Differences and Similarities between the Afghan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog.

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Afghan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

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Afghan Hound Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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 Maremma Sheepdog

Afghan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

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

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 13 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
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 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2390 $1160
Price Range $2250 – $2500 $495 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
    		•

    *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 Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Afghan Hound is a better pet than the Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Maremma Sheepdogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Afghan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather. However, Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Maremma Sheepdogs 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, Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

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

    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, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

    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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1160. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $495 – $1500. However, the price of a Maremma Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $4135. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 40 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Afghan Hound Maremma Sheepdog
    Average Price $2390 $1160
    Price Range $2250 to $2500 $495 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Maremma Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Maremma Sheepdog 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.

    Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Maremma Sheepdog

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

    Both the Afghan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Maremma Sheepdog than for the Afghan Hound.

    3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Maremma Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

    Maremma Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Maremma Sheepdogs here.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

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

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

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    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.

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Maremma Sheepdog

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog:

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (75 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maremma Sheepdog

    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 Maremma Sheepdog vs Bedlington Terrier.
  • Standard Schnauzer (72 percent match with Afghan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Standard Schnauzer.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Afghan Hound versus Sealyham Terrier     Afghan Hound versus Rottweiler     Afghan Hound versus Pekingese     Afghan Hound versus Stabyhoun     Afghan Hound versus Finnish Spitz     Afghan Hound versus Havanese     Afghan Hound versus Pharaoh Hound     Afghan Hound versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Afghan Hound versus Shihpoo     Afghan Hound versus Briard     

    Maremma Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maremma Sheepdog versus Briard     Maremma Sheepdog versus Mudi     Maremma Sheepdog versus Collie     Maremma Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu     Maremma Sheepdog versus English Setter     Maremma Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Maremma Sheepdog versus Norfolk Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Sheepadoodle     Maremma Sheepdog versus Manchester Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus West Highland White Terrier     

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