Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog
Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
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 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.
Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound 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 | Afghan Hound | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 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 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 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 Afghan Hound is 78 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 Afghan Hound. 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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, 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 Afghan Hound versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2390. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $2250 – $2500. However, the price of a Afghan Hound can be as low as $1800 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound.
| Afghan Hound | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $2500 to $3300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound. 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 Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 49 |
| 2014 | 98 | 52 |
| 2015 | 100 | 52 |
| 2016 | 113 | 51 |
| 2017 | 93 | 54 |
| 2018 | 113 | 50 |
| 2019 | 111 | 49 |
| 2020 | 122 | 49 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
Afghan Hound Health Problems
Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds 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.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Afghan Hounds 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.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Afghan Hounds 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.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Afghan Hounds 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 Afghan Hounds and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Afghan Hounds 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Sloughi Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Lundehund Afghan Hound versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Afghan Hound versus Lakeland Terrier Afghan Hound versus French Spaniel Afghan Hound versus Chorkie Afghan Hound versus Bedlington Terrier Afghan Hound versus Puli Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Afghan Hound versus Komondor
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Mountain Cur Portuguese Water Dog versus Cesky Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Basenji Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Crested Portuguese Water Dog versus Great Dane Portuguese Water Dog versus Akita Chow Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomsky Portuguese Water Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Bull Terrier
Conclusion: Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.