A Detailed Comparison of the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi.

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Silky Terrier Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier or the Sloughi.

Silky Terrier versus Sloughi: Overview

A very important difference between the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Silky Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Sloughi is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Silky Terrier belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Silky Terrier versus Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sloughi

Factor Silky Terrier Sloughi
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Weight 8 to 10 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1890 No Data
Price Range $1425 – $2075 No Data
Temperament Score 73.7 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 103 189

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Silky Terrier is a better pet than the Sloughi. So, you should get the Silky 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 Silky Terrier and the Sloughi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi

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

  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are very easy to train.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi are very playful.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Silky Terrier versus Sloughi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Silky Terrier and the Sloughi.

    Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Silky Terrier versus Sloughi

    The lifespan of Silky Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers.

    Temperament of the Silky Terrier Versus the Sloughi

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Silky Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Silky Terrier is 73.7 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 73.7 percent, the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 19 Silky Terriers and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Silky Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Silky Terrier is 103 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Silky Terrier Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 92 no data
    2014 101 no data
    2015 102 no data
    2016 100 185.0
    2017 106 188.0
    2018 112 192.0
    2019 109 191.0
    2020 108 189.0

    Health Problems of Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Sloughi than for the Silky Terrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Silky Terrier while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Silky Terriers and in Sloughis.

    Silky Terrier Health Problems

    Silky Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terriers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Silky Terriers 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: Silky Terrier versus Sloughi

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

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Silky Terriers shed more than Sloughis?

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

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Silky Terrier or the Sloughi

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Silky Terrier or the Sloughi?

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Silky Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sloughi?

    Silky Terriers 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.

    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 Silky Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sloughis?

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sloughis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Silky Terrier vs. Sloughi

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

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

    Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Silky Terrier or the Sloughi?

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Silky Terriers good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers and Sloughis?

    Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Silky Terrier Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Silky Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sloughi?

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Silky Terrier or the Sloughi?

    Silky Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sloughis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Australian Terrier.
  • 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 Silky Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Silky Terrier vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus Collie     Silky Terrier versus Hovawart     Silky Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Schnoodle     Silky Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Bordoodle     Silky Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Silky Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Silky Terrier versus Pomchi     Silky Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Silky Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Silky Terrier versus Papipoo     Silky Terrier versus American Foxhound     Silky Terrier versus Borzoi     Silky Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Silky Terrier versus Pomeranian     Silky Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Silky Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Silky Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Silky Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Silky Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Silky Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Silky Terrier versus Yorkipoo     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Frenchton     Sloughi versus Portuguese Pointer     Sloughi versus Greyhound     Sloughi versus Samoyed     Sloughi versus Mudi     Sloughi versus French Bulldog     Sloughi versus Collie     Sloughi versus Beagle     Sloughi versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Sloughi versus Shiloh Shepherd     Sloughi versus Bichon Frise     Sloughi versus Pug     Sloughi versus Akita Chow     Sloughi versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Sloughi versus English Toy Spaniel     Sloughi versus Bedlington Terrier     Sloughi versus Norwegian Lundehund     Sloughi versus German Longhaired Pointer     Sloughi versus Belgian Tervuren     Sloughi versus Akita Chow     Sloughi versus Azawakh     Sloughi versus Yorkipoo     Sloughi versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sloughi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sloughi versus Australian Shepherd     

    Conclusion: Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sloughi better suits you and your family.