Is the Italian Greyhound Better than the Saluki as a Pet? Answer…

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Italian Greyhound Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound or the Saluki.

Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

Italian Greyhound versus Saluki: Overview

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

Italian Greyhound versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Saluki

Factor Italian Greyhound Saluki
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 14 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Weight 6 to 15 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2250
Price Range $1500 – $2250 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 81.5 percent 68.7 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
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 70 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 60 43

    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 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is a better pet than the Saluki. 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 Saluki so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki

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

  • Italian Greyhounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Italian Greyhounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Italian Greyhounds are good for new dog owners. However, Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

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

    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, Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

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

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

    Italian Greyhounds live longer than Salukis.

    Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Italian Greyhound

    The Italian Greyhound has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Italian Greyhound is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 54 Italian Greyhounds and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Italian Greyhound versus Price of Saluki

    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 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 Italian Greyhound.

    Italian Greyhound Saluki
    Average Price $1930 $2250
    Price Range $1500 to $2250 $2250 to $2250

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Italian Greyhound and Saluki. For different price points, the charts show how many Italian Greyhound puppies or how many Saluki 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 Salukis

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

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

    Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

    Adopting the Italian Greyhound versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound named Massimo (Houston) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Italian Greyhounds like Massimo (Houston) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Italian Greyhounds, 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 Italian Greyhound and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Niczu is the name of another Italian Greyhound (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.

    Italian Greyhounds and Salukis are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Italian Greyhounds and Salukis that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Italian Greyhound versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Italian Greyhound Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 60 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Italian Greyhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 60 out of 130 dog breeds. The Italian Greyhound belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Italian Greyhounds tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Saluki is more intelligent than the Italian Greyhound.

    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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Italian Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. 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 Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Italian Greyhound

    Popularity of Italian Greyhound

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Italian Greyhound Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 66 115
    2014 74 134
    2015 71 132
    2016 72 125
    2017 74 123
    2018 73 120
    2019 67 125
    2020 69 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Italian Greyhound versus Saluki

    Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Salukis?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Saluki

    Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    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 Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Saluki

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound or the Saluki?

    Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds and Salukis?

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

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

    Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

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

    Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Salukis 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 Saluki vs Whippet.
  • 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 Italian Greyhound vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Italian Greyhound versus Pomeranian     Italian Greyhound versus Fila Brasileiro     Italian Greyhound versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Italian Greyhound versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Italian Greyhound versus Great Dane     Italian Greyhound versus Rottweiler     Italian Greyhound versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Pomeranian     Italian Greyhound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Italian Greyhound versus American Hairless Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Bluetick Coonhound     Italian Greyhound versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Italian Greyhound versus West Highland White Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Samoyed     Italian Greyhound versus Sloughi     Italian Greyhound versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Italian Greyhound versus Bouvier des Flandres     Italian Greyhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Italian Greyhound versus French Spaniel     Italian Greyhound versus Cavapoo     Italian Greyhound versus Dachshund     Italian Greyhound versus Carolina Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Greyhound     Italian Greyhound versus Schnoodle     Italian Greyhound versus Chinook     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Saluki versus Welsh Terrier     Saluki versus Australian Shepherd     Saluki versus Beagle     Saluki versus Australian Shepherd     Saluki versus Harrier     Saluki versus Irish Wolfhound     Saluki versus Boxer     Saluki versus Australian Shepherd     Saluki versus Pharaoh Hound     Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff     Saluki versus Standard Poodle     Saluki versus Alaskan Malamute     Saluki versus English Springer Spaniel     Saluki versus Cane Corso     Saluki versus Collie     Saluki versus Akbash     Saluki versus Azawakh     Saluki versus Miniature Poodle     Saluki versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Saluki versus Australian Terrier     Saluki versus Biewer Terrier     Saluki versus Peek A Poo     Saluki versus Belgian Tervuren     Saluki versus Gordon Setter     

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