Differences and Similarities between the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund.

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Saluki Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.

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 Swedish Vallhund.

Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund

Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Saluki is a large-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund is a medium-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 Swedish Vallhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saluki to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

Factor Saluki Swedish Vallhund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
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 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 70 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
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 13.5 years
Average Price $2250 $2500
Price Range $2250 – $2250 $2500 – $2500
Temperament Score 68.7 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 127 155

    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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund

    Below is a list of where the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:

  • Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Swedish Vallhunds gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund.

    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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.

    Swedish Vallhunds live longer than Salukis.

    Temperament of the Swedish Vallhund Versus the Saluki

    The Swedish Vallhund has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Swedish Vallhund has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Saluki and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.

    Price of Saluki versus Price of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the Saluki.

    Saluki Swedish Vallhund
    Average Price $2250 $2500
    Price Range $2250 to $2250 $2500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Saluki and Swedish Vallhund. For different price points, the charts show how many Saluki puppies or how many Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds

    A breakdown of the prices of Swedish Vallhunds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Saluki puppy or the Swedish Vallhund 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 Saluki versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saluki is more popular with dog owners than the Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Year Saluki Popularity Rank Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank
    2013 115 147
    2014 134 158
    2015 132 155
    2016 125 163
    2017 123 149
    2018 120 169
    2019 125 159
    2020 144 147

    Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Salukis shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Saluki or the Swedish Vallhund

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Saluki or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Saluki Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    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.

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Swedish Vallhund

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

    Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Saluki or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Salukis and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Saluki Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Saluki or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund:

  • Dalmatian (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saluki versus Bouvier des Flandres     Saluki versus Basenji     Saluki versus American Bulldog     Saluki versus Borzoi     Saluki versus Frenchton     Saluki versus Havanese     Saluki versus Kishu Ken     Saluki versus Whoodle     Saluki versus English Toy Spaniel     Saluki versus Spinone Italiano     Saluki versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Saluki versus Borzoi     Saluki versus Aussiedoodle     Saluki versus Italian Greyhound     Saluki versus Ibizan Hound     Saluki versus Bulldog     Saluki versus Papipoo     Saluki versus Carolina Dog     Saluki versus Japanese Spitz     Saluki versus Briard     Saluki versus Barbet     Saluki versus Bouvier des Flandres     Saluki versus Biewer Terrier     Saluki versus Havanese     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus Fila Brasileiro     Swedish Vallhund versus Lowchen     Swedish Vallhund versus Sealyham Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Chinook     Swedish Vallhund versus Black Mouth Cur     Swedish Vallhund versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Swedish Vallhund versus Dogo Argentino     Swedish Vallhund versus Great Dane     Swedish Vallhund versus Ibizan Hound     Swedish Vallhund versus English Setter     Swedish Vallhund versus Samoyed     Swedish Vallhund versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Swedish Vallhund versus Carolina Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Giant Schnauzer     Swedish Vallhund versus Stabyhoun     Swedish Vallhund versus Kuvasz     Swedish Vallhund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Swedish Vallhund versus Korean Jindo Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Swedish Vallhund versus Basenji     Swedish Vallhund versus Puggle     Swedish Vallhund versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Swedish Vallhund versus Scottish Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Tibetan Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.