Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Affenpinscher Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Do Affenpinschers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Affenpinscher Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog
Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Affenpinscher is a tiny-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Affenpinscher 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 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.
Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Affenpinscher 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.
| Factor | Affenpinscher | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 9 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2220 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $500 – $1962 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 147 | 50 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher 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 a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Affenpinscher. 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 Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 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.
Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of a Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Affenpinscher.
| Affenpinscher | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2220 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $500 to $1962 | $2500 to $3300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Affenpinscher
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Affenpinscher Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 143 | 49 |
| 2014 | 144 | 52 |
| 2015 | 136 | 52 |
| 2016 | 149 | 51 |
| 2017 | 147 | 54 |
| 2018 | 148 | 50 |
| 2019 | 151 | 49 |
| 2020 | 163 | 49 |
Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Affenpinscher.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Affenpinscher.
4 health tests are recommended for Affenpinscher while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Affenpinschers and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
Affenpinscher Health Problems
Affenpinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Affenpinschers here.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog
Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Do Affenpinschers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good 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 Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog
Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Affenpinschers are not easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Affenpinscher versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Affenpinscher versus Doberman Pinscher Affenpinscher versus Pomeranian Affenpinscher versus Valley Bulldog Affenpinscher versus Shichon Affenpinscher versus Cocker Spaniel Affenpinscher versus Labradoodle Affenpinscher versus Westiepoo Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin Affenpinscher versus Plott
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Puggle Portuguese Water Dog versus Mountain Cur Portuguese Water Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Portuguese Water Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog Portuguese Water Dog versus Maltipoo Portuguese Water Dog versus Maltese Portuguese Water Dog versus Mudi Portuguese Water Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Bouvier des Flandres Portuguese Water Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier
Conclusion: Affenpinscher 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 Affenpinscher and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.