Is the Sloughi Better than the Swedish Vallhund as a Pet? Answer…

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Sloughi Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Sloughi 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 Sloughi 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 Sloughi 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 Sloughi or the Swedish Vallhund.

Sloughi versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Sloughi is a large-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

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.

Sloughi versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Sloughi 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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund

Factor Sloughi Swedish Vallhund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Height 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Weight 40 to 63 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $2500 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2500
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • 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
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 189 155

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Sloughi 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 Sloughi is 79 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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Sloughi versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 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 Sloughi versus Swedish Vallhund

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

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

    Sloughis live longer than Swedish Vallhunds.

    Temperament of the Sloughi Versus the Swedish Vallhund

    The Sloughi has the same temperament score as the Swedish Vallhund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 3 Sloughis and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.

    The Popularity of Sloughi 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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Swedish Vallhund is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Year Sloughi Popularity Rank Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank
    2016 185.0 163
    2017 188.0 149
    2018 192.0 169
    2019 191.0 159
    2020 189.0 147
    2013 no data 147
    2014 no data 158
    2015 no data 155

    Health Problems of Sloughi versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Sloughi than for the Swedish Vallhund.

    6 health tests are recommended for Sloughi while 2 tests are recommended for the Swedish Vallhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Sloughis and in Swedish Vallhunds.

    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.

    Swedish Vallhund Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Swedish Vallhunds here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Sloughi versus Swedish Vallhund

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Sloughis shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

    Sloughis shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Sloughi or the Swedish Vallhund

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    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 Sloughis Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

    Sloughis 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 Sloughis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Sloughi vs. Swedish Vallhund

    Sloughis have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Sloughis 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 Sloughi or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Sloughis good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

    Sloughis 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 Sloughis and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

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

    Is the Sloughi Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

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

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Sloughis 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 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 Swedish Vallhund vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Swedish Vallhund vs Ibizan Hound.
  • 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 Sloughi vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Sloughi versus Toy Fox Terrier     Sloughi versus Labradoodle     Sloughi versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Sloughi versus Akbash     Sloughi versus Shichon     Sloughi versus Komondor     Sloughi versus Welsh Terrier     Sloughi versus Airedale Terrier     Sloughi versus Golden Retriever     Sloughi versus Great Pyrenees     Sloughi versus Affenhuahua     Sloughi versus Pomeranian     Sloughi versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Sloughi versus Sealyham Terrier     Sloughi versus Valley Bulldog     Sloughi versus Hovawart     Sloughi versus Weimaraner     Sloughi versus English Springer Spaniel     Sloughi versus Great Pyrenees     Sloughi versus Kuvasz     Sloughi versus Labrador Retriever     Sloughi versus Bluetick Coonhound     Sloughi versus Morkie     Sloughi versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus Shetland Sheepdog     Swedish Vallhund versus Australian Kelpie     Swedish Vallhund versus Miniature Pinscher     Swedish Vallhund versus Weimaraner     Swedish Vallhund versus English Setter     Swedish Vallhund versus Affenhuahua     Swedish Vallhund versus Standard Schnauzer     Swedish Vallhund versus Catahoula Bulldog     Swedish Vallhund versus Weimaraner     Swedish Vallhund versus Kishu Ken     Swedish Vallhund versus Lakeland Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Cesky Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Standard Poodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Field Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus English Toy Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Japanese Chin     Swedish Vallhund versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Swedish Vallhund versus Skye Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Shihpoo     Swedish Vallhund versus Bearded Collie     Swedish Vallhund versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Swedish Vallhund versus Mudi     Swedish Vallhund versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Swedish Vallhund versus Irish Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Sloughi 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 Sloughi and the Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.