Breed Comparison: Italian Greyhound Versus Komondor

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Italian Greyhound Versus Komondor: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor? 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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor 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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor 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 Italian Greyhound and for the Komondor. 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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Italian Greyhound or the Komondor.

Italian Greyhound versus Komondor

Italian Greyhound versus Komondor: Overview

A very important difference between the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Italian Greyhound is a small-sized dog while the Komondor is a large-sized dog.

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

On the other hand, the Komondor 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.

Italian Greyhound versus Komondor: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Italian Greyhound to the Komondor 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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor

Factor Italian Greyhound Komondor
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 14 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Weight 6 to 15 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1930 $840
Price Range $1500 – $2250 $550 – $800
Temperament Score 81.5 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 70 170

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Italian Greyhound 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 Komondor. 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 Italian Greyhound is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Komondor is 70 out of 125.

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

    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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor

    Below is a list of where the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are most different:

  • Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Komondors can tolerate cold weather.
  • Italian Greyhounds get along well with other dogs. However, Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Italian Greyhounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Komondors are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Italian Greyhounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Italian Greyhounds are good for new dog owners. However, Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom. However, Komondors require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Italian Greyhounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Komondors have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor

    The Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are most similar:

  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are very playful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor 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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Komondor

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor.

    Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Italian Greyhound versus Komondor

    The lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is 14.5 years.

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.

    Italian Greyhounds live longer than Komondors.

    Temperament of the Italian Greyhound Versus the Komondor

    The Komondor has a better temperament than the Italian Greyhound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Italian Greyhound is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Italian Greyhound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 54 Italian Greyhounds and 10 Komondors.

    Price of Italian Greyhound versus Price of Komondor

    The average price of the Italian Greyhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Italian Greyhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2250. However, the price of a Italian Greyhound can be as low as $750 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 141 Italian Greyhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of the Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Italian Greyhound is more expensive than the Komondor.

    Italian Greyhound Komondor
    Average Price $1930 $840
    Price Range $1500 to $2250 $550 to $800

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Italian Greyhound puppy or the Komondor 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.

    The Popularity of Italian Greyhound versus Popularity of Komondor

    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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Italian Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Italian Greyhound is 70 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Italian Greyhound

    Popularity of Italian Greyhound

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Year Italian Greyhound Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 66 159
    2014 74 168
    2015 71 163
    2016 72 177
    2017 74 163
    2018 73 173
    2019 67 181
    2020 69 178

    Health Problems of Italian Greyhound versus Health Problems of Komondor

    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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor 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 Italian Greyhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Komondor.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Italian Greyhound than for the Komondor.

    4 health tests are recommended for Italian Greyhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Komondor.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Italian Greyhounds and in Komondors.

    Italian Greyhound Health Problems

    Italian Greyhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhounds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds here.

    Komondor Health Problems

    Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor 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 Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor 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 Komondors for:

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Italian Greyhounds and Komondors

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Italian Greyhound Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Italian Greyhound ranks 3 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Italian Greyhounds, 4 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Italian Greyhounds, and how common these diseases are in Italian Greyhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 3 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 30 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 58 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 62 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Komondors, and how common these diseases are in Komondors relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Italian Greyhound and in Komondor and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Italian Greyhound and the Komondor:

    Disease Italian Greyhound Rank Komondor Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 3 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 30 out of 182 dog breeds 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 58 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 62 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 90 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Italian Greyhound versus Komondor

    Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Komondors?

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

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Komondor

    Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Italian Greyhound or the Komondor?

    Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Italian Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Komondor?

    Italian Greyhounds 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.

    Komondors have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Komondors?

    Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Komondor

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

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

    Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Italian Greyhound or the Komondor?

    Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Komondors?

    Italian Greyhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Italian Greyhounds and Komondors?

    Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Is the Italian Greyhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Komondor?

    Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Italian Greyhound or the Komondor?

    Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound

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

  • Whippet (78 percent match with Italian Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Whippet.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Komondor

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Italian Greyhound versus Leonberger     Italian Greyhound versus Aussiedoodle     Italian Greyhound versus Shiranian     Italian Greyhound versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Italian Greyhound versus Weimaraner     Italian Greyhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Japanese Chin     Italian Greyhound versus Afador     Italian Greyhound versus Shiranian     Italian Greyhound versus Australian Kelpie     Italian Greyhound versus Spanish Mastiff     Italian Greyhound versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Italian Greyhound versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Italian Greyhound versus Golden Retriever     Italian Greyhound versus Cockalier     Italian Greyhound versus Border Collie     Italian Greyhound versus Goldador     Italian Greyhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Bracco Italiano     Italian Greyhound versus Swedish Vallhund     Italian Greyhound versus Shih Tzu     Italian Greyhound versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Italian Greyhound versus Fila Brasileiro     Italian Greyhound versus Puggle     Italian Greyhound versus French Bulldog     

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Belgian Tervuren     Komondor versus English Toy Spaniel     Komondor versus Pomsky     Komondor versus Havanese     Komondor versus Yorkshire Terrier     Komondor versus Norfolk Terrier     Komondor versus West Highland White Terrier     Komondor versus Japanese Spitz     Komondor versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Komondor versus Peek A Poo     Komondor versus Boerboel     Komondor versus Welsh Terrier     Komondor versus Redbone Coonhound     Komondor versus Miniature Pinscher     Komondor versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Komondor versus Affenpinscher     Komondor versus Ibizan Hound     Komondor versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Komondor versus Dogo Argentino     Komondor versus Japanese Chin     Komondor versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Komondor versus Mountain Cur     Komondor versus Puggle     Komondor versus Papipoo     Komondor versus Stabyhoun     

    Conclusion: Italian Greyhound versus Komondor. 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 Italian Greyhound and the Komondor better suits you and your family.