Is the Pharaoh Hound Better than the Saluki as a Pet? Answer…

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Pharaoh Hound Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki

Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are Hound Dogs. This means both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki 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.

Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki

Factor Pharaoh Hound Saluki
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 11 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 55 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $2250 – $2250
Average Price No Data $2250
Temperament Score 81.8 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 37 43

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki

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

  • Pharaoh Hounds have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Salukis have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Pharaoh Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Pharaoh Hounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Pharaoh Hounds 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki

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

    Pharaoh Hounds weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Pharaoh Hounds are 21 to 25 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 Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is 12.5 years.

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

    Salukis live longer than Pharaoh Hounds.

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Pharaoh Hound

    The Pharaoh Hound has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pharaoh Hound is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 55 Pharaoh Hounds and 67 Salukis.

    Adopting the Pharaoh Hound versus Adopting the Saluki

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

    Also, like Pharaoh Hounds, 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Pharaoh Hound versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Pharaoh Hound Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 37 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Pharaoh Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pharaoh Hound belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Pharaoh Hounds tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saluki is more popular with dog owners than the Pharaoh Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pharaoh Hound is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pharaoh Hound

    Popularity of Pharaoh Hound

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Pharaoh Hound Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 160 115
    2014 164 134
    2015 171 132
    2016 168 125
    2017 174 123
    2018 172 120
    2019 161 125
    2020 180 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki

    Pharaoh Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pharaoh Hounds shed more than Salukis?

    Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hound or the Saluki

    Pharaoh Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pharaoh Hound or the Saluki?

    Pharaoh Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Pharaoh Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pharaoh Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Pharaoh Hound vs. Saluki

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

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

    Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pharaoh Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Pharaoh Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pharaoh Hounds good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds and Salukis?

    Pharaoh Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Pharaoh Hound Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Pharaoh Hounds are fairly easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Pharaoh Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Pharaoh Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hound

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

  • Italian Greyhound (76 percent match with Pharaoh Hound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Italian Greyhound.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (75 percent match with Pharaoh Hound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Tibetan Spaniel (75 percent match with Pharaoh Hound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Tibetan Spaniel.
  • 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 Pharaoh Hound vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Pharaoh Hound vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Pharaoh Hound vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pharaoh Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pharaoh Hound versus Airedale Terrier     Pharaoh Hound versus Maltipoo     Pharaoh Hound versus Chi-Poo     Pharaoh Hound versus Clumber Spaniel     Pharaoh Hound versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Pharaoh Hound versus Bedlington Terrier     Pharaoh Hound versus Sealyham Terrier     Pharaoh Hound versus Sheepadoodle     Pharaoh Hound versus Beaglier     Pharaoh Hound versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Pharaoh Hound versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Pharaoh Hound versus Goldendoodle     Pharaoh Hound versus Vizsla     Pharaoh Hound versus Yorkipoo     Pharaoh Hound versus Xoloitzcuintli     Pharaoh Hound versus Mountain Cur     Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Pointer     Pharaoh Hound versus Bearded Collie     Pharaoh Hound versus Sloughi     Pharaoh Hound versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pharaoh Hound versus Belgian Malinois     Pharaoh Hound versus Maltese     Pharaoh Hound versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Pharaoh Hound versus Papillon     Pharaoh Hound versus Dachshund     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Saluki versus Frenchton     Saluki versus Field Spaniel     Saluki versus Shetland Sheepdog     Saluki versus Kooikerhondje     Saluki versus Collie     Saluki versus Korean Jindo Dog     Saluki versus Bullmastiff     Saluki versus Golden Retriever     Saluki versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Saluki versus Mal Shi     Saluki versus Irish Water Spaniel     Saluki versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Saluki versus Portuguese Water Dog     Saluki versus Standard Schnauzer     Saluki versus Bordoodle     Saluki versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Saluki versus Sloughi     Saluki versus Papipoo     Saluki versus Cavachon     Saluki versus King Shepherd     Saluki versus German Longhaired Pointer     Saluki versus Sheepadoodle     Saluki versus Puli     Saluki versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Conclusion: Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Saluki better suits you and your family.