Akita Chow versus Portuguese Water Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Akita Chow Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow or the Portuguese Water Dog.

Akita Chow versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Akita Chow 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.

Akita Chow versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Akita Chow Portuguese Water Dog
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 1/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 23 to 25 inches 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Weight 88 to 145 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 Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow is 55 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 Akita Chow. 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 Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    • Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Akita Chows 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.
    • Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs. However, Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with other dogs.
    • Akita Chows not very playful. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are very playful.
    • Akita Chows 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 Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather.

    Size Comparison of Akita Chow versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Akita Chows weigh 88 to 145 pounds when fully grown. Akita Chows are 23 to 25 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 Akita Chow versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The lifespan of Akita Chows is between 10 to 12 years . The average lifespan of Akita Chows 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 Akita Chows.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akita Chow versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Akita Chows do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Akita Chows shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Akita Chows 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 Akita Chow or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Akita Chows drool moderately.

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

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

    Akita Chows 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 Akita Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Akita Chows 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 Akita Chows Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Akita Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Akita Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akita Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akita Chow vs. Portuguese Water Dog

    Akita Chows have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Akita Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Akita Chows 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 Akita Chow or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Akita Chows good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Akita Chows and Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Akita Chows 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 Akita Chow Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Akita Chows are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Akita Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Akita Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.