Which is Better between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet? A Very Detailed Review.

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Shetland Sheepdog Versus Whippet: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog or the Whippet.

Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet: Overview

A very important difference between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet

Factor Shetland Sheepdog Whippet
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight Starts at 20 pounds 18 to 48 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1590 $2120
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $1600 – $2600
Temperament Score 68.9 percent 86.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 58
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 6 51

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet

    Below is a list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are most different:

  • Shetland Sheepdogs are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Whippets are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Whippets adapt well to apartment living.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Whippets are very easy to groom.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Whippets are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet

    The Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are most similar:

  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are very playful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are very easy to train.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet.

    Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 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 Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

    Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog Versus the Whippet

    The Whippet has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 515 Shetland Sheepdogs and 203 Whippets.

    Price of Shetland Sheepdog versus Price of Whippet

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.

    Shetland Sheepdog Whippet
    Average Price $1590 $2120
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $1600 to $2600

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Shetland Sheepdog and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Whippets

    A breakdown of the prices of Whippets

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shetland Sheepdog 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.

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

    Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog versus Adopting the Whippet

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog named Nash (In Foster) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shetland Sheepdogs like Nash (In Foster) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Shetland Sheepdogs, 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.

    The Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu is the name of another Shetland Sheepdog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs and Whippets that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog versus the Intelligence of the Whippet

    Shetland Sheepdog Whippet
    Intelligence Rank 6 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Whippet. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Whippet

    Popularity of Whippet

    Year Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank Whippet Popularity Rank
    2013 21 59
    2014 21 56
    2015 23 57
    2016 24 60
    2017 24 61
    2018 25 61
    2019 25 57
    2020 27 59

    Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Shetland Sheepdog while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Shetland Sheepdogs and in Whippets.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

    Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs 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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Whippets here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 3 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 7 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 17 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 108 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 162 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 191 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Shetland Sheepdog and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet:

    Disease Shetland Sheepdog Rank Whippet Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 3 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 4 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 5 out of 115 dog breeds 108 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 6 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 6 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 46 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 89 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 101 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 122 out of 182 dog breeds 162 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 166 out of 198 dog breeds 191 out of 198 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 3 out of 71 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 7 out of 159 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: Shetland Sheepdog versus Whippet

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Whippets do not like to be left alone.

    Do Shetland Sheepdogs shed more than Whippets?

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Whippet

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Whippet?

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Whippets are very easy to groom.

    Does the Shetland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shetland Sheepdog vs. Whippet

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog or the Whippet?

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Whippets get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Shetland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Whippets?

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdogs and Whippets?

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Whippet?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Whippets are very easy to train.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Whippet?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Whippets are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog:

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Whippet vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Whippet vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • 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:

  • Ibizan Hound (86 percent match with Whippet). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Italian Greyhound (78 percent match with Whippet). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Italian Greyhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Shetland Sheepdog and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog and of the Whippet to other breeds:

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Goldendoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cavapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Newfoundland     Shetland Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Welsh Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cairn Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Affenpinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Golden Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus French Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus French Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Finnish Spitz     Shetland Sheepdog versus Golden Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pointer     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sheepadoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Shiba Inu     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sealyham Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Chinook     Shetland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomeranian     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bracco Italiano     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bernedoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     

    Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Whippet versus Goldador     Whippet versus Standard Schnauzer     Whippet versus Komondor     Whippet versus Korean Jindo Dog     Whippet versus Fila Brasileiro     Whippet versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Whippet versus Xoloitzcuintli     Whippet versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Whippet versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Whippet versus Chihuahua     Whippet versus Dachshund     Whippet versus Lakeland Terrier     Whippet versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Whippet versus Cesky Terrier     Whippet versus Chihuahua     Whippet versus Berger Picard     Whippet versus Weimaraner     Whippet versus Saint Berdoodle     Whippet versus Cairn Terrier     Whippet versus Samoyed     Whippet versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Whippet versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Whippet versus Swedish Vallhund     Whippet versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Whippet versus Kishu Ken     

    Conclusion: Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Whippet better suits you and your family.