A Detailed Comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

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Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

On the other hand, the Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

Factor Flat-Coated Retriever Portuguese Water Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1350 $2860
Price Range $1150 – $1800 $2500 – $3300
Temperament Score 92.0 percent 77.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 94 50

    *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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!

    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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog

    Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:

  • Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog

    The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet 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.

    Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of a Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $1350 $2860
    Price Range $1150 to $1800 $2500 to $3300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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.

    The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Year Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 94 49
    2014 92 52
    2015 86 52
    2016 89 51
    2017 96 54
    2018 91 50
    2019 104 49
    2020 102 49

    Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers 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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 28 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 85 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 129 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 129 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 172 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 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:

  • Early Onset Pra problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 15 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 59 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 94 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 111 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 140 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog:

    Disease Flat-Coated Retriever Rank Portuguese Water Dog Rank
    Thyroid problems 28 out of 115 dog breeds 59 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 85 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 129 out of 144 dog breeds 111 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 129 out of 182 dog breeds 140 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 172 out of 198 dog breeds 94 out of 198 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

    *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.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

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

    Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Portuguese Water Dog

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
  • 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:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Korean Jindo Dog     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Toy Poodle     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Affenpinscher     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Dalmatian     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Portuguese Water Dog versus Komondor     Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiranian     Portuguese Water Dog versus Plott     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Portuguese Water Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Portuguese Water Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Portuguese Water Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     

    Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.