Whippet vs Greyhound: cost, health and care compared
The Whippet and the Greyhound side by side: size, care needs, health issues and what each costs to keep.
Last updated: October 2026 · 6 sources · see sources
Side by side
| Whippet | Greyhound | |
|---|---|---|
| AKC group | Hound Group [2] | Hound Group [3] |
| Weight | 25-40 pounds [2] | 65-70 pounds (male), 60-65 pounds (female) [3] |
| Height | 19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female) [2] | 28-30 inches (male), 27-28 inches (female) [3] |
| Life expectancy | 12–15+ years [2] | 10–13+ years [3] |
| Energy (AKC rating) | 4 of 5 [2] | 4 of 5 [3] |
| Shedding (AKC rating) | 2 of 5 [2] | 2 of 5 [3] |
| Grooming needs (AKC rating) | 1 of 5 [2] | 1 of 5 [3] |
| Good with young kids (AKC rating) | 5 of 5 [2] | 3 of 5 [3] |
| Barking (AKC rating) | 1 of 5 [2] | 3 of 5 [3] |
| AKC popularity, 2025 | No. 48 [4] | No. 151 [4] |
| Health issues to know | Inherited eye disease, Heart disease, Congenital deafness See health costs | Inherited eye disease, Heart disease, Bloat See health costs |
| Typical vet bill | $239 – $1,107 (medium dogs, median $482) [5] | $308 – $1,224 (large dogs, median $640) [5] |
| Yearly cost estimate | $880–$1,400 [1] | $880–$1,500 [1] |
| Rough lifetime cost | $10,500–$20,400 | $8,800–$19,700 |
About the cost numbers
The yearly estimate starts with the ASPCA's yearly cost of care and, at the high end, adds one typical vet bill for the breed's size. [1] The lifetime figure is that yearly range times the life expectancy. It is simple math on sourced numbers, before inflation and before any major illness, not a quote.
For each breed's health risks and what they cost to treat, see Whippet health problems and costs and Greyhound health problems and costs.
Insurance and savings
Breed matters less than timing for insurance. The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in 2025. [6] Conditions found before you enroll are usually excluded, so many owners sign up while their pet is young. Some prefer a savings fund instead; see insurance vs savings.
Common questions
Which costs more, the Whippet or the Greyhound?
Expect to spend a bit more each year on the Greyhound ($880–$1,500 vs $880–$1,400), mostly because bigger dogs have bigger vet bills.
Which lives longer, the Whippet or the Greyhound?
The AKC gives the Whippet a life expectancy of 12–15+ years and the Greyhound 10–13+ years. Individual pets vary a lot.
What health problems do the Whippet and Greyhound have?
Whippet: Inherited eye disease, Heart disease and Congenital deafness. Greyhound: Inherited eye disease, Heart disease and Bloat.
Which is better with kids, the Whippet or the Greyhound?
The AKC rates the Whippet 5 of 5 and the Greyhound 3 of 5 for being good with young children. Training, supervision and the individual dog matter more than the breed average.
Related
This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.