PuppyBase

Dachshund vs Whippet

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Dachshund vs Whippet

You’re probably comparing a Dachshund and a Whippet because both are sleek, smallish hounds that curl up on the couch like they own it. They’re quiet in their own ways, don’t shed much, and fit in apartments. But that’s where the surface similarities end. Underneath, they’re built for entirely different lives. and different kinds of people. The Dachshund is a tiny tank with a big-dog attitude. Bred to go underground after badgers, they’re fearless, loud, and stubborn. They’ll bark at the mailman, the squirrel, and their own shadow. They bond fiercely with their people and can be sweet with older kids, but their fragile backs mean no jumping on the sofa and definitely no stair climbing. You’ll need to manage their weight and their willfulness. They’re smart and trainable, but they’ll argue with you every step of the way. The Whippet is the athlete. Lean, fast, and surprisingly gentle, they’re sprinters by nature but couch potatoes by choice. They won’t bark much. maybe a polite woof. but they will chase anything that moves, so a secure yard is non-negotiable. They’re soft-hearted and great with kids, but they spook easily and hate cold weather. Training is hit-or-miss; they’re not defiant, just distractible. Pick the Dachshund if you want personality in a small package and don’t mind a bossy little companion. Pick the Whippet if you want a quiet, affectionate shadow who’ll join your jogs and nap longer than you do. Here’s the real talk: Dachshunds think they’re bigger than they are. Whippets know they’re delicate. and act like it when the wind picks up.

Dachshund
Whippet
5–9 in
Height
18–22 in
11–32 lb
Weight
25–40 lb
12–16 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#12
AKC popularity
#61

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Dachshund Whippet
Overlay

Where they diverge

Barking Level
Whippet barks less (4-point difference)
Whippet
Good with Young Children
Whippet is better with kids (2-point difference)
Whippet
Good with Other Dogs
Whippet is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
Whippet
Coat Grooming
Whippet needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Whippet
Drooling Level
Whippet drools less (1-point difference)
Whippet
The verdict

Choose the Dachshund if…

  • Apartment living
  • Singles and couples
  • Families with older children
  • You value barking levelDachshund scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Whippet if…

  • Apartment living (if exercised)
  • Families with older children
  • Runners and joggers
  • You value good with young childrenWhippet scores higher here.
Dachshund Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Dachshund home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Whippet Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Whippet home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run