Breed Comparison: Dalmatian Versus Saluki

Dalmatian versus Saluki

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Dalmatian Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Saluki

Dalmatian versus Saluki

Dalmatian versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dalmatian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Dalmatian versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian 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.

Factor Dalmatian Saluki
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 12 to 14 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1410 $2250
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 83.3 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 60 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 39 43

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dalmatian 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 a Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    Dalmatian versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Saluki

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

  • Dalmatians 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.
  • Dalmatians gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Dalmatians 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Saluki can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are very easy to train.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Saluki

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

    Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 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.

    Temperament of the Dalmatian Versus the Saluki

    The Dalmatian has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 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 they 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 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 359 Dalmatians and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of a Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saluki is more expensive than the Dalmatian.

    Dalmatian Saluki
    Average Price $1410 $2250
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $2250 to $2250

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and Saluki. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many Saluki puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dalmatian puppy or the Saluki puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Dalmatian versus Saluki

    Adopting the Dalmatian versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dalmatians and many Salukis are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Dalmatian named Travis that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dalmatians like Travis on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dalmatians, Salukis are also available for adoption. For example, Archie is a Male Saluki that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Salukis like Archie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dalmatian and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Wendell is the name of another Dalmatian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Dexter O, an adorable Male Saluki on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Dalmatians and Salukis are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Dalmatians and Salukis that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Dalmatian Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 39 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Dalmatian has an obedience intelligence rank of 39 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dalmatian belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Dalmatians tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Dalmatian is more intelligent than the Saluki.

    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.

    Dalmatian versus Saluki

    The Popularity of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Dalmatian Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 64 115
    2014 66 134
    2015 62 132
    2016 62 125
    2017 63 123
    2018 56 120
    2019 59 125
    2020 51 144

    Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Saluki

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

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

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

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

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Saluki

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

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

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Salukis?

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

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

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

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Saluki

    Dalmatians 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.

    Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Salukis?

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

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

    Do Dalmatians shed more than Salukis?

    Dalmatians 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 is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Saluki?

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

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

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • 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 Dalmatian vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Dalmatian versus Shiranian     Dalmatian versus Irish Terrier     Dalmatian versus Sheepadoodle     Dalmatian versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Dalmatian versus American Bulldog     Dalmatian versus Kooikerhondje     Dalmatian versus Pomapoo     Dalmatian versus Redbone Coonhound     Dalmatian versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Whoodle     Saluki versus Pyredoodle     Saluki versus Whoodle     Saluki versus Havanese     Saluki versus Lakeland Terrier     Saluki versus Giant Schnauzer     Saluki versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Saluki versus Goldador     Saluki versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     

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