A Detailed Comparison of the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

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Afghan Hound Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog? 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Afghan Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog.

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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Afghan Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Factor Afghan Hound Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
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 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 34 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 80 to 220 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2290 $2110
Price Range $1912 – $2500 $1500 – $2500
Temperament Score 72.7 percent 85.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Afghan Hound is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most different:

    • Afghan Hounds do not have the tendency to drool. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Afghan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Afghan Hounds 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. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
    • Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Afghan Hounds have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.

    The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most similar:

    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are not easy to train.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very playful.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Size Comparison of Afghan Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    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, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afghan Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is 11.0 years.

    Temperament of the Afghan Hound Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 percent while the temperament score for the Afghan Hound is 72.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 72.7 percent, the Afghan Hound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 165 Afghan Hounds and 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2290. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $1912 – $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 14 Afghan Hound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 33 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Afghan Hound and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Afghan Hound.

    3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 7 tests are recommended for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Afghan Hound Health Problems

    Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Afghan Hounds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    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.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.