A Detailed Comparison of the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Boxer Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

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

Boxer versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are similar in size. The Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Boxer 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.

Boxer versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer 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 Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Boxer Portuguese Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1620 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2000 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 Boxer 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 Boxer is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 Boxer 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 Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer

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

    • Boxers adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Boxers 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 Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer

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

    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to train.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Boxer and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Boxer versus Portuguese Pointer

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

    Boxers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Boxers are 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder 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 Boxer versus Portuguese Pointer

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Portuguese Pointer

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boxers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Boxers 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 Boxer or the Portuguese Pointer

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

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

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Portuguese Pointer

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

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

    Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boxers 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 Boxer or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Boxers 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 Boxers and Portuguese Pointers?

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

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

    Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

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

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

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

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