Afghan Hound vs Saluki

An Afghan Hound
Photo: Arnaud 25
A Saluki
Photo: r.

Side by side

Afghan Hound
Saluki
Adult weight
20–27 kg (44–60 lb)1
18–29 kg (40–65 lb) (breed club figure)2
Lifespan
Median 11.1 years3
Median 13.3 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Sighthounds5
Sighthounds6
Coat
Long coat5
Coat with feathering or short coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
Daily brushing
No sourced figure
Exercise
A moderate amount
Class
Companion
Companion

Which suits you

Lifespan
In UK vet records the Saluki lives longer: a median of 13.3 years, against 11.1 for the Afghan Hound.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Afghan Hound: likes its own space; Saluki: affectionate on its own terms) and on loyalty (Afghan Hound: bonded to its family; Saluki: sticks close to its people).
Alike
The Afghan Hound and the Saluki are much the same size as adults, both about 24 kg (52 lb).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Afghan Hound
Sighthounds · Medium

With strangers the breed is aloof and dignified, and it is independent in outlook, so it can be slow to obey commands. At home, though, it is often playful and affectionate.

Saluki
Sighthounds · Medium

With its family the breed is gentle and affectionate. It tends to be reserved with strangers, sensitive to harsh handling and quick to chase anything that runs.

The Afghan Hound page →The Saluki page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Afghan Hound
Saluki
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Afghan Hound
Saluki
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Afghan Hound
Saluki
Sensitivity
Needs a calm, predictable home
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Quiet
Quiet
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 24 kg.
Afghan Hound
Saluki
01020302m4m6m9m12m18m
01020302m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Afghan Hound with
Borzoi vs SalukiGreyhound vs SalukiAfghan Hound vs GreyhoundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·