Differences and Similarities between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Silky Terrier.

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German Longhaired Pointer Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Silky Terrier.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier

German Longhaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the German Longhaired Pointer 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 Silky Terrier 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.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Longhaired Pointer to the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier

Factor German Longhaired Pointer Silky Terrier
Life Span 11 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
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 3/5
Weight 60 to 71 pounds 8 to 10 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1425 – $2075
Average Price No Data $1890
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Silky Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

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

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

  • German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Silky Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Silky Terrier

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

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

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

    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, Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Longhaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers live longer than German Longhaired Pointers.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Longhaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers shed more than Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Longhaired Pointer vs. Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

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

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

    Silky Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are German Longhaired Pointers and Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Australian Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Cocker Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     German Longhaired Pointer versus Icelandic Sheepdog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Havanese     German Longhaired Pointer versus Labradoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus English Setter     German Longhaired Pointer versus Coton de Tulear     German Longhaired Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Papipoo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Biewer Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Maltipoo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Afghan Hound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Lakeland Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bloodhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bernese Mountain Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Lhasapoo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Australian Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bordoodle     

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Silky Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Komondor     Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Silky Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Silky Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Silky Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Silky Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Silky Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Silky Terrier versus Boxer     Silky Terrier versus Mastiff     Silky Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Silky Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Silky Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Silky Terrier versus Akita     Silky Terrier versus Sloughi     Silky Terrier versus Border Collie     Silky Terrier versus Papillon     Silky Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Norwich Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Silky Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     

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