Is the Aussiedoodle Better than the Portuguese Water Dog as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Aussiedoodle Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

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

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

Aussiedoodle versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Aussiedoodle 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.

Aussiedoodle versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Aussiedoodle 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 Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Aussiedoodle Portuguese Water Dog
Life Span 10 to 13 years 10 to 14 years
Height 10 to 15 inches 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 70 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1830 $2860
Price Range $1200 – $2400 $2500 – $3300
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 Aussiedoodle 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 Aussiedoodle is 79 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 Aussiedoodle. 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 Aussiedoodle 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 Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    • Aussiedoodles have a very high tendency to drool. However, Portuguese Water Dogs do not have the tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Aussiedoodle and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Aussiedoodle versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Aussiedoodles weigh 25 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Aussiedoodles are 10 to 15 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 Aussiedoodle versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The lifespan of Aussiedoodles is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Aussiedoodles is 11.5 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 Aussiedoodles.

    Price of Aussiedoodle versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    The average price of the Aussiedoodle puppy is $1830. The price of the Aussiedoodle typically ranges from $1200 – $2400. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1885 Aussiedoodle 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 Aussiedoodle.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Aussiedoodle and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Aussiedoodle puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Aussiedoodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Aussiedoodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    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 Aussiedoodle 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Aussiedoodle versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Aussiedoodles do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Aussiedoodles shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Aussiedoodles shed moderately.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Aussiedoodle or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Aussiedoodles have a very high tendency to drool.

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

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

    Aussiedoodles are moderately easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Aussiedoodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Aussiedoodles have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Aussiedoodles Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

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

    Can Aussiedoodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Aussiedoodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Aussiedoodle vs. Portuguese Water Dog

    Aussiedoodles 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 Aussiedoodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Aussiedoodles can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Aussiedoodle or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Aussiedoodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Aussiedoodles good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Aussiedoodles 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 Aussiedoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

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

    Is the Aussiedoodle Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Aussiedoodles are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Aussiedoodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Aussiedoodles do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Aussiedoodles are OK for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

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