Differences and Similarities between the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

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Afghan Hound Versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever? 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
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 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 9 inches tall at the s
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 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
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 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 35 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2390 No Data
Price Range $2250 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 105 91

    *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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a better pet than the Afghan Hound. So, you should get the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever!

    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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are most different:

  • Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very easy to groom.
  • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Afghan Hounds are not easy to train. However, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    The Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are very playful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

    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, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers weigh 35 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 9 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds and many Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers 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, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are also available for adoption. For example, Zeppelin is a Male Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers like Zeppelin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Afghan Hound and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Afghan Hounds and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Afghan Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is 91 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Popularity of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Year Afghan Hound Popularity Rank Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Popularity Rank
    2013 95 97
    2014 98 99
    2015 100 99
    2016 113 87
    2017 93 89
    2018 113 83
    2019 111 86
    2020 122 90

    Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.

    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.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Health Problems

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers here.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

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

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?

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

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?

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

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed moderately.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?

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

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?

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

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

    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.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers 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. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

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

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever:

  • Cairn Terrier (81 percent match with Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs Cairn Terrier.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever vs Bedlington Terrier.
  • Standard Schnauzer (72 percent match with Afghan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever vs Standard Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever to other breeds:

    Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Afghan Hound versus Briard     Afghan Hound versus French Spaniel     Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Pointer     Afghan Hound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Afghan Hound versus Airedale Terrier     Afghan Hound versus Bolognese     Afghan Hound versus Shichon     Afghan Hound versus Catahoula Bulldog     Afghan Hound versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Afghan Hound versus Boykin Spaniel     

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Cockapoo     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Puli     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Cane Corso     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Peek A Poo     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Afghan Hound     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Bloodhound     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Cockapoo     

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever better suits you and your family.