Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Whippet: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Whippet
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Whippet
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Whippets?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Whippets?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Whippet
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound or the Whippet
Afghan Hound versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Afghan Hound and the Whippet are Hound Dogs. This means both the Afghan Hound and the Whippet 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.
Afghan Hound versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound 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 | Afghan Hound | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $2190 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $1800 – $2600 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 79 | 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound is 78 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 Afghan Hound. 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 Afghan Hound and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Whippet
The Afghan Hound and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Whippet.
Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 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 Afghan Hound versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2390. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $2250 – $2500. However, the price of a Afghan Hound can be as low as $1800 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Whippet.
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $2190 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $1800 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Whippets
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
| Afghan Hound | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 79 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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:
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 Afghan Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 79 out of 130 dog breeds. The Afghan Hound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Afghan Hounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Whippet is more intelligent than the Afghan Hound.
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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound. 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 Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 59 |
| 2014 | 98 | 56 |
| 2015 | 100 | 57 |
| 2016 | 113 | 60 |
| 2017 | 93 | 61 |
| 2018 | 113 | 61 |
| 2019 | 111 | 57 |
| 2020 | 122 | 59 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Whippets.
Afghan Hound Health Problems
Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Whippets here.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Whippet
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
Afghan Hounds 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Whippet?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Whippets?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Whippets?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Afghan Hounds 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.
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.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Whippet
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Irish Terrier Afghan Hound versus Norwich Terrier Afghan Hound versus Pomeranian Afghan Hound versus Boxer Afghan Hound versus Puli Afghan Hound versus Harrier Afghan Hound versus Icelandic Sheepdog Afghan Hound versus Border Terrier Afghan Hound versus Redbone Coonhound
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Tibetan Spaniel Whippet versus Chow Chow Whippet versus Standard Poodle Whippet versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Whippet versus Leonberger Whippet versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Whippet versus Scottish Deerhound Whippet versus West Highland White Terrier Whippet versus Chow Chow Whippet versus Boxerdoodle
Conclusion: Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Whippet better suits you and your family.