Akbash versus Azawakh. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Akbash Versus Azawakh: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akbash and the Azawakh? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akbash and the Azawakh 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 Akbash and the Azawakh.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akbash and the Azawakh 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 Akbash and for the Azawakh. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akbash and the Azawakh.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Akbash or the Azawakh.

Akbash versus Azawakh: Overview

Both the Akbash and the Azawakh are similar in size. The Akbash and the Azawakh are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Akbash 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.

On the other hand, the Azawakh 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.

Akbash versus Azawakh: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akbash to the Azawakh 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akbash and the Azawakh

Factor Akbash Azawakh
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 27 to 34 inches 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 140 pounds 33 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $610 No Data
Price Range $500 – $800 No Data
Temperament Score 87.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akbash 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 Azawakh. 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 the Akbash is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Azawakh is 81 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Akbash is a better pet than the Azawakh. So, you should get the Akbash!

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 Akbash and the Azawakh so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akbash and the Azawakh

Below is a list of where the Akbash and the Azawakh are most different:

  • Akbashs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Azawakhs adapt well to apartment living.
  • Akbashs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Azawakhs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Akbashs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.
  • Akbashs can tolerate cold weather. However, Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

The Similarities Between the Akbash and the Azawakh

The Akbash and the Azawakh are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akbash and the Azawakh are most similar:

  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Akbash and the Azawakh are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

Size Comparison of Akbash versus Azawakh

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akbash and the Azawakh.

Akbashs weigh 75 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Akbashs are 27 to 34 inches when fully grown.

On the other hand, Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

Lifespan of Akbash versus Azawakh

The lifespan of Akbashs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akbashs is 11.0 years.

The lifespan of Azawakhs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Azawakhs is 13.5 years.

Azawakhs live longer than Akbashs.

Temperament of the Akbash Versus the Azawakh

The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Akbash.

This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Akbash is 87.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

With its temperament score of 87.5 percent, the Akbash has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Azawakh has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akbash and the Azawakh by measuring the temperaments of 16 Akbashs and 1 Azawakhs.

Tolerates Being Alone: Akbash versus Azawakh

Akbashs can be left alone for some time without problems.

Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

Do Akbashs shed more than Azawakhs?

Akbashs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

Azawakhs shed moderately.

Which one drools more, the Akbash or the Azawakh

Akbashs do have a very low tendency to drool.

Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Akbash or the Azawakh?

Akbashs are moderately easy to groom.

Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

Does the Akbash Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Azawakh?

Akbashs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

Azawakhs 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.

Do Akbashs Bark and Howl? What about Azawakhs?

Akbashs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

Can Akbashs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather?

Akbashs can very well tolerate cold weather.

Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

Wanderlust Potential: Akbash vs. Azawakh

Akbashs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

Can Akbashs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather?

Akbashs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akbash or the Azawakh?

Akbashs get along fairly well with other dogs.

Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

Are Akbashs good family dogs? What about Azawakhs?

Akbashs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

Azawakhs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

How Kid-friendly are Akbashs and Azawakhs?

Akbashs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

Is the Akbash Easier to Train than the Azawakh?

Akbashs are fairly easy to train.

Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

Is the Akbash Better for Apartment Owners than the Azawakh?

Akbashs do not adapt well to apartment living.

Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akbash or the Azawakh?

Akbashs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Conclusion: Akbash versus Azawakh. 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 Akbash and the Azawakh better suits you and your family.