Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Toy Spaniel Versus Whippet: Introduction
- English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet: Overview
- English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet
- Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Whippet
- The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet
- How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Whippets?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet
- Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Whippet
- Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet?
- Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Whippets?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Toy Spaniel Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet
English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel 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 | English Toy Spaniel | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 8 to 14 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2350 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2525 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 58 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel is 74 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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet
The English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet.
English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels 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.
Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Whippet puppy is $2120. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $1600 – $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 121 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Whippet.
| English Toy Spaniel | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2350 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2525 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 Popularity of English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 135 | 59 |
| 2014 | 138 | 56 |
| 2015 | 129 | 57 |
| 2016 | 130 | 60 |
| 2017 | 134 | 61 |
| 2018 | 135 | 61 |
| 2019 | 139 | 57 |
| 2020 | 138 | 59 |
Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the English Toy Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Whippets.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems
English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels 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.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Whippets
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Whippet Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Whippet ranks 3 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1416 Whippets, 107 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Whippets, and how common these diseases are in Whippets relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet:
| Disease | English Toy Spaniel Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 2 out of 159 dog breeds | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 4 out of 182 dog breeds | 162 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 4 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 3 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 17 out of 21 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 108 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 191 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Whippets?
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Whippet
English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Whippet?
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet?
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet?
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Whippet?
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
English Toy Spaniels 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.
Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Whippets?
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Whippets?
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
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 Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Whippet to other breeds:
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Weimaraner English Toy Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd English Toy Spaniel versus Irish Setter English Toy Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler English Toy Spaniel versus Mountain Cur English Toy Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees English Toy Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur English Toy Spaniel versus American Foxhound English Toy Spaniel versus Chi-Poo
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Shetland Sheepdog Whippet versus Bichon Frise Whippet versus Belgian Sheepdog Whippet versus Barbet Whippet versus Biewer Terrier Whippet versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Whippet versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Whippet versus Border Collie Whippet versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Whippet versus Shiranian
Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Whippet better suits you and your family.