Is the Afghan Hound Better than the Norwich Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Afghan Hound Versus Norwich Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Norwich Terrier

Afghan Hound versus Norwich Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Afghan Hound versus Norwich Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds Up to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2390 $2140
Price Range $2250 – $2500 $1500 – $2650
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 105 102
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 79 38

    *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 Norwich Terrier. 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 Norwich Terrier is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier

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

  • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Norwich Terriers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Afghan Hounds are not easy to train. However, Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.
  • Afghan Hounds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Norwich Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.

    • The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier

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

    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, Norwich Terriers weigh Up to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norwich Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwich Terrier puppy is $2140. The price of the Norwich Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2650. However, the price of a Norwich Terrier can be as low as $1200 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Norwich Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Norwich Terrier.

    Afghan Hound Norwich Terrier
    Average Price $2390 $2140
    Price Range $2250 to $2500 $1500 to $2650

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Norwich Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Norwich Terriers

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds and many Norwich Terriers 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, Norwich Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Jeffrey is a Male Norwich Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Norwich Terriers like Jeffrey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Afghan Hound and the Norwich Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Afghan Hounds and Norwich Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Norwich Terrier

    Afghan Hound Norwich Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 79 out of 130 dog breeds 38 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions

    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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    • 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 Norwich Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 38 out of 130 dog breeds. The Norwich Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Norwich Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwich Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwich Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Afghan Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwich Terrier is 102 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 Afghan Hound

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Year Afghan Hound Popularity Rank Norwich Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 95 89
    2014 98 97
    2015 100 103
    2016 113 103
    2017 93 105
    2018 113 108
    2019 111 102
    2020 122 109

    Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Afghan Hound.

    3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwich Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Norwich Terriers.

    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.

    Norwich Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwich Terriers here.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Norwich Terrier

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwich Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Norwich Terrier?

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

    Norwich Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Norwich Terrier?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Norwich Terrier

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Norwich Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwich Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwich Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwich Terrier?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwich Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwich Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Norwich Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwich Terrier?

    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.

    Norwich Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Norwich Terrier

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

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier:

  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs Cavachon.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (81 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs English Cocker Spaniel.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwich Terrier

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Afghan Hound versus Fila Brasileiro     Afghan Hound versus Bull Terrier     Afghan Hound versus Samoyed     Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin     Afghan Hound versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Afghan Hound versus Pyredoodle     Afghan Hound versus Australian Terrier     Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel     Afghan Hound versus Lakeland Terrier     Afghan Hound versus Labradoodle     

    Norwich Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwich Terrier versus Barbet     Norwich Terrier versus Pomchi     Norwich Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Norwich Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Norwich Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Norwich Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Norwich Terrier versus Westiepoo     Norwich Terrier versus Bulldog     Norwich Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     

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