Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Pyrenees Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
- Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
- Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer
- The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer
- Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer
- Health Problems of Great Pyrenees versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer
- Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
- Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Do Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Portuguese Pointer
- Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Portuguese Pointers?
- Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Pyrenees Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer? 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Great Pyrenees and for the Portuguese Pointer. 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer.
Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Great Pyrenees belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Portuguese Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Pyrenees to the Portuguese Pointer 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer
Factor | Great Pyrenees | Portuguese Pointer |
---|---|---|
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Easy To Train | 1/5 | 4/5 |
Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 3/5 |
General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Height | 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder | 20 to 22 inches |
Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 4/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Weight | 85 to 160 pounds | 35 to 59 pounds |
Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
Average Price | $830 | No Data |
Price Range | $500 – $1000 | No Data |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Pyrenees 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 Portuguese Pointer. 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 Great Pyrenees is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Pointer is a better pet than the Great Pyrenees. So, you should get the Portuguese Pointer!
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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer
Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer
The Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer.
Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Great Pyreneess are 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Portuguese Pointers weigh 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Pointers are 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer
The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is 13.0 years.
Portuguese Pointers live longer than Great Pyreneess.
Health Problems of Great Pyrenees versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Great Pyrenees is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Pyrenees than for the Portuguese Pointer.
5 health tests are recommended for Great Pyrenees while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Pyreneess and in Portuguese Pointers.
Great Pyrenees Health Problems
Great Pyreneess are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyreneess for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Pyreneess here.
Portuguese Pointer Health Problems
Portuguese Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Pointer 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 Portuguese Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Pointer 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 Portuguese Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer
Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
Great Pyreneess shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer
Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?
Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
Great Pyreneess 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.
Portuguese Pointers 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 Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Portuguese Pointer
Great Pyreneess have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Portuguese Pointers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Pyreneess can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?
Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Great Pyreneess are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Portuguese Pointers?
Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?
Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?
Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Pointer 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 Portuguese Pointer:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Great Pyrenees and how the Portuguese Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Pyrenees and of the Portuguese Pointer to other breeds:
Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Pyrenees versus German Pinscher Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler Great Pyrenees versus Toy Poodle Great Pyrenees versus Bich Poo Great Pyrenees versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Weimaraner Great Pyrenees versus Hovawart Great Pyrenees versus Keeshond Great Pyrenees versus Australian Shepherd Great Pyrenees versus English Cocker Spaniel Great Pyrenees versus Berger Picard Great Pyrenees versus Black Russian Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Great Pyrenees versus Keeshond Great Pyrenees versus Australian Shepherd Great Pyrenees versus Welsh Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Flat-Coated Retriever Great Pyrenees versus Goldendoodle Great Pyrenees versus Carolina Dog Great Pyrenees versus Havanese Great Pyrenees versus Alaskan Malamute Great Pyrenees versus Tibetan Spaniel Great Pyrenees versus Saint Berdoodle Great Pyrenees versus Fila Brasileiro Great Pyrenees versus Canaan Dog
Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer Portuguese Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler Portuguese Pointer versus Standard Schnauzer Portuguese Pointer versus Korean Jindo Dog Portuguese Pointer versus Greyhound Portuguese Pointer versus Bolognese Portuguese Pointer versus Bullmastiff Portuguese Pointer versus Chi-Poo Portuguese Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher Portuguese Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo Portuguese Pointer versus Mastiff Portuguese Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer Portuguese Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus Chinese Crested Portuguese Pointer versus Shichon Portuguese Pointer versus Whoodle Portuguese Pointer versus Affenhuahua Portuguese Pointer versus Puggle Portuguese Pointer versus Bullmastiff Portuguese Pointer versus Bernedoodle Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo Portuguese Pointer versus Pyredoodle Portuguese Pointer versus Shiloh Shepherd Portuguese Pointer versus American Hairless Terrier
Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer. 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.