If you’ve ever spotted a slender, deer-like dog sprinting across a park and thought “is that a Whippet or an Italian Greyhound?” — you’re not alone. These two sighthound breeds get mixed up constantly. And honestly, I get it. They share that same elegant, aerodynamic build and those soulful dark eyes that make you want to hand over your entire couch.
But here’s the thing: once you’ve spent real time with both breeds, the whippet vs italian greyhound differences become pretty obvious. One is a sturdy, mid-sized athlete. The other is a tiny, trembling drama queen who’ll burrow under your blankets and refuse to go outside if it’s drizzling. I say that with absolute love — my friend Lisa has owned three Iggies and she’d agree with every word.
Choosing between them comes down to your lifestyle, your tolerance for certain… quirks, and whether you have young kids at home. Let me break it all down.
Two Elegant Sighthounds — But Very Different Dogs
Both breeds descend from ancient sighthound lineage — dogs bred to hunt by sight and speed rather than scent. They share that classic deep chest, tucked waist, and long legs built for sprinting. But that’s roughly where the similarities end.
The Whippet was developed in Northern England as a racing and rabbit-hunting dog for working-class families. Think of them as the “poor man’s Greyhound.” The Italian Greyhound, on the other hand, has been a companion dog for over 2,000 years, favoured by Renaissance nobility. One was bred to work. The other was bred to sit on a velvet cushion. And you can still see that difference today.
Size and Build Comparison
This is the most immediate distinction and it matters more than people realize. We’re not talking about a small size gap here.
| Feature | Whippet | Italian Greyhound |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 18–22 inches | 13–15 inches |
| Weight | 25–40 lbs | 7–14 lbs |
| Build | Medium, muscular | Toy, fine-boned |
| Top Speed | ~35 mph | ~25 mph |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 13–15 years |
| AKC Group | Hound | Toy |
Whippet: The Medium Sighthound (25-40 lbs)
Whippets are proper medium-sized dogs. When people meet one in person for the first time, they’re often surprised — photos can make them look smaller than they are. A male Whippet at 40 pounds is a solid, muscular dog. You can feel the power when they lean against your legs (and they will lean against your legs constantly).
Their bones are sturdy enough for normal rough-and-tumble dog life. Kids can pet them without you holding your breath. They can jump on and off furniture without incident. They’re athletes — built to hit 35 mph and take the physical demands of doing so.
Italian Greyhound: The Toy Sighthound (7-14 lbs)
Italian Greyhounds are tiny. A 9-pound IG has legs that look like they’d snap if you looked at them wrong. And unfortunately, that’s not far from the truth — but more on that in the health section.
Everything about them is miniaturized and delicate. Their skulls are narrow, their paws are small, their skin is thin. Picking one up feels like holding a bird. They’re undeniably beautiful little dogs, but that fragility is something you need to take seriously. This isn’t a dog you can be casual with.
Temperament and Personality
Both breeds are affectionate to the point of being ridiculous. But the flavour of that affection is different.
Whippet: Calm, Adaptable, and Surprisingly Sturdy
Whippets are the introverts of the dog world. They’re quiet, gentle, and perfectly happy to spend 20 hours a day sleeping on your sofa. Seriously — they’re sometimes called “the 40-mph couch potato” and it’s completely accurate.
They’re adaptable enough for apartment living as long as they get their daily sprint. They’re good with older children. They rarely bark (a genuine perk if you have neighbours). And they’ve got this calm, almost cat-like independence that makes them surprisingly easy to live with.
Don’t mistake that calmness for aloofness though. Whippets bond deeply with their people. They just don’t need to be physically attached to you at every moment.
Italian Greyhound: Clingy, Fragile, and Mischievous
Iggies are… a lot. In the best possible way, but still — a lot.
If a Whippet is an introvert, an Italian Greyhound is that friend who texts you twelve times when you don’t reply within five minutes. They are velcro dogs taken to the absolute extreme. They want to be on you, under your clothes if possible, touching skin at all times. My friend Lisa’s IG literally tries to climb inside her jumper while she’s wearing it.
They’re also mischievous in a way Whippets aren’t. IGs will counter-surf (yes, a 10-pound dog can get onto your kitchen counter — they’re incredible jumpers), steal food, and get into things you didn’t think were accessible. They have this wild, impish energy that’s hilarious until they break something. Or break themselves.
