Which is Better between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki?

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Miniature Schnauzer Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Saluki.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki

FactorMiniature SchnauzerSaluki
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Weight11 to 20 pounds35 to 70 pounds
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 14 years
Height13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed4/54/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/54/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/51/5
General Health3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/51/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone5/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$1950$2250
Price Range$1400 – $2500$2250 – $2250
Temperament Score79.3 percent68.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1243
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki

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

  • Miniature Schnauzers adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Miniature Schnauzers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Salukis do not like to be left alone.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki are very playful.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki are very easy to train.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

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

    The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 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 Miniature Schnauzer versus Size of Saluki

    Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki

    Miniature Schnauzer Colors

    The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

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

    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver

    Saluki Colors

    The Saluki comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Golden
    • White / Cream

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

      Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

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

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

      The Saluki live as long as the Miniature Schnauzer.

      Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

      Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the Saluki

      The Miniature Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Saluki.

      This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 67 Salukis.

      Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Saluki

      The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer.

      Miniature Schnauzer Saluki
      Average Price $1950 $2250
      Price Range $1400 to $2500 $2250 to $2250

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

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

      A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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.

      Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

      Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the Saluki

      You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Schnauzers and many Salukis are currently available for adoption.

      These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

      Below is an adorable Male Miniature Schnauzer named Bleu that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Schnauzers like Bleu on pefinder.com.

      Also, like Miniature Schnauzers, Salukis are also available for adoption. For example, Borzi is a Male Saluki that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Salukis like Borzi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

      The Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

      Benny is the name of another Miniature Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

      You can find more Miniature Schnauzers and Salukis that are available for adoption on petfinder.

      The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

      Miniature Schnauzer Saluki
      Intelligence Rank 12 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 Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki over the years.

      Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

      Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

      Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

      Popularity of Saluki

      Popularity of Saluki

      Year Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
      2013 17 115
      2014 16 134
      2015 16 132
      2016 17 125
      2017 18 123
      2018 19 120
      2019 18 125
      2020 19 144
      2021 18 128

      Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki

      Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.

      Salukis do not like to be left alone.

      Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Salukis?

      Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Saluki?

      Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Saluki?

      Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

      Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Salukis?

      Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

      Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Saluki?

      Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

      Salukis are very easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Saluki

      Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

      Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

      How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Salukis?

      Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

      Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saluki?

      Miniature Schnauzers 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.

      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 Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

      Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

      Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Salukis Tolerate Cold Weather?

      Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

      Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Saluki

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

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

      Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

      Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

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

      Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Saluki?

      Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

      Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

      Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

      Salukis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

      Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

      Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Cairn Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Giant Schnauzer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Shetland Sheepdog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Briard     Miniature Schnauzer versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chihuahua     Miniature Schnauzer versus Afghan Hound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Kishu Ken     Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart     Miniature Schnauzer versus Akita Chow     Miniature Schnauzer versus Boston Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus American Foxhound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Whippet     

      Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Saluki better suits you and your family.