Quick Links: Table of Contents
- French Bulldog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the French Bulldog Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
- Price of French Bulldog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of French Bulldog versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of French Bulldog versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Do French Bulldogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
French Bulldog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog
French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The French Bulldog is a small-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the French Bulldog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the French Bulldog 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 | French Bulldog | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Life Span | 11 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Weight | 16 to 28 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $4610 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $3100 – $5000 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Temperament Score | 96.2 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 5 | 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is 86 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 French Bulldog is a better pet than the Portuguese Water Dog. So, you should get the French Bulldog!
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 French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog
The French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog.
French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds when fully grown. French Bulldogs are 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Temperament of the French Bulldog Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
The French Bulldog has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the French Bulldog is 96.2 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 96.2 percent, the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 52 French Bulldogs and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
Price of French Bulldog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
The average price of the French Bulldog puppy is $4610. The price of the French Bulldog typically ranges from $3100 – $5000. However, the price of a French Bulldog can be as low as $123 and as high as $40000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2308 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is more expensive than the Portuguese Water Dog.
| French Bulldog | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $4610 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $3100 to $5000 | $2500 to $3300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the French Bulldog and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many French Bulldog puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.
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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the French Bulldog is more popular with dog owners than the Portuguese Water Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the French Bulldog is 5 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of French Bulldog
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | French Bulldog Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 49 |
| 2014 | 9 | 52 |
| 2015 | 6 | 52 |
| 2016 | 6 | 51 |
| 2017 | 4 | 54 |
| 2018 | 4 | 50 |
| 2019 | 4 | 49 |
| 2020 | 2 | 49 |
Health Problems of French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the French Bulldog.
7 health tests are recommended for French Bulldog while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Bulldogs and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
French Bulldog Health Problems
French Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Bulldog 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 French Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Bulldogs here.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Portuguese Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Portuguese Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog Breed is Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.
This is because the French Bulldog ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 55 French Bulldogs, 33 of them had Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in French Bulldogs, and how common these diseases are in French Bulldogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.
This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in French Bulldog and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog:
| Disease | French Bulldog Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Cystinuria problems | 2 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | 3 out of 4 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems | 4 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 9 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 15 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 16 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 22 out of 198 dog breeds | 94 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 25 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 34 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 63 out of 144 dog breeds | 111 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 77 out of 182 dog breeds | 140 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 107 out of 115 dog breeds | 59 out of 115 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: French Bulldog versus Portuguese Water Dog
French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
French Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog
French Bulldogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Bulldogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Portuguese Water Dog
French Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Do French Bulldogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Bulldogs shed moderately.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Bulldogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Bulldogs get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Bulldogs are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the French Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Portuguese Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the French Bulldog and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Bulldog and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
French Bulldog Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Bulldog versus Gordon Setter French Bulldog versus Black and Tan Coonhound French Bulldog versus German Shepherd Dog French Bulldog versus Valley Bulldog French Bulldog versus Cane Corso French Bulldog versus Samoyed French Bulldog versus Catahoula Bulldog French Bulldog versus Maltipoo French Bulldog versus Dalmatian French Bulldog versus Chihuahua
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Boerboel Portuguese Water Dog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Portuguese Water Dog versus Biewer Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog Portuguese Water Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund Portuguese Water Dog versus Newfoundland Portuguese Water Dog versus Chow Chow Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd
Conclusion: French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.