And they’re sensitive. Harsh corrections don’t work. Raised voices can make them shut down completely. You need patience with this breed — real patience.
Prey Drive in Both Breeds
Both breeds will chase small animals. Period. Squirrel? Gone. Cat running across the garden? They’re locked on. This is non-negotiable sighthound DNA.
The difference is that a Whippet can actually catch what it chases. At 35 mph, they’re one of the fastest dog breeds alive. An Italian Greyhound at 25 mph is still quick enough to catch a squirrel but less likely to disappear over the horizon.
Neither breed should be trusted off-leash in unfenced areas. I cannot stress this enough. When sighthound prey drive kicks in, recall training goes straight out the window.
Exercise Needs — Sprint Then Sleep
Here’s what surprises people about both breeds: they don’t need marathon exercise sessions. What they need is the chance to sprint.
Twenty to thirty minutes of hard running and both breeds are done for the day. A Whippet might want a second burst in the evening. An Iggy might conk out for the rest of the afternoon after one good zoomie session. Both are genuinely low-maintenance exercise dogs compared to, say, a Border Collie (I had one — trust me, the comparison isn’t even close).
The Zoomies Factor
If you’ve never witnessed sighthound zoomies, you’re missing out. Both breeds get these sudden bursts of insane, flat-out sprinting — usually indoors, usually at the worst possible time. They’ll tear around your living room at full speed, bank off the sofa, and then stop dead and stare at you like nothing happened.
Whippet zoomies are more powerful. Furniture gets moved. Italian Greyhound zoomies are faster relative to their size and accompanied by this ridiculous prancing gait that looks like a tiny horse doing dressage.
Off-Leash Safety Concerns
Both breeds need a securely fenced area for off-leash time. A 4-foot fence won’t cut it for a Whippet — they can clear it without much effort. Six feet is the minimum.
Italian Greyhounds are escape artists in a different way. They can squeeze through gaps you wouldn’t believe. Any fence needs to be checked for holes, and gates need to close fully. Once either breed spots a rabbit and bolts, they’re running on pure instinct. They won’t hear you calling.
Health and Lifespan
This is where the sighthound breed comparison really diverges, and it’s a major factor when deciding between these two.
Whippet Health (One of the Healthiest Breeds)
Whippets are genuinely one of the healthiest purebred dogs you can own. Their genetic disease profile is remarkably clean. The main concerns are minor: the occasional heart murmur, eye issues in some lines, and sensitivity to anaesthesia (common in all sighthounds due to low body fat).
Their 12–15 year lifespan is excellent for a medium-sized dog. Many Whippets stay active and healthy well into their teens. Vet bills tend to be low and predictable. After dealing with breed-specific health nightmares in other dogs, a Whippet’s clean bill of health is genuinely refreshing.
Italian Greyhound Fragility (Broken Legs Are Common)
This is the big one. Broken legs are the number one veterinary visit for Italian Greyhounds, especially in dogs under 2 years old. Their leg bones are thin, fine, and genuinely fragile. A bad jump off the sofa. A toddler stepping on a paw. An awkward landing. That’s all it takes.
Leg breaks in IGs often require surgical repair with pins or plates — we’re talking £2,000–£4,000+ per incident. And some IGs break the same leg twice. Pet insurance is absolutely non-negotiable for this breed.
This fragility is the single biggest reason I hesitate to recommend Italian Greyhounds for families with children under about 8. Kids are clumsy. They fall, they step on things, they pick dogs up wrong. A Whippet can handle that. An Iggy might end up in a cast.
Dental Issues in Italian Greyhounds
Here’s something breeders don’t always mention upfront: Italian Greyhounds have terrible teeth. Many IGs start losing teeth by age 5, even with regular brushing. Their small jaws lead to overcrowding, plaque buildup, and gum disease at rates far higher than most breeds.
You’ll need to brush their teeth daily (good luck — they hate it), schedule professional dental cleanings annually, and budget for potential extractions. Some IG owners spend more on dental care than all other vet costs combined.
Whippets? Normal dog teeth. Brush them regularly and they’re fine. Another point in the Whippet column if you’re keeping score.
