A Detailed Comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

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

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

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Catahoula Leopard Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Catahoula Leopard Dog Portuguese Water Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 90 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $650 $2860
Price Range $400 – $800 $2500 – $3300
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 77.9 percent
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 Catahoula Leopard 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 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with other dogs.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs not very playful. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are very playful.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Temperament of the Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus the Portuguese Water Dog

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 78.6 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 78.6 percent, the Catahoula Leopard Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    The average price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy is $650. The price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog typically ranges from $400 – $800. However, the price of a Catahoula Leopard Dog can be as low as $100 and as high as $1650. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 247 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $650 $2860
    Price Range $400 to $800 $2500 to $3300

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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.

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

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. Portuguese Water Dog

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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 Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

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

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog:

  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever (73 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
  • Hovawart (78 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (72 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Catahoula Leopard Dog and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Peek A Poo     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Weimaraner     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shihpoo     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Sheepadoodle     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Papipoo     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Chihuahua     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Pomapoo     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dogo Argentino     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus West Highland White Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus German Shepherd Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dalmatian     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Havanese     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Irish Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Standard Poodle     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shichon     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Chow Chow     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Weimaraner     Portuguese Water Dog versus German Pinscher     Portuguese Water Dog versus Black Mouth Cur     Portuguese Water Dog versus Dogo Argentino     Portuguese Water Dog versus Italian Greyhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Portuguese Water Dog versus Brittany     Portuguese Water Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Portuguese Pointer     Portuguese Water Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Manchester Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Hairless Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Samoyed     Portuguese Water Dog versus Stabyhoun     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Portuguese Water Dog versus Vizsla     Portuguese Water Dog versus Peek A Poo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Saint Bernard     Portuguese Water Dog versus Berger Picard     Portuguese Water Dog versus Akbash     Portuguese Water Dog versus Coton de Tulear     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Bulldog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     

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