Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Mastiff: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Mastiff: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Mastiff: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Mastiff
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Mastiff
- Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Mastiff
- The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Mastiff
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Mastiff
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Mastiff
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Mastiff?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Mastiff
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Mastiffs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Mastiffs?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Mastiffs?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Mastiffs?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mastiff?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Mastiff
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Mastiff: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff? 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff 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 Mastiff. 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 Mastiff.
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 Mastiff
Afghan Hound versus Mastiff: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Mastiff 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 | Mastiff |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 6 to 10 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 130 to 220 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 8.0 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $1740 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $1100 – $2200 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 28 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 79 | 72 |
*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 Mastiff. 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 Mastiff is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Afghan Hound is a better pet than the Mastiff. 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff
The Afghan Hound and the Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Mastiff
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff.
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, Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Mastiff
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 Mastiff puppy is $1740. The price of the Mastiff typically ranges from $1100 – $2200. However, the price of a Mastiff can be as low as $200 and as high as $4600. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 248 Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Mastiff.
| Afghan Hound | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $1740 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $1100 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Mastiff 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 Mastiffs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Mastiff 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.
Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Mastiff
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds and many Mastiffs are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Afghan Hound named Sam that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Afghan Hounds like Sam on pefinder.com.
Also, like Afghan Hounds, Mastiffs are also available for adoption. For example, Miso* is a Male Mastiff that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Mastiffs like Miso* that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Loki, an adorable Male Mastiff on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Afghan Hounds and Mastiffs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Mastiff
| Afghan Hound | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 79 out of 130 dog breeds | 72 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Afghan Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 79 out of 130 dog breeds. The Afghan Hound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Afghan Hounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Mastiff has an obedience intelligence rank of 72 out of 130 dog breeds. The Mastiff belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Mastiffs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Mastiff is more intelligent than the Afghan Hound.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Mastiff
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Afghan Hound and the Mastiff over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Afghan Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Mastiff is 28 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Mastiff
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Mastiff Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 26 |
| 2014 | 98 | 26 |
| 2015 | 100 | 25 |
| 2016 | 113 | 28 |
| 2017 | 93 | 28 |
| 2018 | 113 | 29 |
| 2019 | 111 | 32 |
| 2020 | 122 | 33 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Mastiff
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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mastiff than for the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 7 tests are recommended for the Mastiff.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Mastiffs.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.
Mastiff Health Problems
Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Mastiff 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 Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Mastiff 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 Mastiffs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mastiffs here.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Mastiff?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Mastiff
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Mastiffs?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Mastiff?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Mastiffs?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Mastiffs shed moderately.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Mastiff?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Mastiffs?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Mastiffs?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mastiff?
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.
Mastiffs 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. Mastiff
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Mastiffs 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Mastiff to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Chi-Poo Afghan Hound versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Afghan Hound versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Afghan Hound versus Great Pyrenees Afghan Hound versus Peek A Poo Afghan Hound versus Irish Setter Afghan Hound versus Jack Russell Terrier Afghan Hound versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Afghan Hound versus Pyrenean Mastiff Afghan Hound versus Berger Picard
Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mastiff versus Clumber Spaniel Mastiff versus Norfolk Terrier Mastiff versus Manchester Terrier Mastiff versus Australian Cattle Dog Mastiff versus French Bulldog Mastiff versus Newfoundland Mastiff versus Goldador Mastiff versus Maremma Sheepdog Mastiff versus Sloughi
Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Mastiff. 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 Mastiff better suits you and your family.