A Detailed Comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Patterdale Terrier: Introduction

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

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

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a large-sized dog while the Patterdale Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the German Wirehaired 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 Patterdale 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 Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Wirehaired Pointer to the Patterdale 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 Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier

Factor German Wirehaired Pointer Patterdale Terrier
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 12 to 15 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 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 4/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 11 to 13 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $990 $680
Price Range $800 – $1200 $550 – $950
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 80.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Wirehaired 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 Patterdale 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 Wirehaired Pointer is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Patterdale Terrier is 77 out of 125.

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

    The Similarities Between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier

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

  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale 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 Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier.

    German Wirehaired Pointers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Wirehaired Pointers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Patterdale Terriers weigh 11 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Patterdale Terriers are 12 to 15 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier

    The lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Patterdale Terriers is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Patterdale Terriers is 12.5 years.

    German Wirehaired Pointers live longer than Patterdale Terriers.

    Temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer Versus the Patterdale Terrier

    The Patterdale Terrier has a better temperament than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Patterdale Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Wirehaired Pointer is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Patterdale Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 18 German Wirehaired Pointers and 5 Patterdale Terriers.

    Price of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Price of Patterdale Terrier

    The average price of the German Wirehaired Pointer puppy is $990. The price of the German Wirehaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a German Wirehaired Pointer can be as low as $250 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 83 German Wirehaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Patterdale Terrier puppy is $680. The price of the Patterdale Terrier typically ranges from $550 – $950. However, the price of the Patterdale Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Patterdale Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The German Wirehaired Pointer is more expensive than the Patterdale Terrier.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Patterdale Terrier
    Average Price $990 $680
    Price Range $800 to $1200 $550 to $950

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Patterdale Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Patterdale Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Wirehaired Pointer puppy or the Patterdale 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Patterdale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Wirehaired Pointers shed more than Patterdale Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Patterdale Terrier

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

    Patterdale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Patterdale Terrier?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Patterdale Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Wirehaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Patterdale Terrier?

    German Wirehaired 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.

    Patterdale 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 Wirehaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Patterdale Terriers?

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

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Patterdale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Patterdale Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Wirehaired Pointer vs. Patterdale Terrier

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

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Patterdale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Patterdale Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Patterdale Terrier?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Patterdale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Wirehaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Patterdale Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Wirehaired Pointers and Patterdale Terriers?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Patterdale Terrier?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Patterdale Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Patterdale Terrier?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Patterdale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Patterdale Terrier?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

    Patterdale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer

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

  • Australian Kelpie (81 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Patterdale Terrier vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (83 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Patterdale Terrier vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Patterdale Terrier

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

  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Patterdale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Field Spaniel.
  • Portuguese Pointer (78 percent match with Patterdale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Portuguese Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Peek A Poo     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bluetick Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Japanese Chin     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus American Eskimo Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     German Wirehaired Pointer versus King Shepherd     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Manchester Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Spanish Mastiff     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Maltipoo     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Tibetan Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Cavachon     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bearded Collie     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bluetick Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Keeshond     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Beaglier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bearded Collie     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Gordon Setter     

    Patterdale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Patterdale Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Patterdale Terrier versus Cavapoo     Patterdale Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Patterdale Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Patterdale Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Akbash     Patterdale Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Patterdale Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Patterdale Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Patterdale Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Patterdale Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Patterdale Terrier versus Leonberger     Patterdale Terrier versus Great Dane     Patterdale Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Patterdale Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Patterdale Terrier versus Pug     Patterdale Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Patterdale Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Akita     Patterdale Terrier versus Kai Ken     Patterdale Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Patterdale Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Patterdale Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     

    Conclusion: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale 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 Wirehaired Pointer and the Patterdale Terrier better suits you and your family.