Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Terrier Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Australian Terrier versus Whippet: Overview
- Australian Terrier versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Terrier and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Australian Terrier and the Whippet
- Size Comparison of Australian Terrier versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Australian Terrier versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Australian Terrier
- Price of Australian Terrier versus Price of Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Australian Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- Health Problems of Australian Terrier versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Terrier versus Whippet
- Do Australian Terriers shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Terrier or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Terrier or the Whippet?
- Does the Australian Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Australian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Terrier vs. Whippet
- Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Terrier or the Whippet?
- Are Australian Terriers good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Terriers and Whippets?
- Is the Australian Terrier Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Conclusion: Australian Terrier versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Terrier Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Terrier and the Whippet? 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 Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier or the Whippet.
Australian Terrier versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Terrier and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian 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 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.
Australian Terrier versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Terrier 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Terrier and the Whippet
| Factor | Australian Terrier | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 14 to 16 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1250 | $2510 |
| Price Range | $1050 – $1500 | $2500 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 34 | 51 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian 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 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 the Australian Terrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Whippet is a better pet than the Australian Terrier. 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 Australian Terrier and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Terrier and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are most different:
- Australian Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Whippets are prone to nip and chew at things.
- Australian Terriers are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Whippets 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.
- Australian Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Whippets are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
- Australian Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Whippets do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
The Similarities Between the Australian Terrier and the Whippet
The Australian Terrier and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are most similar:
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are highly intelligent.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are very easy to groom.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Australian Terrier and the Whippet are very playful.
Size Comparison of Australian Terrier versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Terrier and the Whippet.
Australian Terriers weigh 14 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Australian Terriers are 10 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.
Lifespan of Australian Terrier versus Whippet
The lifespan of Australian Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Terriers is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Australian Terrier
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Australian Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Terrier is 82.4 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 82.4 percent, the Australian Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Terrier and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 17 Australian Terriers and 203 Whippets.
Price of Australian Terrier versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Australian Terrier puppy is $1250. The price of the Australian Terrier typically ranges from $1050 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 13 Australian Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Whippet puppy is $2510. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $2500 – $2600. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 39 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Whippet is more expensive than the Australian Terrier.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Terrier and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Terrier puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Terriers. 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 Australian Terrier 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 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.
The Intelligence of the Australian Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
`| Australian Terrier | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 34 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 Australian Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terrier 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.
Health Problems of Australian Terrier versus Health Problems of Whippet
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Australian Terrier.
3 health tests are recommended for Australian Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Terriers and in Whippets.
Australian Terrier Health Problems
Australian Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Terriers 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Terrier versus Whippet
Australian Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Terriers shed more than Whippets?
Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terrier or the Whippet
Australian Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Terrier or the Whippet?
Australian Terriers are very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Australian Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Australian Terriers 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.
Do Australian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
Australian Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Terrier vs. Whippet
Australian Terriers 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.
Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Terrier or the Whippet?
Australian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Terriers good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terriers and Whippets?
Australian Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Australian Terrier Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Australian Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Australian Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Australian Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Terrier or the Whippet?
Australian Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Whippet better suits you and your family.