A Detailed Comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever.

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German Longhaired Pointer Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever 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 German Longhaired Pointer and for the Labrador Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever.

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

German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever

German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever: Overview

Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are similar in size. The German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are Sporting Dogs. This means both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever 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.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Longhaired Pointer to the Labrador Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever

Factor German Longhaired Pointer Labrador Retriever
Life Span 11 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 60 to 71 pounds 55 to 80 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $850 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1290
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Centronuclear Myopathy
  • D Locus (Dilute) DNA Test
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • prcd-PRA DNA Test
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Longhaired Pointer 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 Labrador Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Labrador Retriever is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Longhaired Pointer is a better pet than the Labrador Retriever. So, you should get the German Longhaired Pointer!

    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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever

    Below is a list of where the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are most different:

  • German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Labrador Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • German Longhaired Pointers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Labrador Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things.

    • The Similarities Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever

    The German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever.

    German Longhaired Pointers weigh 60 to 71 pounds when fully grown. German Longhaired Pointers are 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Labrador Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Labrador Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever

    The lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is 11.0 years.

    German Longhaired Pointers live longer than Labrador Retrievers.

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever
    German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever

    German Longhaired Pointers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers shed more than Labrador Retrievers?

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

    Labrador Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Labrador Retriever

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Labrador Retrievers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Labrador Retriever?

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Longhaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?

    German Longhaired Pointers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Labrador Retrievers 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.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Labrador Retrievers?

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

    Labrador Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Labrador Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Longhaired Pointer vs. Labrador Retriever

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

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

    Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Labrador Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Labrador Retriever?

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Labrador Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Longhaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Labrador Retrievers?

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

    Labrador Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are German Longhaired Pointers and Labrador Retrievers?

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

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

    Is the German Longhaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Is the German Longhaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Labrador Retriever?

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Labrador Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Labrador Retriever?

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

    Labrador Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Longhaired Pointer

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

  • Aussiedoodle (78 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Labrador Retriever vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Black Mouth Cur (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Labrador Retriever vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Labrador Retriever vs Boxerdoodle.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labrador 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 Labrador Retriever:

  • Golden Retriever (75 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Golden Retriever.
  • Aussiedoodle (73 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (77 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (79 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Shiloh Shepherd.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the German Longhaired Pointer and how the Labrador Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer and of the Labrador Retriever to other breeds:

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Bluetick Coonhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Kishu Ken     German Longhaired Pointer versus Belgian Malinois     German Longhaired Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     German Longhaired Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Stabyhoun     German Longhaired Pointer versus Hovawart     German Longhaired Pointer versus Afador     German Longhaired Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bloodhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer     German Longhaired Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     German Longhaired Pointer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     German Longhaired Pointer versus Valley Bulldog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Shih Tzu     German Longhaired Pointer versus Shiranian     German Longhaired Pointer versus Mountain Cur     German Longhaired Pointer versus Mal Shi     German Longhaired Pointer versus Vizsla     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bernedoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bich Poo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai     German Longhaired Pointer versus Affenpinscher     

    Labrador Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Labrador Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel     Labrador Retriever versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Labrador Retriever versus Cane Corso     Labrador Retriever versus Labradoodle     Labrador Retriever versus Fila Brasileiro     Labrador Retriever versus Kooikerhondje     Labrador Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Labrador Retriever versus Basenji     Labrador Retriever versus Cavapoo     Labrador Retriever versus Boxerdoodle     Labrador Retriever versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Labrador Retriever versus Shiba Inu     Labrador Retriever versus Cavachon     Labrador Retriever versus Finnish Spitz     Labrador Retriever versus Belgian Sheepdog     Labrador Retriever versus Mal Shi     Labrador Retriever versus Spanish Mastiff     Labrador Retriever versus Samoyed     Labrador Retriever versus Mountain Cur     Labrador Retriever versus Fila Brasileiro     Labrador Retriever versus Rottweiler     Labrador Retriever versus Pyredoodle     Labrador Retriever versus Basset Hound     Labrador Retriever versus Tibetan Mastiff     Labrador Retriever versus Irish Wolfhound     

    Conclusion: German Longhaired Pointer versus Labrador Retriever. 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Labrador Retriever better suits you and your family.