Breed Comparison: Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Portuguese Pointer

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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.

Factor Dandie Dinmont Terrier Portuguese Pointer
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get the Dandie Dinmont Terrier!

    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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer

    The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers weigh 18 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are 8 to 11 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.

    Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer

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

    Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Portuguese Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Pointer than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dandie Dinmont Terriers and in Portuguese Pointers.

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Health Problems

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

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dandie Dinmont Terriers 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.

    Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Portuguese Pointers?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers 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.

    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.

    Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier:

  • Cavapoo (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Cavapoo.
  • Shih Tzu (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Shih Tzu.

    • 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Patterdale Terrier.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Portuguese Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Portuguese Pointer to other breeds:

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus French Spaniel     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Maltese     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Komondor     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mountain Cur     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Vizsla     Portuguese Pointer versus Leonberger     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     Portuguese Pointer versus Sheepadoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Silky Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Bolognese     Portuguese Pointer versus Weimaraner     Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkipoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Sheepadoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund     

    Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.