A Detailed Comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Portuguese Pointer.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chinese Shar-Pei 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.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Chinese Shar-Pei Portuguese Pointer
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 4/5
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Weight 40 to 55 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1620 No Data
Price Range $1100 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is 68 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Pointer is a better pet than the Chinese Shar-Pei. So, you should get the Portuguese 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

  • Chinese Shar-Peis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Portuguese Pointers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chinese Shar-Peis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Portuguese Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very playful. However, Portuguese Pointers are very playful.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer

    The Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer.

    Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 inches tall 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 Chinese Shar-Pei versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is 10.0 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 Chinese Shar-Peis.

    Health Problems of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Chinese Shar-Pei is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chinese Shar-Pei than for the Portuguese Pointer.

    5 health tests are recommended for Chinese Shar-Pei while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinese Shar-Peis and in Portuguese Pointers.

    Chinese Shar-Pei Health Problems

    Chinese Shar-Peis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinese Shar-Pei puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chinese Shar-Pei puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinese Shar-Pei breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinese Shar-Peis for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinese Shar-Peis here.

    Portuguese Pointer Health Problems

    Portuguese Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Pointer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Portuguese Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Pointer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Portuguese Pointers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinese Shar-Pei versus Portuguese Pointer

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not shed a lot. They are good 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Portuguese Pointer

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chinese Shar-Pei Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Shar-Pei vs. Portuguese Pointer

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

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

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chinese Shar-Peis good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Shar-Peis and Portuguese Pointers?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei:

  • Chow Chow (63 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Chow Chow.
  • Affenhuahua (62 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Affenhuahua.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • American Bulldog (79 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinese Shar-Pei and how the Portuguese Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and of the Portuguese Pointer to other breeds:

    Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Shar-Pei versus Hovawart     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Boykin Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Kai Ken     Chinese Shar-Pei versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Boxerdoodle     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Harrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bedlington Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Yorkipoo     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mastiff     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Belgian Malinois     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Bulldog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Puli     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Morkie     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Portuguese Pointer     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Tibetan Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Puggle     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Irish Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Affenhuahua     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pomchi     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Field Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Finnish Lapphund     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Labrador Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Airedale Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Brussels Griffon     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli     Portuguese Pointer versus Briard     Portuguese Pointer versus Japanese Spitz     Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Mastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus German Shepherd Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus French Bulldog     Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus English Springer Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Finnish Spitz     Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu     Portuguese Pointer versus Bloodhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Whippet     Portuguese Pointer versus Maltese     Portuguese Pointer versus Basenji     Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkipoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Azawakh     Portuguese Pointer versus Australian Kelpie     Portuguese Pointer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.