Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Saluki Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Saluki versus Whippet: Overview
- Saluki versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Saluki versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Saluki versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Saluki
- Price of Saluki versus Price of Whippet
- Adopting the Saluki versus Adopting the Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Saluki versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Saluki versus Popularity of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Whippet
- Do Salukis shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Saluki or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Saluki or the Whippet?
- Does the Saluki Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Whippet
- Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Saluki or the Whippet?
- Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Salukis and Whippets?
- Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saluki
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Saluki versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Saluki Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Saluki 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 Saluki 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 Saluki and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Saluki 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 Saluki 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 Saluki 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 Saluki or the Whippet.
Saluki versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Saluki and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Saluki is a large-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Saluki and the Whippet are Hound Dogs. This means both the Saluki and the Whippet 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.
Saluki versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Saluki 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 Saluki and the Whippet
| Factor | Saluki | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 70 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | $2250 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2250 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 68.7 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 127 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 43 | 51 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Saluki 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 Saluki is 74 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 Saluki. 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 Saluki and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Saluki and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Whippet
The Saluki and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Saluki and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Saluki versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Saluki and the Whippet.
Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 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 Saluki versus Whippet
The lifespan of Salukis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Salukis 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 Salukis.
Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Saluki
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Saluki.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 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 68.7 percent, the Saluki 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 Saluki and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 203 Whippets.
Price of Saluki versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of a Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki 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 Saluki is more expensive than the Whippet.
| Saluki | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2250 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2250 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Saluki and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Saluki puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Salukis. 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 Saluki 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 Saluki versus Adopting the Whippet
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Salukis 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 Saluki named Archie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Salukis like Archie on pefinder.com.
Also, like Salukis, Whippets are also available for adoption. For example, Malcom is a Male Whippet that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Whippets like Malcom that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Dexter O is the name of another Saluki (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Salukis and Whippets that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Saluki versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
| Saluki | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 43 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Saluki has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saluki belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Salukis tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Saluki 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 Saluki 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 Saluki 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 Saluki. 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 Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Saluki
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | Saluki Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 115 | 59 |
| 2014 | 134 | 56 |
| 2015 | 132 | 57 |
| 2016 | 125 | 60 |
| 2017 | 123 | 61 |
| 2018 | 120 | 61 |
| 2019 | 125 | 57 |
| 2020 | 144 | 59 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Whippet
Salukis do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Salukis shed more than Whippets?
Salukis 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 Saluki or the Whippet
Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Saluki or the Whippet?
Salukis are very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Saluki Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Salukis 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 Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
Salukis 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 Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Whippet
Salukis 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 Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Salukis 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 Saluki or the Whippet?
Salukis get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Salukis 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 Salukis and Whippets?
Salukis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Salukis are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Saluki Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Saluki or the Whippet?
Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saluki
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saluki 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 Saluki:
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 Saluki and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Saluki and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds
Saluki versus Cavachon Saluki versus Beagle Saluki versus Keeshond Saluki versus Chi-Poo Saluki versus Pekingese Saluki versus American Water Spaniel Saluki versus Icelandic Sheepdog Saluki versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Saluki versus Bordoodle Saluki versus Yorkipoo Saluki versus Beagle Saluki versus Papillon Saluki versus Norwegian Lundehund Saluki versus American Hairless Terrier Saluki versus Norwegian Lundehund Saluki versus Papipoo Saluki versus Afador Saluki versus Greyhound Saluki versus Bich Poo Saluki versus Black Russian Terrier Saluki versus Chi-Poo Saluki versus Pyredoodle Saluki versus Newfoundland Saluki versus Collie Saluki versus Weimaraner
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Whippet versus Stabyhoun Whippet versus Akita Chow Whippet versus Portuguese Pointer Whippet versus Saint Berdoodle Whippet versus Patterdale Terrier Whippet versus Pomeranian Whippet versus Great Pyrenees Whippet versus Pyredoodle Whippet versus King Shepherd Whippet versus Black Russian Terrier Whippet versus German Shepherd Dog Whippet versus Mudi Whippet versus Pyrenean Shepherd Whippet versus Kishu Ken Whippet versus Afghan Hound Whippet versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Whippet versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Whippet versus Shichon Whippet versus Bearded Collie Whippet versus Norfolk Terrier Whippet versus Puggle Whippet versus Lagotto Romagnolo Whippet versus Boxerdoodle Whippet versus Greyhound
Conclusion: Saluki 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 Saluki and the Whippet better suits you and your family.