Whippet vs Greyhound: Which Sighthound Is Better for Apartments?

Whippets and Greyhounds have plenty in common. They’re both speedy sighthounds with short coats, gentle temperaments and a knack for going from full zoomies to sofa mode remarkably quickly.

The biggest difference is size. Whippets are considerably smaller, which can make life easier when space is tight. Greyhounds take up more room, but their size doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll spend all day charging around your home.

If you’re comparing a Whippet vs Greyhound for apartment living, floor space is only one part of the picture. Exercise, noise, stairs, toilet access, time alone and how well the individual dog settles indoors, all matter too.

Whippets tend to have the edge for smaller apartments because they’re considerably smaller, adaptable and generally quiet indoors once their needs are met. Greyhounds can also make surprisingly good apartment companions because many settle well after exercise, but you’ll need more room for beds, movement and day-to-day living. For either breed, access to outdoor space and the individual dog’s ability to settle matter more than square footage alone.

• Whippets are much smaller. The Royal Kennel Club gives a desirable adult height of 47–51 cm for male Whippets and 44–47 cm for females, compared with an ideal 71–76 cm for male Greyhounds and 69–71 cm for females.

• Both are sighthounds, so a strong instinct to chase moving animals can affect recall and life with smaller pets.

• Both have short, fine coats, making routine grooming fairly straightforward.

• Whippets are easier to accommodate physically in smaller homes, cars and communal spaces simply because there’s less dog.

• A Greyhound’s larger size doesn’t automatically mean higher indoor energy. The Royal Kennel Club lists up to one hour of daily exercise for both breeds.

Whippets and Greyhounds are closely connected, but they haven’t always done exactly the same job.

Greyhound-type dogs have a very long history as hunting sighthounds, using their vision and speed to pursue prey. The modern Greyhound was developed in Britain and later became closely associated with racing.

Whippets came later. The Royal Kennel Club notes that genetic studies have linked their origins to Greyhounds, with Whippet-type dogs becoming a recognisable breed by the 19th century. They were used for hunting small game before Whippet racing became popular, particularly in mining communities in northern England and Wales.

That shared history still shows. Put either dog somewhere secure with enough space to run, and you’ll quickly remember why they’re called sighthounds.

Greyhounds are considerably taller and larger than Whippets, making the Whippet the easier of the two to physically accommodate in a small apartment.

The Royal Kennel Club’s breed standard puts desirable male Whippet height at 47–51 cm and females at 44–47 cm. Greyhounds are much taller, with ideal heights of 71–76 cm for males and 69–71 cm for females.

That difference follows you around the home. A Greyhound needs a bigger bed, takes up more space in the hallway and needs more room to turn around comfortably. Transport can be trickier too.

A Whippet’s smaller size makes those everyday details easier. If your flat is genuinely compact, that may be enough to swing the decision.

Both breeds tend to be gentle and affectionate, so temperament alone may not decide the comparison. Whippets have the advantage of being smaller and highly adaptable, while Greyhounds are known for an even temperament despite their much larger frame.

The Royal Kennel Club describes Whippets as gentle, affectionate and even in disposition, while Greyhounds are described as intelligent, gentle, affectionate and even-tempered.

That’s good news if you’re picturing a peaceful evening rather than a four-legged wrecking ball bouncing off the furniture.

Of course, breed standards describe tendencies rather than guarantees. A young Whippet may be much busier than an older Greyhound, and a rescue Greyhound who’s never lived in a conventional home may need time to get used to everyday sights and sounds.

For apartment living, look at the dog in front of you. Their age, previous home, confidence and ability to switch off indoors may tell you more than breed alone.

Neither Whippets nor Greyhounds are untrainable, but their sighthound instincts can make recall one of the trickier parts of ownership.

Both breeds were developed to notice movement and chase. That’s brilliant when you’re built to pursue prey at speed. It’s less convenient when something furry disappears across the park.

Reward-based training, recall foundations, and secure opportunities to run can make life much easier. Don’t confuse independence with a lack of intelligence either. A dog can understand exactly what you’re asking and still find the squirrel more interesting.

Whippets may be physically easier for less experienced owners to manage because they’re smaller. Greyhounds bring considerably more dog to the end of the lead, although many are gentle walkers once they’ve settled and had appropriate training.

