Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Irish Wolfhound Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki

Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki are Hound Dogs. This means both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki 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.

Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki

Factor Irish Wolfhound Saluki
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Weight 115 to 180 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Height 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Life Span 6 to 8 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 7.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2250
Price Range $1500 – $2400 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 90.1 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 73 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 41 43

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki

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

  • Irish Wolfhounds have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Salukis are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Irish Wolfhounds have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Salukis have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Irish Wolfhounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki

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

    Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 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 Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.

    The lifespan of Salukis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Salukis is 13.0 years.

    Salukis live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.

    Temperament of the Irish Wolfhound Versus the Saluki

    The Irish Wolfhound has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 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 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Irish Wolfhound versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Irish Wolfhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Irish Wolfhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2400. However, the price of a Irish Wolfhound can be as low as $720 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 91 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound.

    Irish Wolfhound Saluki
    Average Price $1930 $2250
    Price Range $1500 to $2400 $2250 to $2250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds. 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound named Action Jackson that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Wolfhounds like Action Jackson on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Irish Wolfhounds, 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Tex is the name of another Irish Wolfhound (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.

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Irish Wolfhound versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Irish Wolfhound Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 41 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Irish Wolfhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 41 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Wolfhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Wolfhound

    Popularity of Irish Wolfhound

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 73 115
    2014 72 134
    2015 69 132
    2016 73 125
    2017 73 123
    2018 76 120
    2019 76 125
    2020 74 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Salukis?

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Saluki

    Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Saluki?

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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.

    Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Saluki

    Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Salukis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound or the Saluki?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds and Salukis?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound

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

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Cavapoo.
  • 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 Irish Wolfhound vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Sheepadoodle     Irish Wolfhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Irish Wolfhound versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Irish Wolfhound versus Finnish Spitz     Irish Wolfhound versus Beaglier     Irish Wolfhound versus Bordoodle     Irish Wolfhound versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Frenchton     Irish Wolfhound versus Biewer Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus English Cocker Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Kishu Ken     Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Pinscher     Irish Wolfhound versus Standard Schnauzer     Irish Wolfhound versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Irish Wolfhound versus Maltipoo     Irish Wolfhound versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund     Irish Wolfhound versus Pyredoodle     Irish Wolfhound versus Shiba Inu     Irish Wolfhound versus Vizsla     Irish Wolfhound versus Great Dane     Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Schnauzer     Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Lowchen     Saluki versus Goldador     Saluki versus West Highland White Terrier     Saluki versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saluki versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Saluki versus American Water Spaniel     Saluki versus Morkie     Saluki versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Saluki versus Japanese Spitz     Saluki versus Boston Terrier     Saluki versus Pointer     Saluki versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Whippet     Saluki versus Japanese Chin     Saluki versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Cockapoo     Saluki versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Saluki versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Saluki versus Clumber Spaniel     Saluki versus Maltese     Saluki versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Saluki versus Tibetan Spaniel     Saluki versus Newfoundland     Saluki versus Akbash     

    Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki better suits you and your family.