A Detailed Comparison of the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer.

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Afghan Hound Versus German Longhaired Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound and for the German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afghan Hound or the German Longhaired Pointer.

Afghan Hound versus German Longhaired Pointer: Overview

Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are similar in size. The Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Afghan Hound 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.

On the other hand, the German Longhaired 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.

Afghan Hound versus German Longhaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer

Factor Afghan Hound German Longhaired Pointer
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 60 to 71 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2290 No Data
Price Range $1912 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afghan Hound 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 German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Longhaired Pointer is not better or worse than the Afghan Hound. So, you can get the German Longhaired Pointer or the Afghan Hound!

    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 Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are most different:

    • Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.
    • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, German Longhaired Pointers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Afghan Hounds are not easy to train. However, German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.
    • Afghan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather. However, German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer

    The Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are most similar:

    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are very playful.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Afghan Hound versus German Longhaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer.

    Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Longhaired Pointers weigh 60 to 71 pounds when fully grown. German Longhaired Pointers are 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afghan Hound versus German Longhaired Pointer

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

    The lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is 12.5 years.

    German Longhaired Pointers live longer than Afghan Hounds.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus German Longhaired Pointer

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    German Longhaired Pointers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than German Longhaired Pointers?

    Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the German Longhaired Pointer

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the German Longhaired Pointer?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Afghan Hounds 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.

    German Longhaired Pointers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. German Longhaired Pointer

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

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

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

    Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    German Longhaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and German Longhaired Pointers?

    Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    German Longhaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    German Longhaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus German Longhaired 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 Afghan Hound and the German Longhaired Pointer better suits you and your family.