Whippet vs Italian Greyhound

Whippets love being with people and aren’t shy when greeting visitors at your door or while out on a walk. So, if you’re looking for a guard dog, look elsewhere—Whippets rarely bark, rarely bite and will welcome intruders. They love kids, especially those who treat them with respect (as all children who live with dogs should be taught to do). And because these gentle dogs love people and they’re smaller in size, they make excellent therapy dogs for nursing homes and hospitals.

Because they are so social, the Whippet dog breed may struggle with separation anxiety and may not take to crate training. If you have to be away for several hours, check them into doggy daycare or arrange for a neighbor to stop by and play with them.

Whippet dogs are smart and crave mental stimulation. They’re not as eager to learn as a Border Collie, but they have an instinct for hunting, so they have a natural intelligence when it comes to playing tracking games and giving chase. Pet parents often describe Whippets as clever, bright and quick to learn. As you train them, remember Whippets are soft-natured and have a sensitive side, and these qualities mean they need to be trained with gentleness.

You might be able to teach a Whippet to play nice with cats and other small animals, but they do have the tendency to chase. (They are lovers of a good pursuit after all!) Their instincts can kick in even with a well-known feline.

The Italian Greyhound’s temperament is surprisingly varied. On the one hand, these hounds can really take off with that infamous Greyhound speed when they see a small critter go by or they just have the urge to do some zoomies. But on the other hand, the Italian Greyhound breed also enjoys quality time snoozing on the couch.

These pups are affectionate with loved ones and even a little mischievous (“Oh, you don’t want me to grab these socks you just folded and run around the house with them in my mouth? Huh… OK, then!”). They may take some time to warm up to strangers but are rarely aggressive toward people.

Italian Greyhounds are great with families and do well with kids, as long as they respect the dog’s boundaries. These thin dogs have fragile bodies, and if given the choice between playing tea party or playing soccer, they’re probably going to choose going for a walk instead. (Besides, everyone knows Italian Greyhounds prefer puppacinos, and it’s called football. Sheesh.) For pet parents living in a multi-dog household, Italian Greyhounds are best suited with other small dogs to prevent injuries they could sustain if playing with a large dog.

When it comes to cats, however, it’s a mixed bag. Some Italian Greyhounds may need to be reminded that cats are friends, not food. The prey instinct can be higher in some Italian Greyhounds than others, and if they see Mr. Fluffy as prey rather than pal, they’ll give chase and hunt.

With their humans, though, Italian Greyhounds are affectionate, sweet and gentle, and ready at any time to accompany you on your next adventure, whether it’s a stroll down the street or a siesta in the afternoon.