Which is Better between the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Saluki Versus Scottish Deerhound: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound 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 Saluki and for the Scottish Deerhound. 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 Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound.

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

Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound: Overview

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

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

Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saluki to the Scottish Deerhound 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 Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound

Factor Saluki Scottish Deerhound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 8 to 11 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Weight 35 to 70 pounds 75 to 110 pounds
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 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 13.0 years 9.5 years
Average Price $2250 $980
Price Range $2250 – $2250 $975 – $975
Temperament Score 68.7 percent 85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 127 158
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 43 47

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Saluki 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 Scottish Deerhound. 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 Saluki is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Scottish Deerhound is 67 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saluki is a better pet than the Scottish Deerhound. 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 Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound

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

  • Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Scottish Deerhounds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Scottish Deerhounds gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Salukis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Salukis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Scottish Deerhounds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound

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

  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound

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

    Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Scottish Deerhounds weigh 75 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Deerhounds are 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound

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

    The lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is between 8 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is 9.5 years.

    Salukis live longer than Scottish Deerhounds.

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Scottish Deerhound

    The Scottish Deerhound has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Scottish Deerhound is 85.3 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 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.3 percent, the Scottish Deerhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 34 Scottish Deerhounds.

    Price of Saluki versus Price of Scottish Deerhound

    The average price of the Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of a Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Scottish Deerhound puppy is $980. The price of the Scottish Deerhound typically ranges from $975 – $975. However, the price of the Scottish Deerhound can be as low as $975 and as high as $975. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Scottish Deerhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saluki is more expensive than the Scottish Deerhound.

    Saluki Scottish Deerhound
    Average Price $2250 $980
    Price Range $2250 to $2250 $975 to $975

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Deerhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Deerhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Saluki puppy or the Scottish Deerhound 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 Intelligence of the Saluki versus the Intelligence of the Scottish Deerhound

    Saluki Scottish Deerhound
    Intelligence Rank 43 out of 130 dog breeds 47 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 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 Scottish Deerhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The Scottish Deerhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Scottish Deerhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Saluki is more intelligent than the Scottish Deerhound.

    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 Saluki versus Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    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 Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saluki is more popular with dog owners than the Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound is 158 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Year Saluki Popularity Rank Scottish Deerhound Popularity Rank
    2013 115 165
    2014 134 157
    2015 132 152
    2016 125 154
    2017 123 168
    2018 120 158
    2019 125 149
    2020 144 166

    Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Salukis shed more than Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Saluki or the Scottish Deerhound

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Scottish Deerhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Saluki or the Scottish Deerhound?

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Scottish Deerhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Saluki Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Scottish Deerhound?

    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.

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Scottish Deerhounds?

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Scottish Deerhound

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Salukis and Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.

    Is the Saluki Better for Apartment Owners than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Scottish Deerhound vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Deerhound vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Deerhound vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Scottish Deerhound

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

  • Alaskan Malamute (70 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Alaskan Malamute.
  • Icelandic Sheepdog (75 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (73 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Briard     Saluki versus Berger Picard     Saluki versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus King Shepherd     Saluki versus Harrier     Saluki versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Saluki versus Stabyhoun     Saluki versus American Hairless Terrier     Saluki versus Whippet     Saluki versus Australian Cattle Dog     Saluki versus English Setter     Saluki versus Pomeranian     Saluki versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Dalmatian     Saluki versus Bouvier des Flandres     Saluki versus Miniature Poodle     Saluki versus Irish Water Spaniel     Saluki versus Briard     Saluki versus Papillon     Saluki versus Kooikerhondje     Saluki versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Saluki versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Saluki versus Gordon Setter     Saluki versus Cesky Terrier     Saluki versus Harrier     

    Scottish Deerhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Deerhound versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Scottish Deerhound versus Labradoodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Cockapoo     Scottish Deerhound versus American Foxhound     Scottish Deerhound versus Silky Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Norwich Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Lhasa Apso     Scottish Deerhound versus American Hairless Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Bolognese     Scottish Deerhound versus Leonberger     Scottish Deerhound versus Italian Greyhound     Scottish Deerhound versus Pomchi     Scottish Deerhound versus Yorkshire Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Goldador     Scottish Deerhound versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Scottish Deerhound versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Scottish Deerhound versus Shetland Sheepdog     Scottish Deerhound versus Saint Bernard     Scottish Deerhound versus Pyredoodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Bearded Collie     Scottish Deerhound versus English Toy Spaniel     Scottish Deerhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Scottish Deerhound versus Maltipoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Italian Greyhound     

    Conclusion: Saluki versus Scottish Deerhound. 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 Saluki and the Scottish Deerhound better suits you and your family.