Is the Azawakh Better than the Maremma Sheepdog as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Azawakh Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Azawakh and the Maremma 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 Azawakh and for the Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog.

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

Azawakh versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Maremma Sheepdog 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.

Azawakh versus Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Azawakh to the Maremma 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.

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

Factor Azawakh Maremma Sheepdog
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 13 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 2/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $675 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1220
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Azawakh 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 Maremma 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 the Azawakh is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    The Similarities Between the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

    • Both the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Maremma Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Azawakh versus Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    On the other hand, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Azawakh versus Maremma Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is 12.0 years.

    Azawakhs live longer than Maremma Sheepdogs.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Azawakh versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Azawakhs shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Azawakh or the Maremma Sheepdog

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Azawakh or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Azawakh Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    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.

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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.

    Do Azawakhs Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

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

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Azawakh vs. Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Azawakhs good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Azawakhs and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Azawakh Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Azawakh Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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