Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Papillon Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Papillon versus Whippet: Overview
- Papillon versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Papillon and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Papillon and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Papillon versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Papillon versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Papillon Versus the Whippet
- Price of Papillon versus Price of Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Papillon versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Papillon versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of Papillon versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Papillon versus Whippet
- Do Papillons shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Papillon or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Papillon or the Whippet?
- Does the Papillon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Papillons Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Papillon vs. Whippet
- Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Papillon or the Whippet?
- Are Papillons good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Papillons and Whippets?
- Is the Papillon Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Papillon versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Papillon Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon or the Whippet.
Papillon versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Papillon and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Papillon is a tiny-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Papillon 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.
Papillon versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Papillon 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 Papillon and the Whippet
| Factor | Papillon | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 4 to 9 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1800 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2000 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 82.3 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 49 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 8 | 51 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Papillon 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Whippet. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 Papillon and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Papillon and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Papillon and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Papillon and the Whippet
The Papillon and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Papillon and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Papillon versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Papillon and the Whippet.
Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 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 Papillon versus Whippet
The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Papillons live longer than Whippets.
Temperament of the Papillon Versus the Whippet
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Papillon.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 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 82.3 percent, the Papillon 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 Papillon and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 96 Papillons and 203 Whippets.
Price of Papillon versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of a Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon 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 Papillon.
| Papillon | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1800 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2000 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Papillon and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Papillon puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Papillons. 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 Papillon 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 Papillon versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
| Papillon | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 8 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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:
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 Papillon has an obedience intelligence rank of 8 out of 130 dog breeds. The Papillon belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Papillons tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 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 Papillon 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.
The Popularity of Papillon 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 Papillon and the Whippet over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Papillon is more popular with dog owners than the Whippet. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Papillon
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | Papillon Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 38 | 59 |
| 2014 | 43 | 56 |
| 2015 | 48 | 57 |
| 2016 | 53 | 60 |
| 2017 | 53 | 61 |
| 2018 | 54 | 61 |
| 2019 | 53 | 57 |
| 2020 | 53 | 59 |
Health Problems of Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Papillon.
2 health tests are recommended for Papillon while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Papillons and in Whippets.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons 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 Papillons 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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons 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 Papillon and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Papillon and the Whippet:
| Disease | Papillon Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 55 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 67 out of 159 dog breeds | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 148 out of 182 dog breeds | 162 out of 182 dog breeds |
| 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: Papillon versus Whippet
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Papillons shed more than Whippets?
Papillons 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 Papillon or the Whippet
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Papillon or the Whippet?
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Papillon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Papillons 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 Papillons Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Papillon vs. Whippet
Papillons 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.
Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Papillon or the Whippet?
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Papillons good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Papillons 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 Papillons and Whippets?
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Papillon Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Papillons are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Papillon Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Papillon or the Whippet?
Papillons are very good for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
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 Papillon and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Papillon and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Finnish Lapphund Papillon versus Spinone Italiano Papillon versus English Setter Papillon versus Canaan Dog Papillon versus Carolina Dog Papillon versus Canaan Dog Papillon versus Redbone Coonhound Papillon versus Bullmastiff Papillon versus Swedish Vallhund Papillon versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Papillon versus Puggle Papillon versus Keeshond Papillon versus Tibetan Mastiff Papillon versus Pomchi Papillon versus Kai Ken Papillon versus Komondor Papillon versus Field Spaniel Papillon versus Frenchton Papillon versus Samoyed Papillon versus Karelian Bear Dog Papillon versus Affenhuahua Papillon versus Norfolk Terrier Papillon versus Manchester Terrier Papillon versus Border Collie Papillon versus Canaan Dog
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Black and Tan Coonhound Whippet versus Pomchi Whippet versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Whippet versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Whippet versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Whippet versus Sheepadoodle Whippet versus Patterdale Terrier Whippet versus American Water Spaniel Whippet versus Bedlington Terrier Whippet versus Akita Whippet versus Bearded Collie Whippet versus Boston Terrier Whippet versus Briard Whippet versus Standard Schnauzer Whippet versus West Highland White Terrier Whippet versus Belgian Tervuren Whippet versus Black and Tan Coonhound Whippet versus Dachshund Whippet versus Labradoodle Whippet versus Irish Terrier Whippet versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Whippet versus Catahoula Bulldog Whippet versus Portuguese Pointer Whippet versus Australian Cattle Dog Whippet versus Bluetick Coonhound
Conclusion: Papillon 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 Papillon and the Whippet better suits you and your family.