Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Pinscher Versus Whippet: Introduction
- German Pinscher versus Whippet: Overview
- German Pinscher versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Whippet
- Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Whippet Versus the German Pinscher
- Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Whippet
- Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Whippet
- The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Whippet
- Do German Pinschers shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Whippet?
- Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Whippet
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Whippet?
- Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Whippets?
- Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Pinscher Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher or the Whippet.
German Pinscher versus Whippet: Overview
Both the German Pinscher and the Whippet are similar in size. The German Pinscher and the Whippet are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the German Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
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.
German Pinscher versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Whippet
| Factor | German Pinscher | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2040 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $2688 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 91.9 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 135 | 58 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is 78 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Whippet
The German Pinscher and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Pinscher and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Pinscher and the Whippet.
German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 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 German Pinscher versus Whippet
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than German Pinschers.
Temperament of the Whippet Versus the German Pinscher
The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Whippet.
This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 percent while the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher has an above-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 German Pinscher and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 203 Whippets.
Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher 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 the 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 Whippet is more expensive than the German Pinscher.
| German Pinscher | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2040 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $2688 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Pinscher and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many German Pinscher puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. 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 German Pinscher 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.
Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Whippet
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Pinschers and many Whippets 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 German Pinscher named Skeeter that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Pinschers like Skeeter on pefinder.com.
Also, like German Pinschers, Whippets are also available for adoption. For example, Zeb is a Male Whippet that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Whippets like Zeb that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Remi is the name of another German Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Flash is an adorable Male Whippet on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more German Pinschers and Whippets that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Pinscher
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | German Pinscher Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 130 | 59 |
| 2014 | 141 | 56 |
| 2015 | 138 | 57 |
| 2016 | 146 | 60 |
| 2017 | 136 | 61 |
| 2018 | 134 | 61 |
| 2019 | 123 | 57 |
| 2020 | 139 | 59 |
Health Problems of German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the German Pinscher.
4 health tests are recommended for German Pinscher while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Pinschers and in Whippets.
German Pinscher Health Problems
German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher 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 German Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the German Pinscher ranks 11 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 German Pinschers, 2 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Pinscher and the Whippet:
| Disease | German Pinscher Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 11 out of 71 dog breeds | 3 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 15 out of 159 dog breeds | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 56 out of 115 dog breeds | 108 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 95 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 110 out of 182 dog breeds | 162 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 196 out of 198 dog breeds | 191 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 17 out of 21 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: German Pinscher versus Whippet
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do German Pinschers shed more than Whippets?
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Whippet
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Whippet?
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Whippet
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Whippet?
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Whippets?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Whippets?
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Whippet?
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Pinscher or the Whippet?
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher:
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 German Pinscher and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Pinscher and of the Whippet to other breeds:
German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Pinscher versus Peek A Poo German Pinscher versus Schnoodle German Pinscher versus Mal Shi German Pinscher versus Bichon Frise German Pinscher versus Pomeranian German Pinscher versus Boxer German Pinscher versus Shiranian German Pinscher versus Black Russian Terrier German Pinscher versus Toy Poodle German Pinscher versus Komondor German Pinscher versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog German Pinscher versus Black Mouth Cur German Pinscher versus West Highland White Terrier German Pinscher versus Chinese Crested German Pinscher versus Redbone Coonhound German Pinscher versus Belgian Sheepdog German Pinscher versus Schipperke German Pinscher versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen German Pinscher versus Irish Setter German Pinscher versus Havanese German Pinscher versus Bernedoodle German Pinscher versus Chinese Crested German Pinscher versus Miniature Schnauzer German Pinscher versus Leonberger German Pinscher versus Schnoodle
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Silky Terrier Whippet versus American Pit Bull Terrier Whippet versus Dachshund Whippet versus Scottish Terrier Whippet versus Beaglier Whippet versus English Springer Spaniel Whippet versus Estrela Mountain Dog Whippet versus Cesky Terrier Whippet versus Miniature Pinscher Whippet versus Dalmatian Whippet versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Whippet versus Belgian Malinois Whippet versus Rottweiler Whippet versus Welsh Terrier Whippet versus Standard Poodle Whippet versus Puli Whippet versus West Highland White Terrier Whippet versus Golden Cocker Retriever Whippet versus Kuvasz Whippet versus Mudi Whippet versus Kishu Ken Whippet versus Redbone Coonhound Whippet versus Kishu Ken Whippet versus Weimaraner Whippet versus Alaskan Klee Kai
Conclusion: German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Whippet better suits you and your family.