coton de Tulear     

    Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Whippet versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Whippet versus Schipperke     Whippet versus Pomchi     Whippet versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Whippet versus Fila Brasileiro     Whippet versus Sealyham Terrier     Whippet versus Tibetan Spaniel     Whippet versus Miniature Schnauzer     Whippet versus Chihuahua     Whippet versus Affenpinscher     

    Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Affenpinscher and the Whippet better suits you and your family.