Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Better than the Shihpoo as a Pet? Answer…

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German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo.

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 Shihpoo.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shihpoo: Overview

A very important difference between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a large-sized dog while the Shihpoo is a tiny-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 Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Wirehaired Pointer to the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo

Factor German Wirehaired Pointer Shihpoo
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 8 to 18 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 13 to 17 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $990 $1590
Price Range $800 – $1200 $1200 – $2000
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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo

    Below is a list of where the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo are most different:

  • German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shihpoos adapt well to apartment living.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shihpoos do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shihpoos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Shihpoos have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo

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

  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shihpoo

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

    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, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shihpoo

    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 Shihpoos is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of Shihpoos is 15.0 years.

    Shihpoos live longer than German Wirehaired Pointers.

    Price of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Price of Shihpoo

    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 Shihpoo puppy is $1590. The price of the Shihpoo typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Shihpoo can be as low as $300 and as high as $4325. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shihpoo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shihpoo is more expensive than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Shihpoo
    Average Price $990 $1590
    Price Range $800 to $1200 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Wirehaired Pointer and Shihpoo. For different price points, the charts show how many German Wirehaired Pointer puppies or how many Shihpoo 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 Shihpoos?

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos?

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Wirehaired Pointers and many Shihpoos 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 Wirehaired Pointer named Whistler Nocats! that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Wirehaired Pointers like Whistler Nocats! on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Wirehaired Pointers, Shihpoos are also available for adoption. For example, Maui is a Male Shihpoo that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shihpoos like Maui that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Wirehaired Pointer and the Shihpoo can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Toby is an adorable Male Shihpoo on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    German Wirehaired Pointers and Shihpoos are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Wirehaired Pointers and Shihpoos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shihpoo

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Wirehaired Pointers shed more than Shihpoos?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Shihpoo

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

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Shihpoos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Shihpoos 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 Wirehaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Shihpoos?

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

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shihpoos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Wirehaired Pointer vs. Shihpoo

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

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Shihpoos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are German Wirehaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are German Wirehaired Pointers and Shihpoos?

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

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

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Shihpoo?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Japanese Chin (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Japanese Chin.
  • Shiranian (76 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Shiranian.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus Mudi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus American Staffordshire Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Peek A Poo     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Greyhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pomapoo     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Newfoundland     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Newfoundland     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Beagle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Basenji     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Field Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shih Tzu     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Afghan Hound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Afador     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Mastiff     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Goldador     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Alaskan Malamute     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Akita     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Chinook     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shiranian     German Wirehaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Beagle     

    Shihpoo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shihpoo versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shihpoo versus Pointer     Shihpoo versus Bedlington Terrier     Shihpoo versus Bulldog     Shihpoo versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Shihpoo versus Pyredoodle     Shihpoo versus Clumber Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Bluetick Coonhound     Shihpoo versus Carolina Dog     Shihpoo versus Great Pyrenees     Shihpoo versus Bolognese     Shihpoo versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Shihpoo versus Basset Hound     Shihpoo versus Catahoula Bulldog     Shihpoo versus Mountain Cur     Shihpoo versus Norfolk Terrier     Shihpoo versus Airedale Terrier     Shihpoo versus Pekingese     Shihpoo versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Shihpoo versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Shihpoo versus Great Dane     Shihpoo versus Finnish Lapphund     Shihpoo versus Pomeranian     Shihpoo versus Kai Ken     Shihpoo versus German Wirehaired Pointer     

    Conclusion: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo better suits you and your family.