Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog.

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Afador Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Afador and for the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog.

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

Afador versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afador is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Afador belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the Portuguese Water Dog 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.

Afador versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afador to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Afador Portuguese Water Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Height 20 to 29 inches 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 50 to 75 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $2500 – $3300
Average Price No Data $2860
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afador 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 Water Dog. 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 Afador is 59 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Afador. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!

    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 Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog

    Below is a list of where the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:

    • Afadors do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
    • Afadors are not easy to train. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
    • Afadors do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Afadors shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    The Similarities Between the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog

    The Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:

    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Afador versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Afadors weigh 50 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Afadors are 20 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afador versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The lifespan of Afadors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Afadors is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Portuguese Water Dogs live longer than Afadors.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afador versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Afadors can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afadors shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Afador or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Afadors drool moderately.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afador or the Portuguese Water Dog?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Afador Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Afadors 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 Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Afadors Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Afadors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afadors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afador vs. Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Afadors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afador or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Afadors get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Afadors good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afadors and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Afador Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Afadors are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Afador Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Afadors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afador or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Afadors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afador versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Afador and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.