Azawakh vs Whippet

An Azawakh
Photo: Cristian.vantu
A Whippet
Photo: Berikande

Side by side

Azawakh
Whippet
Adult weight
Males 20–25 kg (44–55 lb); females 15–20 kg (33–44 lb) (breed club figure)1
11–18 kg (25–40 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
No sourced figure
Males 47–51 cm; females 44–47 cm (breed club figure)2
Lifespan
No sourced figure
Median 13.4 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Sighthounds5
Sighthounds6
Coat
Short coat5
Short coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
No sourced figure
Blood-vessel cancer of the skin (more likely); Gum disease (slightly more likely)7,8
Class
Companion
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Azawakh is larger on average: about 20 kg (44 lb) as an adult, against 15 kg (32 lb) for the Whippet.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Azawakh: likes its own space; Whippet: a lap or leaning dog) and on handler demand (Azawakh: needs an experienced owner; Whippet: suits a first-time owner).
Alike
Both are rated the same on sensitivity: needs a calm, predictable home.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Azawakh
Sighthounds · Medium

In temperament the breed is aloof and watchful with strangers but loyal and affectionate with its own household. It makes an alert guard and bonds closely with its own people.

Whippet
Sighthounds · Medium

Indoors the Whippet is usually quiet, gentle and fond of comfort, and it often seeks out soft bedding and close contact with its people.

The Azawakh page →The Whippet page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Azawakh
Whippet
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Azawakh
Whippet
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Azawakh
Whippet
Sensitivity
Needs a calm, predictable home
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Quiet
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Azawakh grows to the heavier adult, about 20 kg against the Whippet's 15 kg.
Azawakh
Whippet
01020302m4m6m9m12m18m
01020302m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Azawakh with
Italian Greyhound vs WhippetGreyhound vs WhippetAzawakh vs GreyhoundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·