Is the Afghan Hound Better than the Akita Chow as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Afghan Hound Versus Akita Chow: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afghan Hound and for the Akita Chow. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afghan Hound or the Akita Chow.

Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow: Overview

Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are similar in size. The Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Afghan Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Akita Chow belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Akita Chow based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow

Factor Afghan Hound Akita Chow
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 25 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 88 to 145 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2290 No Data
Price Range $1912 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afghan Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Akita Chow. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Akita Chow is 55 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Afghan Hound is a better pet than the Akita Chow. So, you should get the Afghan Hound!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow

    Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are most different:

    • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Akita Chows gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Afghan Hounds get along well with other dogs. However, Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Afghan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather. However, Akita Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family. However, Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
    • Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Akita Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow

    The Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are most similar:

    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are not easy to train.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow.

    Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Akita Chows weigh 88 to 145 pounds when fully grown. Akita Chows are 23 to 25 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow

    The lifespan of Afghan Hounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Afghan Hounds is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Akita Chows is between 10 to 12 years . The average lifespan of Akita Chows is 11.0 years.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Akita Chows do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Akita Chows?

    Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Akita Chows shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Akita Chow

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Akita Chows drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Akita Chow?

    Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Akita Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Akita Chow?

    Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Akita Chows have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Akita Chows?

    Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Akita Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Akita Chows Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Akita Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Akita Chow

    Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Akita Chows have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Akita Chows Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Akita Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Akita Chow?

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Akita Chows?

    Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Akita Chows?

    Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Akita Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Akita Chow?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Akita Chows are not easy to train.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Akita Chow?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Akita Chow?

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Akita Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afghan Hound and the Akita Chow better suits you and your family.