Which is Better between the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff? A Very Detailed Review.

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Saluki Versus Tibetan Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff.

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 Tibetan Mastiff.

Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff

Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff: Overview

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

Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saluki to the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff

Factor Saluki Tibetan Mastiff
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 70 pounds 75 to 160 pounds
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2250 $3190
Price Range $2250 – $2250 $1500 – $3000
Temperament Score 68.7 percent 52.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 127 135

    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 Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff is 77 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are most different:

  • Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Tibetan Mastiffs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Tibetan Mastiffs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Salukis are very easy to train. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are not easy to train.
  • Salukis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Tibetan Mastiffs have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff

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

  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff.

    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, Tibetan Mastiffs weigh 75 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Mastiffs are 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is 12.0 years.

    Salukis live longer than Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Tibetan Mastiff Versus the Saluki

    The Saluki has a better temperament than the Tibetan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 percent while the temperament score for the Tibetan Mastiff is 52.9 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 52.9 percent, the Tibetan Mastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 17 Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Price of Saluki versus Price of Tibetan Mastiff

    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 Tibetan Mastiff puppy is $3190. The price of the Tibetan Mastiff typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of the Tibetan Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $8000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 18 Tibetan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Tibetan Mastiff is more expensive than the Saluki.

    Saluki Tibetan Mastiff
    Average Price $2250 $3190
    Price Range $2250 to $2250 $1500 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Saluki and Tibetan Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Saluki puppies or how many Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Mastiffs

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

    Adopting the Saluki versus Adopting the Tibetan Mastiff

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Salukis and many Tibetan Mastiffs 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 Dexter O that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Salukis like Dexter O on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Salukis, Tibetan Mastiffs are also available for adoption. For example, Beau is a Male Tibetan Mastiff that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Tibetan Mastiffs like Beau that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Saluki and the Tibetan Mastiff can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Jagger is an adorable Male Tibetan Mastiff on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Salukis and Tibetan Mastiffs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Salukis and Tibetan Mastiffs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Saluki versus Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    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 Tibetan Mastiff over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saluki is more popular with dog owners than the Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Year Saluki Popularity Rank Tibetan Mastiff Popularity Rank
    2013 115 132
    2014 134 135
    2015 132 133
    2016 125 135
    2017 123 153
    2018 120 131
    2019 125 128
    2020 144 140

    Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Salukis shed more than Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Saluki or the Tibetan Mastiff

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Saluki or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Saluki Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    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.

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

    Do Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Tibetan Mastiff

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Saluki or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Salukis and Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Saluki Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Saluki or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff:

  • Bernedoodle (71 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Bernedoodle.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (70 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus American Bulldog     Saluki versus Standard Schnauzer     Saluki versus Bolognese     Saluki versus Lowchen     Saluki versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Saluki versus Golden Retriever     Saluki versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Saluki versus Sealyham Terrier     Saluki versus Pekingese     Saluki versus Valley Bulldog     Saluki versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Saluki versus Brussels Griffon     Saluki versus Sheepadoodle     Saluki versus Whippet     Saluki versus Belgian Sheepdog     Saluki versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Saluki versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Saluki versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Papipoo     Saluki versus Goldador     Saluki versus Pomeranian     Saluki versus Patterdale Terrier     Saluki versus Boston Terrier     Saluki versus Bernedoodle     Saluki versus Australian Kelpie     

    Tibetan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Mastiff versus Bich Poo     Tibetan Mastiff versus Valley Bulldog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Boxer     Tibetan Mastiff versus Kooikerhondje     Tibetan Mastiff versus Clumber Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Tibetan Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Tibetan Mastiff versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Tibetan Mastiff versus American Water Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Siberian Husky     Tibetan Mastiff versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Tibetan Mastiff versus Kuvasz     Tibetan Mastiff versus Mastiff     Tibetan Mastiff versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Clumber Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Spanish Mastiff     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bluetick Coonhound     Tibetan Mastiff versus Boston Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Scottish Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Tibetan Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Chow Chow     Tibetan Mastiff versus Lowchen     Tibetan Mastiff versus Pomapoo     Tibetan Mastiff versus Redbone Coonhound     Tibetan Mastiff versus Puli     

    Conclusion: Saluki versus Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff better suits you and your family.