A Detailed Comparison of the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki.

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American Water Spaniel Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel or the Saluki.

American Water Spaniel versus Saluki

American Water Spaniel versus Saluki: Overview

A very important difference between the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Saluki is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Water Spaniel 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.

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.

American Water Spaniel versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Saluki

Factor American Water Spaniel Saluki
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $2250 – $2250
Average Price No Data $2250
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 159 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 44 43

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel is 71 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 American Water Spaniel. 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 American Water Spaniel and the Saluki so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki

    Below is a list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki are most different:

  • American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Salukis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki

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

  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Saluki

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the Saluki.

    American Water Spaniels weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. American Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 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 American Water Spaniel versus Saluki

    The lifespan of American Water Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Water Spaniels is 13.5 years.

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

    American Water Spaniels live longer than Salukis.

    Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Saluki

    The American Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 67 Salukis.

    The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    American Water Spaniel Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 44 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 American Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Water Spaniels 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 American Water Spaniel.

    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 American Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Saluki

    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 American Water Spaniel and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saluki is more popular with dog owners than the American Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Water Spaniel is 159 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Water Spaniel

    Popularity of American Water Spaniel

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 144 115
    2014 160 134
    2015 157 132
    2016 156 125
    2017 167 123
    2018 166 120
    2019 164 125
    2020 158 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Saluki

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Salukis?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Saluki

    American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Saluki?

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    American Water Spaniels 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.

    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 American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Saluki

    American Water Spaniels 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 American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Saluki?

    American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    American Water Spaniels 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 American Water Spaniels and Salukis?

    American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the Saluki?

    American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Water Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel:

  • Border Collie (74 percent match with American Water Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Border Collie.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saluki

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saluki 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 Saluki:

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Water Spaniel and how the Saluki compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Water Spaniel and of the Saluki to other breeds:

    American Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Water Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever          American Water Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog     American Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     American Water Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Pomchi     American Water Spaniel versus Dalmatian     American Water Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     American Water Spaniel versus Dogue de Bordeaux     American Water Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     American Water Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz     American Water Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund     American Water Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     American Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Goldador     American Water Spaniel versus Dalmatian     American Water Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Saluki     American Water Spaniel versus Bordoodle     American Water Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     American Water Spaniel versus Pomsky     American Water Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     American Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Papipoo     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Mastiff     Saluki versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Affenhuahua     Saluki versus Cockalier     Saluki versus Labrador Retriever     Saluki versus Lancashire Heeler     Saluki versus Bearded Collie     Saluki versus Puggle     Saluki versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Saluki versus American Hairless Terrier     Saluki versus Pharaoh Hound     Saluki versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Saluki versus German Longhaired Pointer     Saluki versus Schnoodle     Saluki versus English Setter     Saluki versus Vizsla          Saluki versus Boerboel     Saluki versus Goldendoodle     Saluki versus Akita     Saluki versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Saluki versus Australian Shepherd     Saluki versus Mastiff     Saluki versus Aussiedoodle     Saluki versus Silky Terrier     

    Conclusion: American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Saluki better suits you and your family.