Differences and Similarities between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi.

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Shetland Sheepdog Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi 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 Shetland Sheepdog and for the Sloughi. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi.

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

Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi: Overview

A very important difference between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog while the Sloughi is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Shetland Sheepdog 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.

On the other hand, the Sloughi 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.

Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shetland Sheepdog to the Sloughi 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi

Factor Shetland Sheepdog Sloughi
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Height 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight Starts at 20 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1590 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 68.9 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 189

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Sloughi. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi

    Below is a list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are most different:

  • Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Sloughis are very easy to groom.

    • The Similarities Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi

    The Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are most similar:

  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are very playful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are highly intelligent.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi.

    Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Sloughis is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Sloughis is 14.0 years.

    Sloughis live longer than Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog Versus the Sloughi

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 515 Shetland Sheepdogs and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog versus Popularity of Sloughi

    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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 21 no data
    2014 21 no data
    2015 23 no data
    2016 24 185.0
    2017 24 188.0
    2018 25 192.0
    2019 25 191.0
    2020 27 189.0

    Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog versus Health Problems of Sloughi

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Sloughi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Sloughi than for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Shetland Sheepdog while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Shetland Sheepdogs and in Sloughis.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

    Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Shetland Sheepdogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    Sloughi Health Problems

    Sloughis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Sloughi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Sloughi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Sloughi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Sloughis for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Sloughis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Shetland Sheepdogs shed more than Sloughis?

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Sloughi

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Sloughi?

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Shetland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sloughi?

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

    Sloughis 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Sloughis?

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

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

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sloughis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Shetland Sheepdog vs. Sloughi

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Sloughi?

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Shetland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Shetland Sheepdogs and Sloughis?

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Sloughi?

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Sloughi?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Sloughis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sloughi

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

  • Bracco Italiano (78 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Ibizan Hound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Keeshond     Shetland Sheepdog versus Valley Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Eskimo Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sheepadoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Barbet     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomchi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puli     Shetland Sheepdog versus Irish Wolfhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Hairless Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bolognese     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pekingese     Shetland Sheepdog versus Chinese Crested     Shetland Sheepdog versus Australian Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Pointer     Shetland Sheepdog versus Belgian Malinois     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sealyham Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Giant Schnauzer     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dachshund     Shetland Sheepdog versus Clumber Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus German Pinscher     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Sloughi versus Afghan Hound     Sloughi versus Bernedoodle     Sloughi versus Pomeranian     Sloughi versus Pyredoodle     Sloughi versus Kishu Ken     Sloughi versus Portuguese Pointer     Sloughi versus Border Terrier     Sloughi versus Jack Russell Terrier     Sloughi versus American Eskimo Dog     Sloughi versus Westiepoo     Sloughi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sloughi versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Sloughi versus Cane Corso     Sloughi versus Belgian Tervuren     Sloughi versus Jack Russell Terrier     Sloughi versus Brussels Griffon     Sloughi versus Kishu Ken     Sloughi versus Brussels Griffon     Sloughi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Sloughi versus Harrier     Sloughi versus Labradoodle     Sloughi versus Saluki     Sloughi versus Irish Terrier     Sloughi versus Bluetick Coonhound     

    Conclusion: Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Sloughi better suits you and your family.