A Detailed Comparison of the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart.

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Bull Terrier Versus Hovawart: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart? 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 Bull Terrier and the Hovawart 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 Bull Terrier and the Hovawart.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart 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 Bull Terrier and for the Hovawart. 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 Bull Terrier and the Hovawart.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bull Terrier or the Hovawart.

Bull Terrier versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bull Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Hovawart 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.

Bull Terrier versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bull Terrier to the Hovawart 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 Bull Terrier and the Hovawart

Factor Bull Terrier Hovawart
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Height 21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 75 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1800 No Data
Price Range $1300 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 91.6 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Kidney Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bull Terrier 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 Hovawart. 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 Bull Terrier is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bull Terrier is a better pet than the Hovawart. So, you should get the Bull Terrier!

    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 Bull Terrier and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart

    Below is a list of where the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are most different:

    • Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Hovawarts can tolerate cold weather.
    • Bull Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Bull Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Hovawarts are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Bull Terriers are very easy to train. However, Hovawarts are not easy to train.
    • Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart

    The Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are most similar:

    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bull Terrier versus Hovawart

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart.

    Bull Terriers weigh 35 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Bull Terriers are 21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bull Terrier versus Hovawart

    The lifespan of Bull Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Bull Terriers is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Bull Terriers live longer than Hovawarts.

    Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Bull Terrier

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Bull Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Bull Terrier is 91.6 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 91.6 percent, the Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bull Terrier and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 83 Bull Terriers and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bull Terrier versus Hovawart

    Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bull Terriers shed more than Hovawarts?

    Bull Terriers shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Bull Terrier or the Hovawart

    Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bull Terrier or the Hovawart?

    Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    Bull Terriers 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.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

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

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

    Can Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bull Terrier vs. Hovawart

    Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bull Terrier or the Hovawart?

    Bull Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

    Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Bull Terriers and Hovawarts?

    Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Bull Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bull Terrier or the Hovawart?

    Bull Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bull Terrier versus Hovawart. 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 Bull Terrier and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.