Is the German Longhaired Pointer Better than the Pointer as a Pet? Answer…

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German Longhaired Pointer Versus Pointer: Introduction

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

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

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 Pointer.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer

German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are Sporting Dogs. This means both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer 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 Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Longhaired Pointer to the 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.

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

Factor German Longhaired Pointer Pointer
Life Span 11 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
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 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
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 45 to 75 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $800 – $1300
Average Price No Data $1080
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 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 the German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pointer is 75 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Longhaired Pointer is a better pet than the Pointer. 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 Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer

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

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

  • German Longhaired Pointers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Pointers are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer

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

  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer 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 Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer

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

    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, Pointers weigh 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Pointers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer

    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 Pointers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pointers is 13.5 years.

    Pointers live longer than German Longhaired Pointers.

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer
    German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Longhaired Pointer versus Pointer

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

    Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers shed more than Pointers?

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

    Pointers shed moderately.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    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.

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

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

    Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Longhaired Pointer vs. Pointer

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

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

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

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

    Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Longhaired Pointers and Pointers?

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

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

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Pointers are very easy to train.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Pointers are not the best dogs 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 Pointer vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Black Mouth Cur (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (81 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (75 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Field Spaniel (77 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Field Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli     German Longhaired Pointer versus Catahoula Bulldog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Vizsla     German Longhaired Pointer versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     German Longhaired Pointer versus Afador     German Longhaired Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     German Longhaired Pointer versus Finnish Lapphund     German Longhaired Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     German Longhaired Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Newfoundland     German Longhaired Pointer versus Standard Schnauzer     German Longhaired Pointer versus Kishu Ken     German Longhaired Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     German Longhaired Pointer versus Skye Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Shiranian     German Longhaired Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Border Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Field Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Saluki     German Longhaired Pointer versus Australian Cattle Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Black Mouth Cur     German Longhaired Pointer versus Scottish Deerhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     

    Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pointer versus Norwich Terrier     Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Pointer versus Leonberger     Pointer versus Pomeranian     Pointer versus Maltipoo     Pointer versus Pomchi     Pointer versus Collie     Pointer versus Irish Setter     Pointer versus Lowchen     Pointer versus Westiepoo     Pointer versus Siberian Husky     Pointer versus Bracco Italiano     Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Pointer versus Whoodle     Pointer versus Pomsky     Pointer versus Standard Poodle     Pointer versus Great Pyrenees     Pointer versus Cockapoo     Pointer versus Afghan Hound     Pointer versus Mountain Cur     Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pointer versus Affenpinscher     Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     

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