Is the Irish Wolfhound Better than the Sloughi as a Pet? Answer…

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Irish Wolfhound Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound and the Sloughi 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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi.

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 Sloughi.

Irish Wolfhound versus Sloughi: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Irish Wolfhound and the Sloughi are Hound Dogs. This means both the Irish Wolfhound and the Sloughi 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 Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound to the Sloughi 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 Sloughi

Factor Irish Wolfhound Sloughi
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Weight 115 to 180 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Height 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 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 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Life Span 6 to 8 years 12 to 16 years
Average Lifespan 7.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2400 No Data
Temperament Score 90.1 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 73 189

    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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Sloughi. 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 Sloughi 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 Sloughi

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

  • Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sloughis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Irish Wolfhounds have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Sloughis have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Sloughi

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

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

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

    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, Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Sloughi

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

    The lifespan of Sloughis is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Sloughis is 14.0 years.

    Sloughis live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.

    Temperament of the Sloughi Versus the Irish Wolfhound

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Irish Wolfhound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 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 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Wolfhound and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound versus Popularity of Sloughi

    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 Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Wolfhound

    Popularity of Irish Wolfhound

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 73 no data
    2014 72 no data
    2015 69 no data
    2016 73 185.0
    2017 73 188.0
    2018 76 192.0
    2019 76 191.0
    2020 74 189.0

    Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound versus Health Problems of Sloughi

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Sloughi are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Sloughi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Wolfhound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Sloughi than for the Irish Wolfhound.

    5 health tests are recommended for Irish Wolfhound while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Wolfhounds and in Sloughis.

    Irish Wolfhound Health Problems

    Irish Wolfhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Wolfhound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Irish Wolfhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Wolfhound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Wolfhounds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds here.

    Sloughi Health Problems

    Sloughis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Sloughi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Sloughi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Sloughi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Sloughis for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Sloughis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Sloughi

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Sloughis?

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sloughi

    Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Sloughis 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 Sloughis?

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

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

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

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Sloughi

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

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

    Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Sloughis 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 Sloughi?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

    Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Sloughis?

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

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

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sloughis 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 Sloughi vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Cavapoo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sloughi

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

  • Bracco Italiano (78 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Pinscher     Irish Wolfhound versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Wolfhound versus American Bulldog     Irish Wolfhound versus Afador     Irish Wolfhound versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Irish Wolfhound versus Shichon     Irish Wolfhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Dalmatian     Irish Wolfhound versus Norwich Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Akbash     Irish Wolfhound versus Biewer Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Maltese     Irish Wolfhound versus Siberian Husky     Irish Wolfhound versus Field Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Boerboel     Irish Wolfhound versus Tibetan Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Border Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Schipperke     Irish Wolfhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Dogo Argentino     Irish Wolfhound versus Alaskan Malamute     Irish Wolfhound versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Wolfhound versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Peek A Poo     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Portuguese Pointer     Sloughi versus Chinese Crested     Sloughi versus Field Spaniel     Sloughi versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Sloughi versus Portuguese Water Dog     Sloughi versus Whippet     Sloughi versus Dalmatian     Sloughi versus Bearded Collie     Sloughi versus Fila Brasileiro     Sloughi versus American Bulldog     Sloughi versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Sloughi versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Sloughi versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Sloughi versus Boxer     Sloughi versus Irish Water Spaniel     Sloughi versus Kooikerhondje     Sloughi versus Shichon     Sloughi versus Golden Retriever     Sloughi versus Afador     Sloughi versus Collie     Sloughi versus Labrador Retriever     Sloughi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Sloughi versus Affenpinscher     Sloughi versus Berger Picard     Sloughi versus Stabyhoun     

    Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Sloughi. 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 Sloughi better suits you and your family.