Guide on Deciding Betweeen the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

American Foxhound Versus German Longhaired Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound or the German Longhaired Pointer.

American Foxhound versus German Longhaired Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Foxhound is a medium-sized dog while the German Longhaired Pointer is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Foxhound 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.

American Foxhound versus German Longhaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer

Factor American Foxhound German Longhaired Pointer
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 13 years 11 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Height 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 40 to 60 pounds 60 to 71 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $460 No Data
Price Range $400 – $500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound is 74 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 a better pet than the American Foxhound. So, you should get the German Longhaired Pointer!

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

The Similarities Between the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer

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

  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

Size Comparison of American Foxhound versus German Longhaired Pointer

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer.

American Foxhounds weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Foxhounds are 21 to 25 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 American Foxhound versus German Longhaired Pointer

The lifespan of American Foxhounds is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of American Foxhounds is 12.5 years.

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

Tolerates Being Alone: American Foxhound versus German Longhaired Pointer

American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

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

Do American Foxhounds shed more than German Longhaired Pointers?

American Foxhounds shed moderately.

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

Which one drools more, the American Foxhound or the German Longhaired Pointer

American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

Which is Easier to Groom, the American Foxhound or the German Longhaired Pointer?

American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

Does the American Foxhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Longhaired Pointer?

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Bark and Howl? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

American Foxhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: American Foxhound vs. German Longhaired Pointer

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhound or the German Longhaired Pointer?

American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

Are American Foxhounds good family dogs? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds and German Longhaired Pointers?

American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

Is the American Foxhound Easier to Train than the German Longhaired Pointer?

American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

Is the American Foxhound Better for Apartment Owners than the German Longhaired Pointer?

American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Foxhound or the German Longhaired Pointer?

American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

Conclusion: American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the German Longhaired Pointer better suits you and your family.