Which is Better between the Leonberger and the Sloughi? A Very Detailed Review.

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Leonberger Versus Sloughi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Leonberger and the Sloughi? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Leonberger and the Sloughi better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Leonberger and the Sloughi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Leonberger and the Sloughi is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Leonberger and for the Sloughi. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Leonberger and the Sloughi.

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

Leonberger versus Sloughi: Overview

A very important difference between the Leonberger and the Sloughi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Leonberger is a giant-sized dog while the Sloughi 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 Sloughi 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 Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Leonberger to the Sloughi based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Leonberger and the Sloughi

Factor Leonberger Sloughi
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 16 years
Weight 120 to 170 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Height 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 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 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $870 No Data
Price Range $300 – $1150 No Data
Temperament Score 96.0 percent 100.0 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)
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 97 189

    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 Sloughi. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Leonberger is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Sloughi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Leonberger and the Sloughi

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

  • Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sloughis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Leonbergers can tolerate cold weather. However, Sloughis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Leonberger and the Sloughi

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

  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are not easy to train.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi 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 Sloughi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are very playful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Sloughi

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

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

    Lifespan of Leonberger versus Sloughi

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

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

    Sloughis live longer than Leonbergers.

    Temperament of the Sloughi Versus the Leonberger

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Leonberger.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 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 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Leonberger and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 25 Leonbergers and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Leonberger versus Popularity of Sloughi

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Leonberger and the Sloughi over the years.

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

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Leonberger Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 98 no data
    2014 104 no data
    2015 93 no data
    2016 95 185.0
    2017 100 188.0
    2018 93 192.0
    2019 95 191.0
    2020 98 189.0

    Health Problems of Leonberger versus Health Problems of Sloughi

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

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

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

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

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

    10 health tests are recommended for Leonberger while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

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

    Leonberger Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers here.

    Sloughi Health Problems

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

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

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

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Leonberger versus Sloughi

    Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Leonbergers shed more than Sloughis?

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

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Leonberger or the Sloughi

    Leonbergers drool moderately.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Leonbergers are very easy to groom.

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Sloughis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Leonbergers Bark and Howl? What about Sloughis?

    Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Sloughi

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

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

    Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

    Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Leonbergers and Sloughis?

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

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

    Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Leonbergers are not easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Leonberger Better for Apartment Owners than the Sloughi?

    Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sloughis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the 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 Sloughi vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Mastiff (73 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Mastiff.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sloughi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Sloughi that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Sloughi:

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

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

    Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Leonberger versus Brussels Griffon     Leonberger versus Skye Terrier     Leonberger versus Sheepadoodle     Leonberger versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Leonberger versus Siberian Husky     Leonberger versus Standard Poodle     Leonberger versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Leonberger versus Dogo Argentino     Leonberger versus Toy Poodle     Leonberger versus Boxerdoodle     Leonberger versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Leonberger versus Carolina Dog     Leonberger versus Jack Russell Terrier     Leonberger versus Papipoo     Leonberger versus Puli     Leonberger versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Leonberger versus Norwich Terrier     Leonberger versus American Hairless Terrier     Leonberger versus Giant Schnauzer     Leonberger versus Silky Terrier     Leonberger versus Papillon     Leonberger versus Tibetan Spaniel     Leonberger versus Japanese Chin     Leonberger versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sloughi versus Papipoo     Sloughi versus Pomapoo     Sloughi versus Labrador Retriever     Sloughi versus Bordoodle     Sloughi versus Portuguese Pointer     Sloughi versus Puggle     Sloughi versus Cockapoo     Sloughi versus Lowchen     Sloughi versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Sloughi versus Schnoodle     Sloughi versus Shetland Sheepdog     Sloughi versus Pug     Sloughi versus Mudi     Sloughi versus Gordon Setter     Sloughi versus Beaglier     Sloughi versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sloughi versus Ibizan Hound     Sloughi versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Sloughi versus American Eskimo Dog     Sloughi versus Affenpinscher     Sloughi versus Greyhound     Sloughi versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Sloughi versus Canaan Dog     Sloughi versus Norwegian Lundehund     

    Conclusion: Leonberger versus Sloughi. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Leonberger and the Sloughi better suits you and your family.