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

Quick Links: Table of Contents

German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

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

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

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart: Overview

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

Furthermore, the German Shorthaired 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 Hovawart 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.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the Hovawart 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 Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart

Factor German Shorthaired Pointer Hovawart
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 23 to 29 inches
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 70 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1140 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1300 No Data
Temperament Score 78.1 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shorthaired 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 Hovawart. 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 Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train. However, Hovawarts are not easy to train.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart

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

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers weigh 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Shorthaired Pointers are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

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

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    German Shorthaired Pointers live longer than Hovawarts.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

    Temperament of the German Shorthaired Pointer Versus the Hovawart

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 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 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 24 Hovawarts.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Hovawart

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Hovawart

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Hovawart?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    German Shorthaired 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.

    Hovawarts 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 Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

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

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Hovawarts?

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

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Shorthaired Pointer

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

  • Field Spaniel (83 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Field Spaniel.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (80 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Pointer (81 percent match with German Shorthaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Pointer.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

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

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Curly-Coated Retriever     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Borzoi     German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Setter     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Neapolitan Mastiff     German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Staffordshire Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Dogo Argentino     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Ibizan Hound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Peek A Poo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shihpoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boerboel     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Field Spaniel     Hovawart versus Affenpinscher     Hovawart versus German Pinscher     Hovawart versus Miniature Schnauzer     Hovawart versus Samoyed     Hovawart versus Black Mouth Cur     Hovawart versus Labrador Retriever     Hovawart versus Norwegian Buhund     Hovawart versus Pomchi     Hovawart versus Italian Greyhound     Hovawart versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Hovawart versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Hovawart versus Papillon     Hovawart versus Schnoodle     Hovawart versus Plott     Hovawart versus Berger Picard     Hovawart versus Vizsla     Hovawart versus Skye Terrier     Hovawart versus Bolognese     Hovawart versus Afghan Hound     Hovawart versus Pug     Hovawart versus Pomeranian     Hovawart versus German Longhaired Pointer     Hovawart versus Finnish Spitz     Hovawart versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     

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