Breed Comparison: Pomeranian Versus Saluki

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

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

Pomeranian versus Saluki

Pomeranian versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pomeranian 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 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.

Pomeranian versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Saluki 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 Pomeranian and the Saluki

FactorPomeranianSaluki
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/51/5
Life Span12 to 16 years12 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Low Prey Drive4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/51/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/51/5
General Health3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Potential For Playfulness3/55/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds35 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/51/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/52/5
Does NOT Shed2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/55/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/55/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$2150$2250
Price Range$1500 – $2500$2250 – $2250
Temperament Score77.8 percent68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds22127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2343

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pomeranian 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 Saluki. 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 Pomeranian is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

    Pomeranian versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Saluki

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

  • Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Salukis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Pomeranians have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Salukis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Pomeranians have low exercise needs. However, Salukis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Pomeranians adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Pomeranians gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Salukis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki 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 Pomeranian and the Saluki are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Saluki

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

    The Pomeranian weighs 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. The Pomeranian is 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Saluki weighs 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Saluki is 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Saluki

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Saluki

    Pomeranian Colors

    The Pomeranian comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Pomeranian comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brindle
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Apricot / Beige

    Saluki Colors

    The Saluki comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Golden

    The Saluki comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

      Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Saluki

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

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

      The Pomeranian live longer than the Saluki.

      Pomeranian versus Saluki

      Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Pomeranian

      The Pomeranian has a better temperament than the Saluki.

      This is because the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      With its temperament score of 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 67 Salukis.

      Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Saluki

      The average price of the Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The average price of the Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of the Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Saluki is more expensive than the Pomeranian.

      Pomeranian Saluki
      Average Price $2150 $2250
      Price Range $1500 to $2500 $2250 to $2250

      The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Saluki. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Saluki puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

      A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

      A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

      A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

      A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

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

      Pomeranian versus Saluki

      The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

      Pomeranian Saluki
      Intelligence Rank 23 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
      Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Pomeranian has an obedience intelligence rank of 23 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pomeranian belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Pomeranians tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

      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 Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian versus Popularity of Saluki

      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 Pomeranian and the Saluki over the years.

      Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 22 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

      Popularity of Pomeranian

      Popularity of Pomeranian

      Popularity of Saluki

      Popularity of Saluki

      Year Pomeranian Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
      2013 19 115
      2014 20 134
      2015 21 132
      2016 22 125
      2017 22 123
      2018 23 120
      2019 24 125
      2020 23 144
      2021 24 128

      Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Saluki

      Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

      Salukis do not like to be left alone.

      Do Pomeranians shed more than Salukis?

      Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

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

      Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

      Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

      Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Salukis?

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

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

      Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Saluki?

      Pomeranians are very easy to train.

      Salukis are very easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Saluki

      Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

      Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

      How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Salukis?

      Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

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

      Pomeranians 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.

      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.

      Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

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

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

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

      Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

      Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Saluki

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

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

      Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

      Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

      Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

      Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

      Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

      Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

      Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

      Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds

      You may also be interested in how the Pomeranian compares to other breeds aside from the Saluki. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

      Pomeranian versus Brussels Griffon     Pomeranian versus Labradoodle     Pomeranian versus Siberian Husky     Pomeranian versus King Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Chinese Crested     Pomeranian versus Vizsla     Pomeranian versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pomeranian versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Pomeranian versus Berger Picard     Pomeranian versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pomeranian versus Whippet     Pomeranian versus Azawakh     Pomeranian versus Clumber Spaniel     Pomeranian versus American Eskimo Dog     Pomeranian versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Pomeranian versus Puggle     

      Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Saluki. 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 Pomeranian and the Saluki better suits you and your family.