A Detailed Comparison of the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Cocker Spaniel Versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel or the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer

Factor Cocker Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Weight 24 to 28 pounds 45 to 70 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1760 $1140
Price Range $1200 – $2000 $800 – $1300
Temperament Score 82.0 percent 78.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 29 10
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 20 17

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel is 77 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 Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the German Shorthaired Pointer. So, you should get the Cocker Spaniel!

    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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are most different:

  • Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.
  • Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer

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

  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    Cocker Spaniels weigh 24 to 28 pounds when fully grown. Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 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 Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    The lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cocker Spaniels 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.

    Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Temperament of the German Shorthaired Pointer Versus the Cocker Spaniel

    The Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 82.0 percent, the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 233 Cocker Spaniels and 137 German Shorthaired Pointers.

    Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of German Shorthaired Pointer

    The average price of the Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1760. The price of the Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of a Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $700 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    Cocker Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer
    Average Price $1760 $1140
    Price Range $1200 to $2000 $800 to $1300

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels. 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 Cocker Spaniel 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.

    Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Adopting the Cocker Spaniel versus Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniel named Tuffy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cocker Spaniels like Tuffy on pefinder.com.

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

    The Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Brownie is the name of another Cocker Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Cocker Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    The Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Cocker Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer
    Intelligence Rank 20 out of 130 dog breeds 17 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 20 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 17 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that German Shorthaired Pointers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer is more intelligent than the Cocker Spaniel.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Cocker Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Cocker Spaniel is 29 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Year Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank
    2013 29 13
    2014 30 12
    2015 30 11
    2016 29 11
    2017 29 10
    2018 30 9
    2019 28 9
    2020 30 9

    Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of German Shorthaired 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Cocker Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer than for the Cocker Spaniel.

    2 health tests are recommended for Cocker Spaniel while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cocker Spaniels and in German Shorthaired Pointers.

    Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

    Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniels for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker Spaniels here.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems

    German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shorthaired 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 German Shorthaired Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shorthaired 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 German Shorthaired Pointers for:

  • 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
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cocker Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers

    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 Cocker Spaniel Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Cocker Spaniel ranks 12 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1845 Cocker Spaniels, 145 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cocker Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Cocker Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 12 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 22 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 26 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 28 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 125 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 144 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 German Shorthaired Pointer Breed is Cone Degeneration problems.

    This is because the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Cone Degeneration problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1475 German Shorthaired Pointers, 1 of them had Cone Degeneration problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shorthaired Pointers, and how common these diseases are in German Shorthaired Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cone Degeneration problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 12 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 55 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 68 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 69 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 118 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 121 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 174 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cocker Spaniel and in German Shorthaired Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer:

    Disease Cocker Spaniel Rank German Shorthaired Pointer Rank
    Patella problems 12 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 22 out of 115 dog breeds 68 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 26 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 28 out of 182 dog breeds 118 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 125 out of 144 dog breeds 121 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 144 out of 198 dog breeds 174 out of 198 dog breeds
    Cone Degeneration problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 12 out of 22 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 42 out of 71 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 55 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 69 out of 159 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: Cocker Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniel or the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. German Shorthaired Pointer

    Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers?

    Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cocker Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel:

  • Bichon Frise (77 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • 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 Cocker Spaniel vs Field Spaniel.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (80 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Pointer (81 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese     Cocker Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     Cocker Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Cocker Spaniel versus Chorkie     Cocker Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Cocker Spaniel versus Shiranian     Cocker Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Cocker Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Cocker Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso     Cocker Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Cocker Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Boxer     Cocker Spaniel versus Cane Corso     Cocker Spaniel versus Korean Jindo Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Boerboel     Cocker Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Bordoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     Cocker Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     Cocker Spaniel versus Cesky Terrier     

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Great Dane     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Australian Kelpie     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bolognese     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bordoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Chi-Poo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cockalier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Spanish Mastiff     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Irish Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Jack Russell Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boerboel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Australian Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Border Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bordoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Italian Greyhound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Australian Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pointer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boerboel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Carolina Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Biewer Terrier     

    Conclusion: Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer better suits you and your family.