There isn’t a huge difference on paper. The Royal Kennel Club lists up to one hour of daily exercise for both Whippets and Greyhounds, although individual needs will vary.

Whippets are active dogs who enjoy getting out, sniffing, exploring and having the chance to run somewhere secure. PDSA recommends at least an hour of daily exercise, split across walks, alongside play and training.

Greyhounds may surprise people here. Their size and racing reputation can make them look like they’ll need hours of running every day, but they’re sprinters rather than endless-mileage machines.

That makes both breeds potentially workable for apartment life. The catch is that living in a flat doesn’t remove their need to get outside. If there’s no garden, every toilet break, walk and sniff around the block becomes part of your routine.

Neither should keep you chained to the grooming brush. Whippets and Greyhounds both have short coats and fairly straightforward grooming routines.

The Royal Kennel Club lists weekly grooming for Whippets, and PDSA says a weekly brush is usually enough. Greyhounds have a similarly fine, close coat.

Both can shed, though, so short-haired doesn’t mean hair-free. You’ll still find some evidence of them around the home.

Their lean builds and fine coats also mean warmth and comfort deserve a bit of thought. Soft bedding gives prominent joints somewhere comfortable to rest, while some dogs appreciate a coat when the temperature drops.

If grooming time is the deciding factor, there’s very little between them.

Both can suit family homes, but children need to understand how to interact gently with them, and smaller pets need more careful consideration.

Whippets are often gentle family companions, although their sensitive nature can make a calmer household a good fit. Greyhounds can be similarly affectionate and easy-going.

Young children and dogs should always be supervised together. With a Greyhound, their extra height and size are worth bearing in mind even when they’re being perfectly friendly.

Cats and smaller animals are a different question. Both breeds can have a strong urge to chase. Some individual Whippets and Greyhounds live happily with cats, particularly when they’ve got the right history and introductions. Others won’t be a safe match.

Ask what that particular dog’s used to rather than assuming they’ll be fine because another Whippet or Greyhound you know lives with a cat.

Both can live in a flat, but Whippets are physically easier to accommodate. Greyhounds can still make good flat companions when there’s enough room and their exercise and toilet needs are properly covered.

This is where the Whippet gets the clearest win. Their smaller body makes beds, hallways, lifts, cars and narrow spaces easier to navigate.

Greyhounds need more floor space, and stairs deserve thought. A retired racing Greyhound may have little experience of domestic stairs or slippery flooring, so don’t assume they’ll stroll into a third-floor flat and immediately know the drill.

Noise matters too. Whippets aren’t generally known as particularly vocal dogs, which can be handy when your neighbours are on the other side of the wall.

As for being left alone, neither breed comes with a guaranteed number of hours. Build alone time gradually and consider age, health, previous experience and how comfortable they are in the home.

Whippets and Greyhounds share some practical care considerations because of their lean sighthound builds, but their health profiles aren’t identical.

Greyhound health has particularly useful UK evidence behind it. An RVC VetCompass study involving 5,419 Greyhounds found dental disease in 39% of the Greyhounds studied. Overgrown nails, wounds, osteoarthritis and claw injuries were also among the commonly recorded conditions.

That doesn’t mean 39% of every future Greyhound population will develop dental disease. It tells us dental health deserves particular attention in this breed based on a large UK veterinary dataset.

Whippet health needs its own evidence rather than simply borrowing the Greyhound profile. PDSA highlights eye conditions, mitral valve disease and immune-mediated problems among conditions prospective owners should be aware of.

At Waggel, we believe in using real-world data to help pet parents make informed decisions. By analysing our internal claims data, we’ve uncovered fascinating differences between two of the most popular sighthound breeds: the Whippet and the Greyhound. While they share a similar silhouette, their health journeys and associated costs tell two very different stories.

The cost of care: Whippets vs. Greyhounds

Contrary to what their size might suggest, Whippets often incur higher average veterinary expenses than their larger Greyhound cousins. Our data highlights the following cost benchmarks:

• Whippets: Average claim cost of £438.53 with a median of £181.61.

• Greyhounds: Average claim cost of £421.17 with a median of £148.91.

While Greyhounds saw the highest individual peak claim at £7,742.94, the consistent frequency of slightly higher mid-range costs for Whippets makes them the more expensive breed to insure on average.

