Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Belgian Tervuren Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet: Overview
- Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet
- Size Comparison of Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Belgian Tervuren Versus the Whippet
- Price of Belgian Tervuren versus Price of Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Belgian Tervuren versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- Health Problems of Belgian Tervuren versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet
- Do Belgian Tervurens shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet?
- Does the Belgian Tervuren Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Belgian Tervurens Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Tervuren vs. Whippet
- Can Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet?
- Are Belgian Tervurens good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Belgian Tervurens and Whippets?
- Is the Belgian Tervuren Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Conclusion: Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Belgian Tervuren Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet.
Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Tervuren is a large-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Belgian Tervuren belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet
| Factor | Belgian Tervuren | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 21 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 70 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1630 | $2510 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2000 | $2500 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 81.4 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 14 | 51 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren is 77 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 Belgian Tervuren. 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are most different:
- Belgian Tervurens have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Whippets have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Belgian Tervurens can tolerate cold weather. However, Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
- Belgian Tervurens 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.
The Similarities Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet
The Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are most similar:
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are very easy to train.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are highly intelligent.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet are very playful.
Size Comparison of Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet.
Belgian Tervurens weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Tervurens are 21 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.
Lifespan of Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet
The lifespan of Belgian Tervurens is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Tervurens is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than Belgian Tervurens.
Temperament of the Belgian Tervuren Versus the Whippet
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Belgian Tervuren.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Belgian Tervuren is 81.4 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 81.4 percent, the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 521 Belgian Tervurens and 203 Whippets.
Price of Belgian Tervuren versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Belgian Tervuren puppy is $1630. The price of the Belgian Tervuren typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 27 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Belgian Tervuren and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Belgian Tervuren puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Belgian Tervurens. 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
`| Belgian Tervuren | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 14 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Belgian Tervuren has an obedience intelligence rank of 14 out of 130 dog breeds. The Belgian Tervuren belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Belgian Tervurens tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Belgian Tervuren.
4 health tests are recommended for Belgian Tervuren while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Tervurens and in Whippets.
Belgian Tervuren Health Problems
Belgian Tervurens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervurens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Belgian Tervurens 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: Belgian Tervuren versus Whippet
Belgian Tervurens do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Belgian Tervurens shed more than Whippets?
Belgian Tervurens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet
Belgian Tervurens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet?
Belgian Tervurens are moderately easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Belgian Tervuren Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Belgian Tervurens have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Belgian Tervurens Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Belgian Tervurens can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Tervuren vs. Whippet
Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Belgian Tervurens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet?
Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Belgian Tervurens good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervurens and Whippets?
Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Belgian Tervuren Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Belgian Tervurens are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Belgian Tervuren Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Belgian Tervurens adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Tervuren or the Whippet?
Belgian Tervurens are OK for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Whippet better suits you and your family.