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

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Afghan Hound Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart 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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart.

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 Hovawart.

Afghan Hound versus Hovawart: Overview

Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are similar in size. The Afghan Hound and the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart

Factor Afghan Hound Hovawart
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 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 29 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2290 No Data
Price Range $1912 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 72.7 percent 91.7 percent
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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Hovawart is not better or worse than the Afghan Hound. So, you can get the Hovawart or 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart

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

    • Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Hovawarts are very easy to groom.
    • Afghan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart

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

    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are not easy to train.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are very playful.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Afghan Hound versus Hovawart

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

    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, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afghan Hound versus Hovawart

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

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Hovawarts live longer than Afghan Hounds.

    Temperament of the Afghan Hound Versus the Hovawart

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Afghan Hound and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 165 Afghan Hounds and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Hovawart

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Hovawart

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Hovawart?

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

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    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.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

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

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

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Hovawart. 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 Hovawart better suits you and your family.