Is the Carolina Dog Better than the German Shorthaired Pointer as a Pet? Answer…

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Carolina Dog Versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and for the German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Carolina Dog or the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer

Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Overview

Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are similar in size. The Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog 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 Shorthaired 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.

Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog to the German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer

Factor Carolina Dog German Shorthaired Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 45 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $500 $1140
Price Range $500 – $500 $800 – $1300
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 78.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Carolina Dog 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 Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Carolina Dog. So, you should get the German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are most different:

  • Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Carolina Dogs are not easy to train. However, German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer

    The Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Shorthaired Pointers weigh 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Shorthaired Pointers are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointers is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Carolina Dog Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer

    The German Shorthaired Pointer has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 137 German Shorthaired Pointers.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of German Shorthaired Pointer

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of the German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog German Shorthaired Pointer
    Average Price $500 $1140
    Price Range $500 to $500 $800 to $1300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Carolina Dog and German Shorthaired Pointer. For different price points, the charts show how many Carolina Dog puppies or how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers?

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Carolina Dog puppy or the German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs and many German Shorthaired Pointers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Carolina Dog named Titus that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like Titus on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Gil is a Male German Shorthaired Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers like Gil that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Vance is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Rox is an adorable Male German Shorthaired Pointer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Carolina Dogs and German Shorthaired Pointers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Carolina Dogs and German Shorthaired Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Carolina Dog or the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Carolina Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Carolina Dogs 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 Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about German Shorthaired Pointers?

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

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

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. German Shorthaired Pointer

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Carolina Dog or the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Carolina Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Carolina Dog or the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Carolina Dog:

  • Treeing Tennessee Brindle (75 percent match with Carolina Dog). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Treeing Tennessee Brindle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Shorthaired Pointer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the German Shorthaired Pointer:

  • Field Spaniel (83 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Field Spaniel.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (80 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Pointer (81 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Carolina Dog and how the German Shorthaired Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Carolina Dog and of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Carolina Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus American Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus Cairn Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Plott     Carolina Dog versus Brussels Griffon     Carolina Dog versus Schipperke     Carolina Dog versus Bloodhound     Carolina Dog versus Cockalier     Carolina Dog versus German Shepherd Dog     Carolina Dog versus Cesky Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Kishu Ken     Carolina Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Carolina Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     Carolina Dog versus Harrier     Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Puggle     Carolina Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Carolina Dog versus Afghan Hound     Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Schnoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pomchi     German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Afghan Hound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boston Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Alaskan Malamute     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Afador     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Vizsla     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Collie     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Whoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sealyham Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Finnish Spitz     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cane Corso     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cockalier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     

    Conclusion: Carolina Dog versus German Shorthaired 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 Carolina Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer better suits you and your family.