Which is Better between the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff? A Very Detailed Review.

Afghan Hound versus Tibetan Mastiff

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Afghan Hound Versus Tibetan Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff

Afghan Hound versus Tibetan Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 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 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
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 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 75 to 160 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2390 $3560
Price Range $2250 – $2500 $1575 – $5250
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 105 135

    *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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Afghan Hound is a better pet than the Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are most different:

  • Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are very easy to groom.
  • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Tibetan Mastiffs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Afghan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather. However, Tibetan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff

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

  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are very playful.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Tibetan 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, Tibetan Mastiffs weigh 75 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Mastiffs are 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff puppy is $3560. The price of the Tibetan Mastiff typically ranges from $1575 – $5250. However, the price of a Tibetan Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $8000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Tibetan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Tibetan Mastiff is more expensive than the Afghan Hound.

    Afghan Hound Tibetan Mastiff
    Average Price $2390 $3560
    Price Range $2250 to $2500 $1575 to $5250

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Tibetan Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Tibetan 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 Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Mastiffs

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

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

    The Afghan Hound and the Tibetan Mastiff can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Afghan Hounds and Tibetan Mastiffs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Afghan Hound is more popular with dog owners than the Tibetan Mastiff. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Afghan Hound

    Popularity of Afghan Hound

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Year Afghan Hound Popularity Rank Tibetan Mastiff Popularity Rank
    2013 95 132
    2014 98 135
    2015 100 133
    2016 113 135
    2017 93 153
    2018 113 131
    2019 111 128
    2020 122 140

    Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Tibetan Mastiff than for the Afghan Hound.

    3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 4 tests are recommended for the Tibetan Mastiff.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Tibetan 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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.

    Tibetan Mastiff Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Tibetan Mastiffs here.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Tibetan Mastiff

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Tibetan Mastiff?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff?

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan 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.

    Tibetan Mastiffs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Tibetan Mastiff

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff:

  • Bernedoodle (71 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Afghan Hound vs Bernedoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan 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:

  • Bedlington Terrier (69 percent match with Afghan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Mastiff vs Bedlington Terrier.
  • Standard Schnauzer (72 percent match with Afghan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Mastiff vs Standard Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Afghan Hound versus Puli     Afghan Hound versus Cane Corso     Afghan Hound versus Whippet     Afghan Hound versus Belgian Tervuren     Afghan Hound versus Kuvasz     Afghan Hound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Afghan Hound versus Dachshund     Afghan Hound versus Belgian Tervuren     Afghan Hound versus Pyredoodle     Afghan Hound versus Akita Chow     

    Tibetan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Mastiff versus English Toy Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Belgian Malinois     Tibetan Mastiff versus Stabyhoun     Tibetan Mastiff versus Shihpoo     Tibetan Mastiff versus Lhasapoo     Tibetan Mastiff versus Akita Chow     Tibetan Mastiff versus German Shepherd Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Cane Corso     Tibetan Mastiff versus Affenpinscher     Tibetan Mastiff versus Australian Cattle Dog     

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Tibetan 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 Tibetan Mastiff better suits you and your family.