A Detailed Comparison of the Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki.

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki

Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Giant Schnauzer 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.

Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki

Factor Giant Schnauzer Saluki
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2220 $2250
Price Range $1800 – $2500 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 77.4 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 77 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 28 43

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

    Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki

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

  • Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki

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

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

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

    Giant Schnauzers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Giant Schnauzers are 23 to 27 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 Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers.

    Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki

    Temperament of the Giant Schnauzer Versus the Saluki

    The Giant Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Giant Schnauzer is 77.4 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 77.4 percent, the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 265 Giant Schnauzers and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Giant Schnauzer versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Giant Schnauzer puppy is $2220. The price of the Giant Schnauzer typically ranges from $1800 – $2500. However, the price of a Giant Schnauzer can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Giant Schnauzer 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 the 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 Giant Schnauzer.

    Giant Schnauzer Saluki
    Average Price $2220 $2250
    Price Range $1800 to $2500 $2250 to $2250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki

    Adopting the Giant Schnauzer versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer named Milo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Giant Schnauzers like Milo on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Giant Schnauzers, 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Hendrix – Costa Mesa Location is the name of another Giant Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Ollie is an adorable Male Saluki on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Giant Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Giant Schnauzer Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 28 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 Giant Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 28 out of 130 dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer 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.

    The Popularity of Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Giant Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Giant Schnauzer is 77 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Giant Schnauzer Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 83 115
    2014 83 134
    2015 81 132
    2016 79 125
    2017 80 123
    2018 78 120
    2019 71 125
    2020 67 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Salukis?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer or the Saluki

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Giant Schnauzer or the Saluki?

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

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Giant Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Saluki

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer or the Saluki?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers and Salukis?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer

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

  • Airedale Terrier (76 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Gordon Setter (79 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Gordon Setter.
  • 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 Giant Schnauzer vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Cavapoo     Giant Schnauzer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Giant Schnauzer versus Chinook     Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon     Giant Schnauzer versus Brussels Griffon     Giant Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd     Giant Schnauzer versus Siberian Husky     Giant Schnauzer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Beagle     Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese     Giant Schnauzer versus Sloughi     Giant Schnauzer versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Giant Schnauzer versus Finnish Lapphund     Giant Schnauzer versus Schipperke     Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor     Giant Schnauzer versus Pomchi     Giant Schnauzer versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Giant Schnauzer versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Giant Schnauzer versus Boxer     Giant Schnauzer versus Ibizan Hound     Giant Schnauzer versus Keeshond     Giant Schnauzer versus Australian Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Basset Hound     Giant Schnauzer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Giant Schnauzer versus Maltese     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Carolina Dog     Saluki versus Sheepadoodle     Saluki versus Frenchton     Saluki versus Belgian Malinois     Saluki versus Cairn Terrier     Saluki versus Afghan Hound     Saluki versus Miniature Poodle     Saluki versus Shiloh Shepherd     Saluki versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Saluki versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Saluki versus Dutch Shepherd     Saluki versus West Highland White Terrier     Saluki versus Field Spaniel     Saluki versus Cane Corso     Saluki versus Karelian Bear Dog     Saluki versus Scottish Terrier     Saluki versus Black Mouth Cur     Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound     Saluki versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Saluki versus Belgian Tervuren     Saluki versus Shiba Inu     Saluki versus American Foxhound     Saluki versus Pharaoh Hound     Saluki versus Xoloitzcuintli     Saluki versus Sheepadoodle     

    Conclusion: Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Saluki better suits you and your family.