Differences and Similarities between the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki.

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Portuguese Water Dog Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog or the Saluki.

Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki

Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Portuguese Water Dog 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.

Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki

Factor Portuguese Water Dog Saluki
Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Weight 35 to 60 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2860 $2250
Price Range $2500 – $3300 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 77.9 percent 68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 50 127

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Saluki. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!

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

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki

    Below is a list of where the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are most different:

  • Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are very easy to train.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki.

    Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the 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 Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

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

    Salukis live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Saluki

    The Portuguese Water Dog has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 163 Portuguese Water Dogs and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Portuguese Water Dog versus Price of Saluki

    The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of a Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Saluki.

    Portuguese Water Dog Saluki
    Average Price $2860 $2250
    Price Range $2500 to $3300 $2250 to $2250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs. 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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.

    The Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 49 115
    2014 52 134
    2015 52 132
    2016 51 125
    2017 54 123
    2018 50 120
    2019 49 125
    2020 49 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Water Dog versus Saluki

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Portuguese Water Dogs shed more than Salukis?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog or the Saluki

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Water Dog or the Saluki?

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Water Dog vs. Saluki

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

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

    Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog or the Saluki?

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Water Dogs good family dogs? What about Salukis?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs and Salukis?

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • 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 Portuguese Water Dog vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Cane Corso     Portuguese Water Dog versus Basset Hound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Keeshond     Portuguese Water Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Azawakh     Portuguese Water Dog versus Sheepadoodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     Portuguese Water Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Portuguese Water Dog versus Akita     Portuguese Water Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Stabyhoun     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pekingese     Portuguese Water Dog versus West Highland White Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Mastiff     Portuguese Water Dog versus Shichon     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bull Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Yorkipoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Australian Shepherd     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Water Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Beaglier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Whoodle     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Standard Poodle     Saluki versus German Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Chinese Crested     Saluki versus Field Spaniel     Saluki versus Keeshond     Saluki versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Saluki versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Saluki versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Saluki versus Field Spaniel     Saluki versus Akita     Saluki versus Boxerdoodle     Saluki versus Akita     Saluki versus Sloughi     Saluki versus Miniature Schnauzer     Saluki versus Border Terrier     Saluki versus Jack Russell Terrier     Saluki versus Finnish Lapphund     Saluki versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Saluki versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Saluki versus Westiepoo     Saluki versus Field Spaniel     Saluki versus Black Russian Terrier     Saluki versus Clumber Spaniel     Saluki versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Saluki versus Afghan Hound     

    Conclusion: Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Saluki better suits you and your family.