Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Akita and the Saluki.

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Akita Versus Saluki: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita and the Saluki? 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 Akita and the Saluki 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 Akita and the Saluki.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita and the Saluki 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 Akita and for the Saluki. 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 Akita and the Saluki.

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

Akita versus Saluki: Overview

Both the Akita and the Saluki are similar in size. The Akita and the Saluki are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Akita 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 Saluki 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.

Akita versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita to the Saluki 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 Akita and the Saluki

FactorAkitaSaluki
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Kid-Friendly1/54/5
Dog Friendly1/54/5
Easy To Groom1/54/5
Life Span10 to 12 years12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/51/5
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/51/5
Easy To Train2/54/5
Height2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
General Health4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/55/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/51/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Does NOT Shed1/54/5
Does NOT Drool1/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/55/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight70 to 130 pounds35 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$1770No Data
Price Range$1100 – $2200No Data
Temperament Score77.8 percent68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		• No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)5443

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akita 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 Saluki. 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 Akita is 56 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akita and the Saluki

    Below is a list of where the Akita and the Saluki are most different:

    • Akitas do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Salukis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Akitas do not get along well with other dogs. However, Salukis get along well with other dogs.
    • Akitas require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Salukis are very easy to groom.
    • Akitas gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Akitas can tolerate cold weather. However, Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Akitas shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Salukis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Akitas have a very high tendency to drool. However, Salukis do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Akitas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Salukis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    The Similarities Between the Akita and the Saluki

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

    • Both the Akita and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki 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 Akita and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Akita and the Saluki are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Akita versus Saluki

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita and the Saluki.

    Akitas weigh 70 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Akitas are 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Akita versus Saluki

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

    The lifespan of Salukis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Salukis is 13.0 years.

    Salukis live longer than Akitas.

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Akita

    The Akita has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Akita is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 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 77.8 percent, the Akita has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akita and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 598 Akitas and 67 Salukis.

    The Intelligence of the Akita versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    `
    Akita Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 54 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Akita has an obedience intelligence rank of 54 out of 130 dog breeds. The Akita belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Akitas tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Saluki has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saluki belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Salukis tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Saluki is more intelligent than the Akita.

    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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akita versus Saluki

    Akitas do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Akitas shed more than Salukis?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Akita or the Saluki

    Akitas have a very high tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita or the Saluki?

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

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Akita Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Akitas 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.

    Salukis 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 Akitas Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

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

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

    Can Akitas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akitas can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Akita vs. Saluki

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

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

    Can Akitas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Salukis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita or the Saluki?

    Akitas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Akitas good family dogs? What about Salukis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Akitas and Salukis?

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

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

    Is the Akita Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Akitas are not easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Akita Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Akitas do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita or the Saluki?

    Akitas are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akita versus Saluki. 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 Akita and the Saluki better suits you and your family.