Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chinook Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Chinooks shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chinook Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog.
Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog 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.
Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | Chinook | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2500 – $3300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2860 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 177 | 50 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 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 Chinook is a better pet than the Portuguese Water Dog. So, you should get the Chinook!
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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 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 Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog
The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
Chinooks live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.
Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog has a better temperament than the Chinook.
This is because the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chinook
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Chinook Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 156 | 49 |
| 2014 | 171 | 52 |
| 2015 | 177 | 52 |
| 2016 | 175 | 51 |
| 2017 | 179 | 54 |
| 2018 | 190 | 50 |
| 2019 | 184 | 49 |
| 2020 | 186 | 49 |
Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Chinook.
3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
Chinook Health Problems
Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook 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 Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook 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 Chinooks for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Portuguese Water Dogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.
This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog:
| Disease | Chinook Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 5 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 63 out of 198 dog breeds | 94 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 82 out of 182 dog breeds | 140 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Early Onset Pra problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 15 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 59 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 111 out of 144 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog
Chinooks do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Chinooks shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog
Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chinooks 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Chinooks 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 Chinooks and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chinooks are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chinooks 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 Chinook
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chinook versus Bichon Frise Chinook versus Shiba Inu Chinook versus Papipoo Chinook versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Chinook versus Shih Tzu Chinook versus Boykin Spaniel Chinook versus Weimaraner Chinook versus Schnoodle Chinook versus Cavachon Chinook versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Chinook versus Akita Chow Chinook versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Chinook versus Samoyed Chinook versus Dachshund Chinook versus Airedale Terrier Chinook versus Kai Ken Chinook versus Leonberger Chinook versus Azawakh Chinook versus Komondor Chinook versus Ibizan Hound Chinook versus Mastiff Chinook versus Miniature Schnauzer Chinook versus Great Pyrenees Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound Chinook versus Catahoula Leopard Dog
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus English Setter Portuguese Water Dog versus Basset Hound Portuguese Water Dog versus Irish Wolfhound Portuguese Water Dog versus Bulldog Portuguese Water Dog versus Morkie Portuguese Water Dog versus Border Collie Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiranian Portuguese Water Dog versus Pointer Portuguese Water Dog versus Shichon Portuguese Water Dog versus Bullmastiff Portuguese Water Dog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Portuguese Water Dog versus Norfolk Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Boerboel Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Malinois Portuguese Water Dog versus Cockapoo Portuguese Water Dog versus Pekingese Portuguese Water Dog versus Beagle Portuguese Water Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd Portuguese Water Dog versus Puli Portuguese Water Dog versus Leonberger Portuguese Water Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomchi Portuguese Water Dog versus Boxerdoodle Portuguese Water Dog versus Kuvasz
Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.