Differences and Similarities between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier.

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Norfolk Terrier: Introduction

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

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

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the Norfolk Terrier is a tiny-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 Norfolk Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the Norfolk 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 Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier

Factor German Shorthaired Pointer Norfolk Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 70 pounds 11 to 12 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1140 $2500
Price Range $800 – $1300 $2500 – $2500
Temperament Score 78.1 percent 92.9 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
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 10 130
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 17 56

    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 Norfolk 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 Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norfolk Terrier is 94 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Norfolk Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Norfolk Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Norfolk Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier

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

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier

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

    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, Norfolk Terriers weigh 11 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norfolk Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier

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

    Temperament of the Norfolk Terrier Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer

    The Norfolk Terrier has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Norfolk Terrier is 92.9 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 92.9 percent, the Norfolk Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 14 Norfolk Terriers.

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Norfolk Terrier

    The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Norfolk Terrier puppy is $2500. The price of the Norfolk Terrier typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Norfolk Terrier can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Norfolk Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Norfolk Terrier is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Norfolk Terrier
    Average Price $1140 $2500
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $2500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shorthaired Pointer and Norfolk Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies or how many Norfolk Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Norfolk Terriers?

    A breakdown of the prices of Norfolk Terriers?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or the Norfolk Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Norfolk Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers and many Norfolk Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male German Shorthaired Pointer named Audie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers like Audie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Norfolk Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Little Richard is a Male Norfolk Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Norfolk Terriers like Little Richard that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Mumford is the name of another German Shorthaired Pointer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Houston is an adorable Male Norfolk Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    German Shorthaired Pointers and Norfolk Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers and Norfolk Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus the Intelligence of the Norfolk Terrier

    German Shorthaired Pointer Norfolk Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 17 out of 130 dog breeds 56 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the German Shorthaired Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 17 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that German Shorthaired Pointers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Norfolk Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 56 out of 130 dog breeds. The Norfolk Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Norfolk Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer is more intelligent than the Norfolk Terrier.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Norfolk Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norfolk Terrier is 130 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Year German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank Norfolk Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 13 129
    2014 12 131
    2015 11 131
    2016 11 134
    2017 10 128
    2018 9 126
    2019 9 131
    2020 9 130

    Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Health Problems of Norfolk Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norfolk Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer than for the Norfolk Terrier.

    7 health tests are recommended for German Shorthaired Pointer while 5 tests are recommended for the Norfolk Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and in Norfolk Terriers.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems

    German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shorthaired Pointer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shorthaired Pointer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen German Shorthaired Pointers for:

  • 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
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers here.

    Norfolk Terrier Health Problems

    Norfolk Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norfolk Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Norfolk Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norfolk Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norfolk Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norfolk Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and Norfolk Terriers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the German Shorthaired Pointer Breed is Cone Degeneration problems.

    This is because the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Cone Degeneration problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1475 German Shorthaired Pointers, 1 of them had Cone Degeneration problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shorthaired Pointers, and how common these diseases are in German Shorthaired Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cone Degeneration problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 12 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 55 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 68 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 69 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 118 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 121 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 174 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Norfolk Terrier Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Norfolk Terrier ranks 1 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 592 Norfolk Terriers, 30 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Norfolk Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Norfolk Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 20 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 29 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 37 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in German Shorthaired Pointer and in Norfolk Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norfolk Terrier:

    Disease German Shorthaired Pointer Rank Norfolk Terrier Rank
    Cone Degeneration problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 12 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 42 out of 71 dog breeds 2 out of 71 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 55 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 68 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 69 out of 159 dog breeds 1 out of 159 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 118 out of 182 dog breeds 29 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 121 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 174 out of 198 dog breeds 20 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 37 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Norfolk Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norfolk Terrier

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

    Norfolk Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Norfolk Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Norfolk Terrier

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

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Norfolk Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Norfolk Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Norfolk Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Norfolk Terrier?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Norfolk Terrier?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norfolk Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Boston Terrier (77 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Boston Terrier.
  • Cockapoo (75 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Cockapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cane Corso     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cockapoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Goldador     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cesky Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cane Corso     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Gordon Setter     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Belgian Sheepdog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Whippet     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shichon     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bullmastiff     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shichon     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Australian Cattle Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Whippet     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Harrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bull Terrier     

    Norfolk Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norfolk Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Norfolk Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Norfolk Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Norfolk Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Basset Hound     Norfolk Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Norfolk Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Norfolk Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Norfolk Terrier versus Afador     Norfolk Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Norfolk Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Norfolk Terrier versus Kai Ken     Norfolk Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus King Shepherd     Norfolk Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Bolognese     Norfolk Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Norfolk Terrier versus Chinook     Norfolk Terrier versus Collie     Norfolk Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Norfolk Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Norfolk Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     

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