Cold Weather and Thin Coats
Both breeds have virtually zero body fat and thin, single-layer coats. Neither handles cold weather well. But the Italian Greyhound’s smaller size means they lose body heat even faster.
Here’s what that means practically: both breeds need coats and jumpers in cold weather. This isn’t a fashion statement. It’s a health necessity. Below about 7°C (45°F), both breeds will shiver, refuse to go outside, and be genuinely uncomfortable.
For Whippets, a good fleece-lined waterproof coat handles most UK weather. Brands like Equafleece and DG DogGear make excellent Whippet-specific options. For Iggies, you’ll want a snood (neck warmer) as well — their thin necks lose heat fast. Many IG owners keep multiple weights of indoor clothing too, because yes, they’ll shiver inside your house in winter.
Budget for at least 3-4 coats per dog. They get wet, they get muddy, and you’ll want options for different temperatures.
Housetraining Challenges (Especially Iggies)
Whippets housetrain at a normal pace. Some are quick learners, some take a few months. Standard stuff.
Italian Greyhounds? Oh boy.
IGs are notoriously difficult to housetrain, and this is the issue that sends more Iggies to rescue than almost anything else. It’s a genuine breed-wide challenge, not just bad training. Their tiny bladders, hatred of cold or wet weather, and stubborn streak create a perfect storm.
Many IG owners report that their dogs are “mostly” housetrained but will still have accidents years into adulthood — especially in winter when the dog simply refuses to go outside. Indoor potty options like litter boxes or pee pads become permanent fixtures in many IG households.
If the idea of a dog that might never be 100% reliable indoors bothers you, the Whippet is the safer bet. Full stop.
Which Sighthound Fits Your Life
So when it comes down to the whippet or italian greyhound better pet question — it depends entirely on your situation.
Choose a Whippet if you:
– Have children under 10
– Want a sturdy, low-maintenance dog
– Prefer predictable vet costs
– Want reliable housetraining
– Have an active outdoor lifestyle
– Don’t want to worry about fragile bones
Choose an Italian Greyhound if you:
– Live in a quiet adult household
– Want a small dog with big personality
– Don’t mind ongoing dental care costs
– Are patient with housetraining
– Want a dog that’s truly pocket-sized
– Love the idea of a constant shadow who’s always touching you
For most people — especially first-time sighthound owners — I’d recommend the Whippet. They give you that graceful sighthound experience with far fewer headaches. They’re healthier, sturdier, easier to train, and better with families. The Italian Greyhound is a wonderful breed, but it demands a specific kind of owner who’s prepared for the challenges.
And honestly? If you fall in love with sighthounds through a Whippet (you will), you can always add an Iggy later when you know what you’re getting into.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Whippets and Italian Greyhounds live together?
Absolutely — they often get along brilliantly. Sighthounds tend to bond well with other sighthounds. Just supervise interactions carefully when the IG is young, since a playful Whippet could accidentally injure a small Italian Greyhound puppy.
Are Italian Greyhounds just small Whippets?
No. Despite looking similar, they’re separate breeds with different histories, temperaments, and health profiles. Italian Greyhounds have been companion dogs for millennia, while Whippets were bred as working racing dogs. The italian greyhound vs whippet size temperament gap is significant in daily life.
Do both breeds shed?
Yes, but minimally. Both have short, fine coats that shed lightly. Neither breed is hypoallergenic, but they’re about as low-shedding as non-hypoallergenic dogs get. A quick weekly brush handles it.
How much do Whippets and Italian Greyhounds cost?
Expect to pay £800–£1,500 for a well-bred Whippet puppy and £1,000–£2,500 for an Italian Greyhound from a reputable breeder. IGs tend to cost more due to smaller litter sizes and higher breeding difficulty. Factor in ongoing costs too — IG dental care and potential fracture treatment adds up.
Can either breed be left alone during work hours?
Neither breed loves being alone, but Whippets handle it better. Most adult Whippets can manage 4–6 hours alone without major anxiety. Italian Greyhounds are more prone to separation anxiety and may become destructive or start having accidents if left too long. Doggy daycare or a pet sitter is worth considering for either breed if you work full days away from home.
Featured Image Source: Pexels
