Breed Comparison: American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Greyhound

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American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Greyhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and for the Greyhound. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Greyhound.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound: Overview

A very important difference between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Greyhound is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Greyhound 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.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier to the Greyhound 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Greyhound
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 50 to 85 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1140 $660
Price Range $400 – $1200 $500 – $800
Temperament Score 87.4 percent 79.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 Greyhound. 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 the American Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Greyhound is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a better pet than the Greyhound. So, you should get the American Pit Bull Terrier!

    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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound

    Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are most different:

  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Greyhounds get along well with other dogs.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are most similar:

  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Greyhounds weigh 50 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Greyhounds are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Greyhounds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Greyhounds is 13.5 years.

    American Pit Bull Terriers live longer than Greyhounds.

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

    Temperament of the Greyhound Versus the American Pit Bull Terrier

    The American Pit Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Greyhound.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 87.4 percent while the temperament score for the Greyhound is 79.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 87.4 percent, the American Pit Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 79.7 percent, the Greyhound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound by measuring the temperaments of 931 American Pit Bull Terriers and 69 Greyhounds.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Greyhound

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of a American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Greyhound puppy is $660. The price of the Greyhound typically ranges from $500 – $800. However, the price of the Greyhound can be as low as $400 and as high as $1100. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 20 Greyhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The American Pit Bull Terrier is more expensive than the Greyhound.

    American Pit Bull Terrier Greyhound
    Average Price $1140 $660
    Price Range $400 to $1200 $500 to $800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Pit Bull Terrier and Greyhound. For different price points, the charts show how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies or how many Greyhound puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Greyhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Greyhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy or the Greyhound 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

    Adopting the American Pit Bull Terrier versus Adopting the Greyhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many American Pit Bull Terriers and many Greyhounds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male American Pit Bull Terrier named Gary that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable American Pit Bull Terriers like Gary on pefinder.com.

    Also, like American Pit Bull Terriers, Greyhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Boze (Kilara Itoze) is a Male Greyhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Greyhounds like Boze (Kilara Itoze) that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Kobe is the name of another American Pit Bull Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Teddy (Prison Trained Greyhound) is an adorable Male Greyhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    American Pit Bull Terriers and Greyhounds are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more American Pit Bull Terriers and Greyhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Greyhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Greyhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Greyhound

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Greyhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greyhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Greyhounds 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.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Greyhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Greyhound

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Greyhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Greyhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are American Pit Bull Terriers and Greyhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Greyhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Greyhounds are very easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Greyhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Greyhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Greyhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (76 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Greyhound vs American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • American Water Spaniel (74 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Greyhound vs American Water Spaniel.
  • German Shepherd Dog (77 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Greyhound vs German Shepherd Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greyhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Greyhound 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 Greyhound:

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (70 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • Bull Terrier (71 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Bull Terrier.
  • Weimaraner (69 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Weimaraner.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Pit Bull Terrier and how the Greyhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of the Greyhound to other breeds:

    American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pomsky     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Cavachon     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Beaglier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Affenpinscher     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Affenpinscher     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Affenhuahua     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Boxer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bulldog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pointer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basenji     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bearded Collie     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Borzoi     American Pit Bull Terrier versus King Shepherd     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     American Pit Bull Terrier versus English Setter     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     

    Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greyhound versus Basenji     Greyhound versus Biewer Terrier     Greyhound versus Chorkie     Greyhound versus Sheepadoodle     Greyhound versus Westiepoo     Greyhound versus Shihpoo     Greyhound versus Dalmatian     Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund     Greyhound versus Maltese     Greyhound versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Greyhound versus Patterdale Terrier     Greyhound versus Brittany     Greyhound versus Kooikerhondje     Greyhound versus American Hairless Terrier     Greyhound versus Briard     Greyhound versus Belgian Sheepdog     Greyhound versus American Eskimo Dog     Greyhound versus Alaskan Malamute     Greyhound versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Greyhound versus West Highland White Terrier     Greyhound versus Bracco Italiano     Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd     Greyhound versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Greyhound versus Weimaraner     Greyhound versus Collie     

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Greyhound. 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Greyhound better suits you and your family.