Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Bulldog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size Comparison of American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the American Bulldog
- Price of American Bulldog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of American Bulldog versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do American Bulldogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the American Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do American Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Bulldog vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are American Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are American Bulldogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the American Bulldog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Conclusion: American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Bulldog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog.
American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Bulldog is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog 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.
American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | American Bulldog | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 16 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 20 to 28 inches | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 120 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1400 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $912 – $1600 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Temperament Score | 86.9 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog is 70 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 American Bulldog. 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 American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
- American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
- American Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with other dogs.
- American Bulldogs are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things.
- American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Portuguese Water Dogs do not have the tendency to drool.
The Similarities Between the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
The American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are very easy to train.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Size Comparison of American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
American Bulldogs weigh 60 to 120 pounds when fully grown. American Bulldogs are 20 to 28 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 American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
The lifespan of American Bulldogs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Bulldogs is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
American Bulldogs live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.
Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the American Bulldog
The American Bulldog has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the American Bulldog is 86.9 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 86.9 percent, the American Bulldog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 214 American Bulldogs and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
Price of American Bulldog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
The average price of the American Bulldog puppy is $1400. The price of the American Bulldog typically ranges from $912 – $1600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 302 American Bulldog 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. 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 American Bulldog.
The charts below show the price distribution for the American Bulldog and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many American Bulldog puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of American Bulldogs. 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 American Bulldog 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Health Problems of American Bulldog versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the American Bulldog.
7 health tests are recommended for American Bulldog while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Bulldogs and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
American Bulldog Health Problems
American Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Bulldog 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 American Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Bulldogs 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: American Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
American Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do American Bulldogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog
American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
American Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the American Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
American Bulldogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Bulldog vs. Portuguese Water Dog
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
American Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are American Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?
American Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the American Bulldog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
American Bulldogs are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the American Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
American Bulldogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.