Dutch Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Dutch Shepherd Versus German Wirehaired Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd and for the German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dutch Shepherd or the German Wirehaired Pointer

Dutch Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dutch Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the German Wirehaired Pointer is a large-sized dog.

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

On the other hand, the German Wirehaired 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.

Dutch Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd to the German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd German Wirehaired Pointer
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 60 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1590 $990
Price Range $900 – $2000 $800 – $1200
Temperament Score 96.2 percent 77.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • *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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a German Wirehaired Pointer is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the German Wirehaired Pointer. So, you should get the Dutch Shepherd!

    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 Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are most different:

  • Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer

    The Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Wirehaired Pointers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Wirehaired Pointers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer Versus the Dutch Shepherd

    The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 percent while the temperament score for the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 they 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 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 18 German Wirehaired Pointers.

    Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of German Wirehaired Pointer

    The average price of the Dutch Shepherd puppy is $1590. The price of the Dutch Shepherd typically ranges from $900 – $2000. However, the price of a Dutch Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 116 Dutch Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the German Wirehaired Pointer puppy is $990. The price of the German Wirehaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a German Wirehaired Pointer can be as low as $250 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 83 German Wirehaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Dutch Shepherd is more expensive than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    Dutch Shepherd German Wirehaired Pointer
    Average Price $1590 $990
    Price Range $900 to $2000 $800 to $1200

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dutch Shepherd puppy or the German Wirehaired 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the German Wirehaired Pointer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dutch Shepherds and many German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd named Mercy – Located In Connecticut that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dutch Shepherds like Mercy – Located In Connecticut on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dutch Shepherds, German Wirehaired Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Whistler Nocats! is a Male German Wirehaired Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more German Wirehaired Pointers like Whistler Nocats! that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Saber is the name of another Dutch Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Gunner, an adorable Male German Wirehaired Pointer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Dutch Shepherds and German Wirehaired Pointers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Dutch Shepherds and German Wirehaired Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Wirehaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about German Wirehaired Pointers?

    Dutch Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. German Wirehaired Pointer

    Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    German Wirehaired 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.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    German Wirehaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about German Wirehaired Pointers?

    Dutch Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and German Wirehaired Pointers?

    Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than German Wirehaired Pointers?

    Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd:

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Japanese Spitz.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer

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

  • Australian Kelpie (81 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (83 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dutch Shepherd and how the German Wirehaired Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and of the German Wirehaired Pointer to other breeds:

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Giant Schnauzer     Dutch Shepherd versus Korean Jindo Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Dutch Shepherd versus Great Dane     Dutch Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel     Dutch Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Cairn Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Hovawart     

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Finnish Spitz     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pomchi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Beagle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Saluki     German Wirehaired Pointer versus American Eskimo Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pyredoodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bullmastiff     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus German Wirehaired 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 Dutch Shepherd and the German Wirehaired Pointer better suits you and your family.