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

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Saluki Versus Vizsla: Introduction

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

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

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 Vizsla.

Saluki versus Vizsla

Saluki versus Vizsla: Overview

A very important difference between the Saluki and the Vizsla is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Saluki is a large-sized dog while the Vizsla 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 Vizsla belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Saluki versus Vizsla: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saluki to the Vizsla 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 Vizsla

Factor Saluki Vizsla
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Weight 35 to 70 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
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 12.0 years
Average Price $2250 $1590
Price Range $2250 – $2250 $1200 – $1800
Temperament Score 68.7 percent 85.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
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  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 127 32
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 43 25

    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 Vizsla. 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 Vizsla is 79 out of 125.

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

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

    Saluki versus Vizsla

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Vizsla

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

  • Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Vizslas are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Salukis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Vizslas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Salukis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Vizslas have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Vizsla

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

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

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

    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, Vizslas weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Vizslas are 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Saluki versus Vizsla

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

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

    Salukis live longer than Vizslas.

    Saluki versus Vizsla

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Vizsla

    The Vizsla has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Vizsla is 85.2 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 85.2 percent, the Vizsla has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Saluki and the Vizsla by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 54 Vizslas.

    Price of Saluki versus Price of Vizsla

    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 Vizsla puppy is $1590. The price of the Vizsla typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. However, the price of the Vizsla can be as low as $350 and as high as $4800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 114 Vizsla puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saluki is more expensive than the Vizsla.

    Saluki Vizsla
    Average Price $2250 $1590
    Price Range $2250 to $2250 $1200 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Saluki and Vizsla. For different price points, the charts show how many Saluki puppies or how many Vizsla 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 Vizslas

    A breakdown of the prices of Vizslas

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

    The Intelligence of the Saluki versus the Intelligence of the Vizsla

    Saluki Vizsla
    Intelligence Rank 43 out of 130 dog breeds 25 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Vizsla has an obedience intelligence rank of 25 out of 130 dog breeds. The Vizsla belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Vizslas tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Vizsla is more intelligent than the Saluki.

    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 Vizsla

    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 Vizsla over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Vizsla is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Vizsla is 32 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 Vizsla

    Popularity of Vizsla

    Year Saluki Popularity Rank Vizsla Popularity Rank
    2013 115 34
    2014 134 34
    2015 132 32
    2016 125 31
    2017 123 30
    2018 120 31
    2019 125 34
    2020 144 35

    Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Vizsla

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Vizslas do not like to be left alone.

    Do Salukis shed more than Vizslas?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Saluki or the Vizsla

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Vizslas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Saluki or the Vizsla?

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Vizslas are very easy to groom.

    Does the Saluki Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Vizsla?

    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.

    Vizslas have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Vizslas?

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Vizslas Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Vizsla

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

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

    Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Vizslas Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Vizslas can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Vizslas get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Vizslas?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Salukis and Vizslas?

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

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

    Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Vizsla?

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Vizslas are very easy to train.

    Is the Saluki Better for Apartment Owners than the Vizsla?

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Vizslas do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (75 percent match with Vizsla). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (76 percent match with Vizsla). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Pointer (74 percent match with Vizsla). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Cocker Spaniel     Saluki versus Rottweiler     Saluki versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saluki versus Afador     Saluki versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Saluki versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Saluki versus Shih Tzu     Saluki versus Cesky Terrier     Saluki versus English Setter     Saluki versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Saluki versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Saluki versus Irish Wolfhound     Saluki versus English Toy Spaniel     Saluki versus Bouvier des Flandres     Saluki versus Biewer Terrier     Saluki versus Saint Bernard     Saluki versus Papipoo     Saluki versus Rottweiler     Saluki versus Carolina Dog     Saluki versus Aussiedoodle     Saluki versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Saluki versus King Shepherd     Saluki versus Toy Poodle     Saluki versus Bloodhound     Saluki versus Vizsla     

    Vizsla Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Vizsla versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Vizsla versus Skye Terrier     Vizsla versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Vizsla versus Pointer     Vizsla versus Shih Tzu     Vizsla versus Keeshond     Vizsla versus Cesky Terrier     Vizsla versus Finnish Lapphund     Vizsla versus Mudi     Vizsla versus Siberian Husky     Vizsla versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Vizsla versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Vizsla versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Vizsla versus Shichon     Vizsla versus Cockalier     Vizsla versus Patterdale Terrier     Vizsla versus Giant Schnauzer     Vizsla versus Bull Terrier     Vizsla versus Black Russian Terrier     Vizsla versus Mountain Cur     Vizsla versus Maltese     Vizsla versus Clumber Spaniel     Vizsla versus Finnish Lapphund     Vizsla versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     

    Conclusion: Saluki versus Vizsla. 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 Vizsla better suits you and your family.