Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
- Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Shetland Sheepdog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Shetland 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 Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Shetland 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 Shetland 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 Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-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 Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Shetland 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 | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 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 | 4/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 16 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 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | Starts at 20 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $1590 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $1000 – $2000 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 23 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 79 | 6 |
*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 Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Afghan Hound. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!
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 Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog
The Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Shetland 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, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.
| Afghan Hound | Shetland Sheepdog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $1590 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $1000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Shetland 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.
Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds and many Shetland Sheepdogs 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, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Franklin is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like Franklin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Koda, an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Afghan Hounds and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
| Afghan Hound | Shetland Sheepdog | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 79 out of 130 dog breeds | 6 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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:
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 Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Afghan Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 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 Shetland Sheepdog
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 21 |
| 2014 | 98 | 21 |
| 2015 | 100 | 23 |
| 2016 | 113 | 24 |
| 2017 | 93 | 24 |
| 2018 | 113 | 25 |
| 2019 | 111 | 25 |
| 2020 | 122 | 27 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Shetland 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 Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shetland Sheepdog than for the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Shetland 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.
Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems
Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Shetland Sheepdogs?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland 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.
Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Shetland Sheepdog
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Shetland 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 Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland 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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Miniature Pinscher Afghan Hound versus Belgian Malinois Afghan Hound versus Toy Poodle Afghan Hound versus Yorkshire Terrier Afghan Hound versus Labradoodle Afghan Hound versus Chow Chow Afghan Hound versus Karelian Bear Dog Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu Afghan Hound versus Chorkie
Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shetland Sheepdog versus Schipperke Shetland Sheepdog versus Lowchen Shetland Sheepdog versus Bernedoodle Shetland Sheepdog versus Schipperke Shetland Sheepdog versus Cesky Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Fila Brasileiro Shetland Sheepdog versus Samoyed Shetland Sheepdog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer Shetland Sheepdog versus Afador
Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Shetland 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 Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.