Distinct breed risks

The types of claims submitted also reveal distinct lifestyle and biological risks for each breed:

• Greyhound health focus: These dogs are heavily prone to musculoskeletal issues. Injury-related claims account for 29.5% of their total, with Lameness and Arthritis topping the list of conditions.

• Whippet health focus: Whippets show a higher propensity for accidents (6.7%) and behavioural issues (5.7%). They also face specific breed risks like Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) and a notable tendency for toxic ingestion.

The takeaway

Whether you choose the high-speed Greyhound or the spirited Whippet, Lifetime cover is essential. Greyhounds may require more support for joint health as they age, while Whippet owners should remain vigilant regarding accidents and autoimmune concerns. Understanding these trends allows you to tailor your pet’s environment and preventative care to their specific breed needs.

About this insight: This data is based on Waggel’s internal insurance claims records. Please note that individual pet health varies significantly, and this information should not replace professional veterinary advice.

Greyhounds are likely to cost more in some everyday areas simply because they’re bigger, but there’s no sensible one-size-fits-all total.

They may eat more and need larger beds, coats, harnesses and travel equipment. Whippets generally need smaller versions of the same things, which can make everyday ownership a little easier on both space and budget.

Neither has a coat that normally requires regular professional grooming, which keeps one recurring expense relatively modest.

Vet costs are much harder to predict. Rather than relying on a made-up lifetime total, budget for routine care and think about how you’d manage an unexpected bill.

Insurance pricing can depend on breed, age and individual circumstances, so a Whippet and Greyhound won’t necessarily receive the same quote.

If insurance forms part of your ownership planning, check Waggel’s current eligibility criteria and policy wording before bringing your dog home. Don’t assume a particular treatment or condition will be covered without checking the policy terms.

For most genuinely small apartments, the Whippet gets our vote. They give you much of the gentle, sofa-loving sighthound appeal in a considerably smaller package. Beds take up less floor space, lifts and stairs are easier to navigate, and getting them into the car doesn’t require quite as much planning.

That doesn’t make Greyhounds a bad choice for flat living. Far from it. If your apartment has enough room for a large dog, outdoor access is easy, and you’re happy to organise regular walks and toilet trips, a Greyhound can settle beautifully.

Before choosing either, look beyond the floor plan. Where will they toilet? Are there several flights of stairs? Where can they run safely? How much time will they spend alone? And, most importantly, what’s the individual dog already comfortable with?

The Whippet wins on practicality. The right Greyhound can still be very happy calling an apartment home.

Is a Whippet or Greyhound better for a flat?

Whippets have the practical advantage because they’re much smaller, while still tending to be gentle and adaptable at home. Greyhounds can live happily in flats too, provided there’s enough space for them to move and rest comfortably and their outdoor needs are met.

Is a Whippet smaller than a Greyhound?

Yes, considerably. The Royal Kennel Club gives desirable Whippet heights of 44–51 cm depending on sex, while the ideal Greyhound range is 69–76 cm.

Does a Greyhound need more exercise than a Whippet?

Not necessarily. The Royal Kennel Club lists up to one hour per day for both breeds. The type of activity, opportunity to explore and individual dog matter just as much as counting minutes.

Which is calmer, a Whippet or Greyhound?

Both can be wonderfully calm indoors once their needs are met. Age makes a difference too, so an adult Greyhound may be much more settled than a young Whippet who’s currently discovering the joy of zooming around the living room.

Do Whippets and Greyhounds bark a lot?

Whippets aren’t generally known for excessive barking, although any dog can become vocal through excitement, boredom or distress. Greyhound vocalisation also varies between individuals. If you share walls with neighbours, ask a rescue or breeder about the particular dog rather than relying on breed reputation alone.

Can Whippets and Greyhounds live with cats?

Some can, but you shouldn’t assume either breed will be safe with cats or smaller pets. Both are sighthounds with an instinct to chase. Previous experience, individual behaviour and careful introductions should guide the decision.

Which is easier for a first-time owner?

A Whippet may be physically easier to manage because they’re smaller, but neither breed is automatically beginner-proof. Recall, sensitivity and chasing behaviour still need thoughtful training and management.

Can a Greyhound manage apartment stairs?

Many can, but previous experience matters. Some retired racing Greyhounds may not have encountered ordinary household stairs before, so they may need patient, gradual help learning how to use them safely.