Is the Gordon Setter Better than the Saluki as a Pet? Answer…

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Gordon Setter Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Gordon Setter versus Saluki

Gordon Setter versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Gordon Setter 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.

Gordon Setter versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter and the Saluki

Factor Gordon Setter Saluki
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
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
General Health 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Weight 45 to 80 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1360 $2250
Price Range $1250 – $1500 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 83.6 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • approved laboratory
  • DNA Repository (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • rcd4 PRA (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 106 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 34 43

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

    Gordon Setter versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Gordon Setter and the Saluki

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

  • Gordon Setters 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.
  • Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setter and the Saluki

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

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

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

    Gordon Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Gordon Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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 Gordon Setter versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Gordon Setters is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setters.

    Gordon Setter versus Saluki

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Gordon Setter

    The Gordon Setter has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Gordon Setter is 83.6 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 83.6 percent, the Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 67 Gordon Setters and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Gordon Setter versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Gordon Setter puppy is $1360. The price of the Gordon Setter typically ranges from $1250 – $1500. However, the price of a Gordon Setter can be as low as $600 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 17 Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter.

    Gordon Setter Saluki
    Average Price $1360 $2250
    Price Range $1250 to $1500 $2250 to $2250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Gordon Setters. 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 Gordon Setter 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.

    Adopting the Gordon Setter versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setter named Bocce that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Gordon Setters like Bocce on pefinder.com.

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

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

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Gordon Setter versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Gordon Setter Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 34 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 Gordon Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Gordon Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Gordon Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Gordon Setter is 106 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Gordon Setter

    Popularity of Gordon Setter

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Gordon Setter Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 105 115
    2014 100 134
    2015 105 132
    2016 104 125
    2017 104 123
    2018 115 120
    2019 113 125
    2020 107 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Gordon Setter versus Saluki

    Gordon Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Gordon Setters shed more than Salukis?

    Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setter or the Saluki

    Gordon Setters drool moderately.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Gordon Setter or the Saluki?

    Gordon Setters require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Gordon Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setters Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Gordon Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Gordon Setter vs. Saluki

    Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Gordon Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Gordon Setters do not get along well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Gordon Setters good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setters and Salukis?

    Gordon Setters get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Gordon Setter Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Gordon Setters are very easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Gordon Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Gordon Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Gordon Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Gordon Setter

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (78 percent match with Gordon Setter). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Giant Schnauzer (79 percent match with Gordon Setter). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Mudi (75 percent match with Gordon Setter). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Mudi.
  • 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 Gordon Setter vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Gordon Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Gordon Setter vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Gordon Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Gordon Setter versus Portuguese Water Dog     Gordon Setter versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Gordon Setter versus Belgian Tervuren     Gordon Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier     Gordon Setter versus Akita Chow     Gordon Setter versus Belgian Sheepdog     Gordon Setter versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Gordon Setter versus Akbash     Gordon Setter versus Mountain Cur     Gordon Setter versus Sheepadoodle     Gordon Setter versus Spanish Mastiff     Gordon Setter versus Beaglier     Gordon Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Gordon Setter versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Gordon Setter versus Irish Setter     Gordon Setter versus Sealyham Terrier     Gordon Setter versus French Spaniel     Gordon Setter versus Japanese Chin     Gordon Setter versus Bullmastiff     Gordon Setter versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Gordon Setter versus Catahoula Bulldog     Gordon Setter versus Irish Water Spaniel     Gordon Setter versus Bluetick Coonhound     Gordon Setter versus Beaglier     Gordon Setter versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Bloodhound     Saluki versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Saluki versus Dogo Argentino     Saluki versus Pomapoo     Saluki versus Kuvasz     Saluki versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Belgian Tervuren     Saluki versus Mountain Cur     Saluki versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Saluki versus Beagle     Saluki versus Norwegian Lundehund     Saluki versus Goldendoodle     Saluki versus Akbash     Saluki versus Briard     Saluki versus Berger Picard     Saluki versus Irish Wolfhound     Saluki versus Brittany     Saluki versus Chi-Poo     Saluki versus Bulldog     Saluki versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Saluki versus Finnish Lapphund     Saluki versus American Water Spaniel     Saluki versus English Setter     Saluki versus Norwegian Lundehund     

    Conclusion: Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter and the Saluki better suits you and your family.