Differences and Similarities between the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi.

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Afghan Hound Versus Mal Shi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi.

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 Mal Shi

Afghan Hound versus Mal Shi: Overview

A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Mal Shi is a tiny-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 Mal Shi belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offsprings of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds..

Afghan Hound versus Mal Shi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Mal Shi 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.

Factor Afghan Hound Mal Shi
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder From 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 6 to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2390 $1730
Price Range $2250 – $2500 $1300 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    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 Mal Shi. 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 a Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Mal Shi is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi

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

  • Afghan Hounds are not easy to train. However, Mal Shis are very easy to train.
  • Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Afghan Hounds can tolerate cold weather. However, Mal Shis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather. However, Mal Shis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Mal Shis 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 Mal Shi

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

  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi are very playful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Mal Shi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Mal Shi

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

    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, Mal Shis weigh 6 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Mal Shis are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Mal Shi

    The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2390. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $2250 – $2500. However, the price of a Afghan Hound can be as low as $1800 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Afghan Hound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Mal Shi puppy is $1730. The price of the Mal Shi typically ranges from $1300 – $2000. However, the price of a Mal Shi can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 216 Mal Shi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Mal Shi.

    Afghan Hound Mal Shi
    Average Price $2390 $1730
    Price Range $2250 to $2500 $1300 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Mal Shi. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Mal Shi 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 Mal Shis

    A breakdown of the prices of Mal Shis

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Mal Shi 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Mal Shi

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Mal Shi?

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

    Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Mal Shi?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Mal Shi

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Mal Shis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Mal Shis?

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

    Mal Shis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Mal Shis?

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

    Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Mal Shi?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Mal Shis?

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

    Mal Shis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Mal Shis?

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

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mal Shi?

    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.

    Mal Shis 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Mal Shi

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

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mal Shi that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Mal Shi:

  • Peek A Poo (80 percent match with Mal Shi). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mal Shi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Afghan Hound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Afghan Hound:

  • Bedlington Terrier (69 percent match with Afghan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Bedlington Terrier.
  • Standard Schnauzer (72 percent match with Afghan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Standard Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Mal Shi compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Mal Shi to other breeds:

    Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Afghan Hound versus Siberian Husky     Afghan Hound versus Biewer Terrier     Afghan Hound versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Afghan Hound versus Mountain Cur     Afghan Hound versus Giant Schnauzer     Afghan Hound versus Affenhuahua     Afghan Hound versus Sussex Spaniel     Afghan Hound versus Alaskan Malamute     Afghan Hound versus Mal Shi     Afghan Hound versus Black Russian Terrier     

    Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mal Shi versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Mal Shi versus Chorkie     Mal Shi versus Miniature Pinscher     Mal Shi versus Fila Brasileiro     Mal Shi versus Swedish Vallhund     Mal Shi versus German Longhaired Pointer     Mal Shi versus American Foxhound     Mal Shi versus Finnish Spitz     Mal Shi versus Collie     Mal Shi versus Basset Hound     

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