A Detailed Comparison of the Saluki and the Scottish Terrier.

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Saluki Versus Scottish Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Terrier.

Saluki versus Scottish Terrier

Saluki versus Scottish Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Scottish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Saluki versus Scottish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saluki to the Scottish Terrier 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 Terrier

Factor Saluki Scottish Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 13 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 70 pounds 18 to 22 pounds
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2250 $1750
Price Range $2250 – $2250 $1398 – $2000
Temperament Score 68.7 percent 65.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • OFA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 127 57
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 43 65

    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 Terrier. 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 Terrier is 77 out of 125.

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

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

    Saluki versus Scottish Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Scottish Terrier

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

  • Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Scottish Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Scottish Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Salukis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Scottish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Salukis are very easy to train. However, Scottish Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Scottish Terrier

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

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

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

    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 Terriers weigh 18 to 22 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Saluki versus Scottish Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Scottish Terriers is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Salukis live longer than Scottish Terriers.

    Saluki versus Scottish Terrier

    Temperament of the Scottish Terrier Versus the Saluki

    The Saluki has a better temperament than the Scottish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 percent while the temperament score for the Scottish Terrier is 65.7 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 65.7 percent, the Scottish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Saluki and the Scottish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 35 Scottish Terriers.

    Price of Saluki versus Price of Scottish Terrier

    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 Terrier puppy is $1750. The price of the Scottish Terrier typically ranges from $1398 – $2000. However, the price of the Scottish Terrier can be as low as $800 and as high as $3750. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 115 Scottish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saluki is more expensive than the Scottish Terrier.

    Saluki Scottish Terrier
    Average Price $2250 $1750
    Price Range $2250 to $2250 $1398 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Saluki and Scottish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Saluki puppies or how many Scottish Terrier 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 Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Terriers

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

    Saluki versus Scottish Terrier

    Adopting the Saluki versus Adopting the Scottish Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Salukis and many Scottish Terriers 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 Saluki named Archie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Salukis like Archie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Salukis, Scottish Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Maxx is a Male Scottish Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Scottish Terriers like Maxx that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Saluki and the Scottish Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Dexter O is the name of another Saluki (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Skyler – Final Update – Rip is an adorable Male Scottish Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Salukis and Scottish Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Salukis and Scottish Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Saluki versus the Intelligence of the Scottish Terrier

    Saluki Scottish Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 43 out of 130 dog breeds 65 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Scottish Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Scottish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Saluki is more intelligent than the Scottish Terrier.

    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 Terrier

    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 Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Scottish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Scottish Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Scottish Terrier

    Popularity of Scottish Terrier

    Year Saluki Popularity Rank Scottish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 115 55
    2014 134 59
    2015 132 58
    2016 125 58
    2017 123 58
    2018 120 57
    2019 125 56
    2020 144 57

    Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Scottish Terrier

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Scottish Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Salukis shed more than Scottish Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Saluki or the Scottish Terrier

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Scottish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

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

    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 Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Scottish Terriers?

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

    Scottish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

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

    Scottish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Scottish Terrier

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Scottish Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Scottish Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Scottish Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Salukis and Scottish Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Scottish Terrier?

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Scottish Terriers are not easy to train.

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

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Scottish Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Scottish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Puli (79 percent match with Scottish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Puli.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Bulldog     Saluki versus Kishu Ken     Saluki versus Collie     Saluki versus Mountain Cur     Saluki versus Harrier     Saluki versus Kishu Ken     Saluki versus American Water Spaniel     Saluki versus Spinone Italiano     Saluki versus Lakeland Terrier     Saluki versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Saluki versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Saluki versus Beagle     Saluki versus German Longhaired Pointer     Saluki versus Schipperke     Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff     Saluki versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Saluki versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Saluki versus Xoloitzcuintli     Saluki versus Black Russian Terrier     Saluki versus Collie     Saluki versus Bull Terrier     Saluki versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Saluki versus Boxer     Saluki versus German Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Bernedoodle     

    Scottish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Pomapoo     Scottish Terrier versus Akita     Scottish Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Scottish Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Scottish Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Scottish Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Scottish Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Scottish Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Cockalier     Scottish Terrier versus Border Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Scottish Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Bordoodle     Scottish Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Scottish Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Scottish Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     Scottish Terrier versus Schipperke     Scottish Terrier versus Kai Ken     

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