Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Shiloh Shepherd Versus Whippet: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd or the Whippet.

Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet: Overview

A very important difference between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shiloh Shepherd is a giant-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet

Factor Shiloh Shepherd Whippet
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Height 26 to 30 inches 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 80 to 130 pounds 18 to 48 pounds
Life Span 9 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2600
Average Price No Data $2120
Temperament Score 80.8 percent 86.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet

    Below is a list of where the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are most different:

  • Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Whippets adapt well to apartment living.
  • Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Whippets have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Shiloh Shepherds gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Whippets are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Shiloh Shepherds 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.
  • Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate cold weather. However, Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet

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

  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are very easy to train.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet.

    Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches 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 Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

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

    Whippets live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Whippet has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 26 Shiloh Shepherds and 203 Whippets.

    Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Whippet than for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    4 health tests are recommended for Shiloh Shepherd while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Shiloh Shepherds and in Whippets.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 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 Shiloh Shepherd and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet:

    Disease Shiloh Shepherd Rank Whippet Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 39 out of 159 dog breeds 7 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 40 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 42 out of 198 dog breeds 191 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 52 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 97 out of 115 dog breeds 108 out of 115 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
    Eyes problems Not Common 162 out of 182 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: Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Whippets do not like to be left alone.

    Do Shiloh Shepherds shed more than Whippets?

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherd or the Whippet

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shiloh Shepherd or the Whippet?

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Whippets are very easy to groom.

    Does the Shiloh Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?

    Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Shiloh Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Shiloh Shepherd vs. Whippet

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Whippets can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shiloh Shepherd or the Whippet?

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Whippets get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Shiloh Shepherds good family dogs? What about Whippets?

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds and Whippets?

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Shiloh Shepherd Easier to Train than the Whippet?

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Whippets are very easy to train.

    Is the Shiloh Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shiloh Shepherd or the Whippet?

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Whippets are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Whippet vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Whippet vs Labrador Retriever.
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Italian Greyhound (78 percent match with Whippet). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Italian Greyhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Vizsla     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shiba Inu     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shiranian     Shiloh Shepherd versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cockalier     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Cocker Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Afador     Shiloh Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Toy Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Leonberger     Shiloh Shepherd versus Airedale Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Weimaraner     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lhasa Apso     Shiloh Shepherd versus Border Collie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Boston Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Gordon Setter     Shiloh Shepherd versus Borzoi     

    Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Whippet versus Scottish Deerhound     Whippet versus Azawakh     Whippet versus Shetland Sheepdog     Whippet versus Black Russian Terrier     Whippet versus Miniature Poodle     Whippet versus Maltese     Whippet versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Whippet versus Toy Fox Terrier     Whippet versus Carolina Dog     Whippet versus Morkie     Whippet versus Norwegian Buhund     Whippet versus Labrador Retriever     Whippet versus Clumber Spaniel     Whippet versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Whippet versus French Bulldog     Whippet versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Whippet versus Boykin Spaniel     Whippet versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Whippet versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Whippet versus Affenpinscher     Whippet versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Whippet versus Canaan Dog     Whippet versus Morkie     Whippet versus Irish Water Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd and the Whippet better suits you and your family.