Differences and Similarities between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki.

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Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Neapolitan Mastiff versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Neapolitan Mastiff 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.

Neapolitan Mastiff versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki

Factor Neapolitan Mastiff Saluki
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 4/5
Weight 120 to 200 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 5/5
Life Span 8 to 10 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 9.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2870 $2250
Price Range $1800 – $3700 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 104 127

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 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 Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki

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

  • Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Salukis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Neapolitan Mastiffs 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.
  • Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Salukis do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Neapolitan Mastiffs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • The Similarities Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Saluki

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs weigh 120 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Neapolitan Mastiffs are 24 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 Neapolitan Mastiff versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is 9.0 years.

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

    Salukis live longer than Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Neapolitan Mastiff Versus the Saluki

    The Saluki has a better temperament than the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 percent while the temperament score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 15 Neapolitan Mastiffs and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy is $2870. The price of the Neapolitan Mastiff typically ranges from $1800 – $3700. However, the price of a Neapolitan Mastiff can be as low as $500 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 83 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is more expensive than the Saluki.

    Neapolitan Mastiff Saluki
    Average Price $2870 $2250
    Price Range $1800 to $3700 $2250 to $2250

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Neapolitan Mastiffs. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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.

    Adopting the Neapolitan Mastiff versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiff named Thor (New Intake) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Neapolitan Mastiffs like Thor (New Intake) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Neapolitan Mastiffs, Salukis are also available for adoption. For example, Ollie is a Male Saluki that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Salukis like Ollie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Canelo is the name of another Neapolitan Mastiff (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Archie is an adorable Male Saluki on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

    The Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Neapolitan Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Neapolitan Mastiff is 104 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff

    Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Neapolitan Mastiff Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 111 115
    2014 114 134
    2015 106 132
    2016 99 125
    2017 107 123
    2018 102 120
    2019 100 125
    2020 100 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Neapolitan Mastiff versus Saluki

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Neapolitan Mastiffs shed more than Salukis?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Saluki

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Saluki?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Neapolitan Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

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

    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 Neapolitan Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

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

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

    Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Neapolitan Mastiff vs. Saluki

    Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiff or the Saluki?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Neapolitan Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs and Salukis?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Neapolitan Mastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiff

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

  • Doberman Pinscher (67 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Doberman Pinscher.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Mastiff.
  • Spanish Mastiff (69 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Spanish 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 Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Neapolitan Mastiff versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Lakeland Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Beagle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Brussels Griffon     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Belgian Malinois     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Miniature Pinscher     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shiranian     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Lhasapoo     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shichon     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Chinook     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Dogo Argentino     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Leonberger     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Collie     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Bouvier des Flandres     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Chinese Crested     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Mudi     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Neapolitan Mastiff versus English Toy Spaniel     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Welsh Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus French Spaniel     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Westiepoo     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Cockapoo     Saluki versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saluki versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Saluki versus Maltipoo     Saluki versus Cane Corso     Saluki versus Shih Tzu     Saluki versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Saluki versus Samoyed     Saluki versus Brussels Griffon     Saluki versus Doberman Pinscher     Saluki versus Cane Corso     Saluki versus Gordon Setter     Saluki versus Biewer Terrier     Saluki versus Shetland Sheepdog     Saluki versus Harrier     Saluki versus Westiepoo     Saluki versus Boxer     Saluki versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Saluki versus Italian Greyhound     Saluki versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Cane Corso     Saluki versus Chinese Crested     Saluki versus Papipoo     Saluki versus French Bulldog     Saluki versus American Staffordshire Terrier     

    Conclusion: Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Saluki better suits you and your family.