Is the Akbash Better than the Portuguese Pointer as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Akbash Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akbash 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 Akbash 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 Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akbash 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 Akbash 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 Akbash 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 Akbash or the Portuguese Pointer.

Akbash versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Akbash 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.

Akbash versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akbash 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 Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Akbash Portuguese Pointer
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 27 to 34 inches 20 to 22 inches
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 140 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $610 No Data
Price Range $500 – $800 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akbash 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 Akbash is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 Akbash 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 Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

    • Akbashs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Portuguese Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Akbashs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Portuguese Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Akbashs can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
    • Akbashs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    The Similarities Between the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer

    The Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:

    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Size Comparison of Akbash versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer.

    Akbashs weigh 75 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Akbashs are 27 to 34 inches 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 Akbash versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Akbashs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akbashs 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 Akbashs.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akbash versus Portuguese Pointer

    Akbashs can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Akbashs shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Akbashs 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 Akbash or the Portuguese Pointer

    Akbashs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akbash or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Akbashs are moderately easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Akbash Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Akbashs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Akbashs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Akbashs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Akbashs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akbashs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akbash vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Akbashs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Akbashs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akbash or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Akbashs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Akbashs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Akbashs 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 Akbashs and Portuguese Pointers?

    Akbashs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Akbash Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Akbashs are fairly easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Akbash Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Akbashs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akbash or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Akbashs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akbash 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 Akbash and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.