Breed Comparison: German Longhaired Pointer Versus Portuguese Pointer

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German Longhaired Pointer Versus Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer.

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

German Longhaired Pointer versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

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

The table below compares the German Longhaired Pointer to the Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer

Factor German Longhaired Pointer Portuguese Pointer
Life Span 11 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 20 to 22 inches
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Weight 60 to 71 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    The Similarities Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Portuguese Pointer

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Portuguese 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, Portuguese Pointers weigh 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Pointers are 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Longhaired Pointer versus Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is 13.0 years.

    Portuguese Pointers live longer than German Longhaired Pointers.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Longhaired Pointer versus Portuguese Pointer

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

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

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

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

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

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointers?

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

    Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Longhaired Pointer vs. Portuguese Pointer

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

    Portuguese Pointers 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 Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Portuguese Pointers 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 Portuguese Pointer?

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Longhaired Pointers and Portuguese Pointers?

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

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

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Black Mouth Cur (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • American Bulldog (79 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     German Longhaired Pointer versus Spanish Mastiff     German Longhaired Pointer versus Boykin Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basenji     German Longhaired Pointer versus Morkie     German Longhaired Pointer versus Affenpinscher     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     German Longhaired Pointer versus Brittany     German Longhaired Pointer versus Miniature Poodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Fila Brasileiro     German Longhaired Pointer versus Icelandic Sheepdog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Maltipoo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Neapolitan Mastiff     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bernedoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Pomsky     German Longhaired Pointer versus Korean Jindo Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Dalmatian     German Longhaired Pointer versus Morkie     German Longhaired Pointer versus Boston Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Lhasa Apso     German Longhaired Pointer versus Affenpinscher     German Longhaired Pointer versus American Foxhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Portuguese Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Labradoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Carolina Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus German Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     Portuguese Pointer versus Border Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Kai Ken     Portuguese Pointer versus Basset Hound     Portuguese Pointer versus Bluetick Coonhound     Portuguese Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Bernedoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Border Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Chi-Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Kishu Ken     Portuguese Pointer versus Cane Corso     Portuguese Pointer versus Tibetan Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Bearded Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound     Portuguese Pointer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus Pomeranian     

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