Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Spinone Italiano Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Spinone Italiano versus Whippet: Overview
- Spinone Italiano versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Spinone Italiano versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Spinone Italiano versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Whippet
- Price of Spinone Italiano versus Price of Whippet
- The Popularity of Spinone Italiano versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of Spinone Italiano versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Spinone Italiano versus Whippet
- Do Spinone Italianos shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Spinone Italiano or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Spinone Italiano or the Whippet?
- Does the Spinone Italiano Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Spinone Italianos Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Spinone Italiano vs. Whippet
- Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Spinone Italiano or the Whippet?
- Are Spinone Italianos good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Spinone Italianos and Whippets?
- Is the Spinone Italiano Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Spinone Italiano versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Spinone Italiano Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano or the Whippet.
Spinone Italiano versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Spinone Italiano versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Whippet
| Factor | Spinone Italiano | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 22 to 28 inches | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 61 to 86 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1000 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 50.0 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 112 | 58 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 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 not better or worse than the Spinone Italiano. So, you can get the Whippet or the Spinone Italiano!
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 Spinone Italiano and the Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet
Below is a list of where the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet
The Spinone Italiano and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Spinone Italiano versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet.
Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 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 Spinone Italiano versus Whippet
The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than Spinone Italianos.
Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Whippet
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 6 Spinone Italianos and 203 Whippets.
Price of Spinone Italiano versus Price of Whippet
The average price of the Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of a Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano.
| Spinone Italiano | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1000 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Spinone Italiano and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Spinone Italiano puppies or how many Whippet puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos. 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Popularity of Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Spinone Italiano
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 117 | 59 |
| 2014 | 118 | 56 |
| 2015 | 112 | 57 |
| 2016 | 105 | 60 |
| 2017 | 111 | 61 |
| 2018 | 109 | 61 |
| 2019 | 116 | 57 |
| 2020 | 110 | 59 |
Health Problems of Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Spinone Italiano.
5 health tests are recommended for Spinone Italiano while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Spinone Italianos and in Whippets.
Spinone Italiano Health Problems
Spinone Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Spinone Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Spinone Italiano and the Whippet:
| Disease | Spinone Italiano Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder problems | 5 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 16 out of 115 dog breeds | 108 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 20 out of 159 dog breeds | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 61 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 77 out of 198 dog breeds | 191 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 164 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 |
*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: Spinone Italiano versus Whippet
Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Spinone Italianos shed more than Whippets?
Spinone Italianos shed moderately.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Spinone Italiano or the Whippet
Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Spinone Italiano or the Whippet?
Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Spinone Italiano Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Spinone Italiano vs. Whippet
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano or the Whippet?
Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Spinone Italianos good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos and Whippets?
Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Spinone Italiano Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Spinone Italiano Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Spinone Italiano or the Whippet?
Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.
Whippets are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano:
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 Spinone Italiano and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Spinone Italiano and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds
Spinone Italiano versus Aussiedoodle Spinone Italiano versus Spanish Mastiff Spinone Italiano versus Welsh Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Borzoi Spinone Italiano versus Redbone Coonhound Spinone Italiano versus Lancashire Heeler Spinone Italiano versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Fila Brasileiro Spinone Italiano versus Westiepoo Spinone Italiano versus Komondor Spinone Italiano versus Field Spaniel Spinone Italiano versus Saluki Spinone Italiano versus Basenji Spinone Italiano versus Affenhuahua Spinone Italiano versus Vizsla Spinone Italiano versus Pharaoh Hound Spinone Italiano versus Bearded Collie Spinone Italiano versus Briard Spinone Italiano versus Berger Picard Spinone Italiano versus Lhasapoo Spinone Italiano versus Dogue de Bordeaux Spinone Italiano versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Spinone Italiano versus Shiba Inu Spinone Italiano versus Cavachon Spinone Italiano versus Shetland Sheepdog
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Ibizan Hound Whippet versus Jack Russell Terrier Whippet versus Standard Poodle Whippet versus Frenchton Whippet versus Saint Bernard Whippet versus Boykin Spaniel Whippet versus Cavachon Whippet versus Dachshund Whippet versus Boxerdoodle Whippet versus Azawakh Whippet versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Whippet versus Chinook Whippet versus Dogo Argentino Whippet versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Whippet versus Bull Terrier Whippet versus Scottish Terrier Whippet versus Saint Berdoodle Whippet versus American Foxhound Whippet versus Hovawart Whippet versus Standard Schnauzer Whippet versus French Bulldog Whippet versus Norfolk Terrier Whippet versus French Bulldog Whippet versus Pyrenean Shepherd Whippet versus Rottweiler
Conclusion: Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Whippet better suits you and your family.