Is the Leonberger Better than the Saluki as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Leonberger Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Leonberger versus Saluki

Leonberger versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Leonberger 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.

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.

Leonberger versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Saluki

Factor Leonberger Saluki
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 120 to 170 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $870 $2250
Price Range $300 – $1150 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 96.0 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 97 127

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Leonberger 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 Leonberger is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    Leonberger versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Leonberger and the Saluki

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

  • Leonbergers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Salukis are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Leonbergers 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.
  • Leonbergers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Leonbergers can tolerate cold weather. However, Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Leonbergers 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 Leonberger and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Saluki

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

    Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 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 Leonberger versus Saluki

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

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

    Salukis live longer than Leonbergers.

    Leonberger versus Saluki

    Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Saluki

    The Leonberger has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 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 96.0 percent, the Leonberger has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Leonberger and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 25 Leonbergers and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Leonberger versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Leonberger puppy is $870. The price of the Leonberger typically ranges from $300 – $1150. However, the price of a Leonberger can be as low as $300 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Leonberger 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 Leonberger.

    Leonberger Saluki
    Average Price $870 $2250
    Price Range $300 to $1150 $2250 to $2250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Leonbergers. 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 Leonberger 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.

    Leonberger versus Saluki

    The Popularity of Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Leonberger is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Leonberger is 97 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Leonberger Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 98 115
    2014 104 134
    2015 93 132
    2016 95 125
    2017 100 123
    2018 93 120
    2019 95 125
    2020 98 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Leonberger versus Saluki

    Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Leonbergers shed more than Salukis?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger or the Saluki

    Leonbergers drool moderately.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Leonbergers are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Saluki

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Leonberger or the Saluki?

    Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers and Salukis?

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

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

    Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Leonbergers are not easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Leonberger Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger

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

  • Bernese Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Mastiff (73 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Mastiff.
  • 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 Leonberger vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Leonberger versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Leonberger versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Leonberger versus Mudi     Leonberger versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Leonberger versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Leonberger versus Shih Tzu     Leonberger versus Toy Fox Terrier     Leonberger versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Leonberger versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Leonberger versus Irish Wolfhound     Leonberger versus Chorkie     Leonberger versus Rottweiler     Leonberger versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Leonberger versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Leonberger versus Dalmatian     Leonberger versus Lakeland Terrier     Leonberger versus Silky Terrier     Leonberger versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Leonberger versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Leonberger versus Cocker Spaniel     Leonberger versus Coton de Tulear     Leonberger versus Bouvier des Flandres     Leonberger versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Jack Russell Terrier     Leonberger versus Cane Corso     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Tibetan Terrier     Saluki versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Irish Terrier     Saluki versus Frenchton     Saluki versus Kuvasz     Saluki versus Shichon     Saluki versus Mal Shi     Saluki versus Finnish Spitz     Saluki versus Patterdale Terrier     Saluki versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Saluki versus Skye Terrier     Saluki versus Shetland Sheepdog     Saluki versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Saluki versus Toy Poodle     Saluki versus Great Dane     Saluki versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Pomeranian     Saluki versus Bracco Italiano     Saluki versus Plott     Saluki versus Redbone Coonhound     Saluki versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Saluki versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Tibetan Terrier     Saluki versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Saluki versus Coton de Tulear     

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