Which is Better between the Keeshond and the Saluki? A Very Detailed Review.

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Keeshond Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Keeshond versus Saluki

Keeshond versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Keeshond 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.

Keeshond versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Saluki

Factor Keeshond Saluki
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Weight 35 to 45 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1680 $2250
Price Range $1250 – $1850 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 81.6 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 89 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 16 43

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Keeshond 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 Keeshond is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    Keeshond versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Keeshond and the Saluki

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

  • Keeshonds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Salukis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Keeshonds adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Keeshonds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Keeshonds gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Keeshonds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Salukis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Keeshonds can tolerate cold weather. However, Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Keeshonds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Salukis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Keeshond and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki are very easy to train.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Keeshond and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Keeshond versus Saluki

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

    Keeshonds weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Keeshonds are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 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 Keeshond versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Keeshonds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Keeshonds is 13.5 years.

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

    Keeshonds live longer than Salukis.

    Keeshond versus Saluki

    Temperament of the Keeshond Versus the Saluki

    The Keeshond has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Keeshond is 81.6 percent while the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 81.6 percent, the Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 87 Keeshonds and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Keeshond versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Keeshond puppy is $1680. The price of the Keeshond typically ranges from $1250 – $1850. However, the price of a Keeshond can be as low as $600 and as high as $5750. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 51 Keeshond 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 Keeshond.

    Keeshond Saluki
    Average Price $1680 $2250
    Price Range $1250 to $1850 $2250 to $2250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Keeshonds. 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 Keeshond 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.

    Keeshond versus Saluki

    Adopting the Keeshond versus Adopting the Saluki

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

    Also, like Keeshonds, 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 Keeshond and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Fosters is the name of another Keeshond (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.

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Keeshond versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Keeshond Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 16 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Keeshond has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Keeshond belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Keeshonds tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Keeshond is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Keeshond is 89 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Keeshond

    Popularity of Keeshond

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Keeshond Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 86 115
    2014 87 134
    2015 84 132
    2016 92 125
    2017 87 123
    2018 95 120
    2019 88 125
    2020 96 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Keeshond versus Saluki

    Keeshonds do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Keeshonds shed more than Salukis?

    Keeshonds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Keeshond or the Saluki

    Keeshonds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Keeshond or the Saluki?

    Keeshonds are moderately easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Keeshond Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Keeshonds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Keeshonds Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

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

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

    Can Keeshonds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Keeshonds can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Keeshond vs. Saluki

    Keeshonds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Keeshonds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Keeshonds 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 Keeshond or the Saluki?

    Keeshonds get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Keeshonds good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds and Salukis?

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

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

    Is the Keeshond Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Keeshonds are very easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Keeshond Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Keeshonds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Keeshonds 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 Keeshond

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

  • American Eskimo Dog (82 percent match with Keeshond). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Collie (84 percent match with Keeshond). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Collie.
  • 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 Keeshond vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Keeshond vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Keeshond vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Keeshond Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Keeshond versus Berger Picard     Keeshond versus Jack Russell Terrier     Keeshond versus Lowchen     Keeshond versus Tibetan Spaniel     Keeshond versus Peek A Poo     Keeshond versus Labradoodle     Keeshond versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Keeshond versus Maltipoo     Keeshond versus Lowchen     Keeshond versus Bloodhound     Keeshond versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Keeshond versus Swedish Vallhund     Keeshond versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Keeshond versus Irish Wolfhound     Keeshond versus English Setter     Keeshond versus Lowchen     Keeshond versus Lowchen     Keeshond versus Australian Shepherd     Keeshond versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Keeshond versus Great Pyrenees     Keeshond versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Keeshond versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Keeshond versus Bloodhound     Keeshond versus Bouvier des Flandres     Keeshond versus Clumber Spaniel     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Rottweiler     Saluki versus Golden Retriever     Saluki versus Afghan Hound     Saluki versus Italian Greyhound     Saluki versus Borzoi     Saluki versus Great Dane     Saluki versus Shiba Inu     Saluki versus Dalmatian     Saluki versus Bullmastiff     Saluki versus Skye Terrier     Saluki versus Bullmastiff     Saluki versus Italian Greyhound     Saluki versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Saluki versus Cockalier     Saluki versus Affenpinscher     Saluki versus Australian Cattle Dog     Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound     Saluki versus Xoloitzcuintli     Saluki versus American Eskimo Dog     Saluki versus Westiepoo     Saluki versus American Eskimo Dog     Saluki versus Mountain Cur     Saluki versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Saluki versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Saluki versus Shihpoo     

    Conclusion: Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Saluki better suits you and your family.