Is the Boerboel Better than the Saluki as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Boerboel Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boerboel 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel or the Saluki.

Boerboel versus Saluki: Overview

A very important difference between the Boerboel and the Saluki is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boerboel is a giant-sized dog while the Saluki is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Boerboel 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.

Boerboel versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boerboel 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 Boerboel and the Saluki

Factor Boerboel Saluki
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 110 to 200 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Height 22 to 28 inches 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2660 No Data
Price Range $2225 – $3000 No Data
Temperament Score 94.7 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boerboel 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 Boerboel is 70 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 Boerboel. 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 Boerboel and the Saluki so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boerboel and the Saluki

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

    • Boerboels have a very high tendency to drool. However, Salukis do not have the tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the Boerboel and the Saluki

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

    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Saluki are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Boerboel versus Saluki

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

    Boerboels weigh 110 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Boerboels are 22 to 28 inches 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 Boerboel versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Boerboels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boerboels 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 Boerboels.

    Temperament of the Boerboel Versus the Saluki

    The Boerboel has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boerboel is 94.7 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 94.7 percent, the Boerboel has an above-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 Boerboel and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 57 Boerboels and 67 Salukis.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boerboel versus Saluki

    Boerboels do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boerboels shed more than Salukis?

    Boerboels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Boerboel or the Saluki

    Boerboels have a very high tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Boerboels are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

    Boerboels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Boerboels Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Boerboels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Boerboels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Boerboel vs. Saluki

    Boerboels 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 Boerboels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boerboels 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 Boerboel or the Saluki?

    Boerboels do not get along well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boerboels good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Boerboels 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 Boerboels and Salukis?

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

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

    Is the Boerboel Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Boerboels are not easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Boerboel Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Boerboels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Boerboels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boerboel 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 Boerboel and the Saluki better suits you and your family.