Is the Golden Retriever Better than the Pointer as a Pet? Answer…

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Golden Retriever Versus Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Golden Retriever and the Pointer 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 Golden Retriever and for the Pointer. 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 Golden Retriever and the Pointer.

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

Golden Retriever versus Pointer

Golden Retriever versus Pointer: Overview

Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are similar in size. The Golden Retriever and the Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer 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.

Golden Retriever versus Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Golden Retriever to the Pointer 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 Golden Retriever and the Pointer

Factor Golden Retriever Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 75 pounds 45 to 75 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1870 $1080
Price Range $1500 – $2200 $800 – $1300
Temperament Score 85.6 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 3 115
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 4 43

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Golden Retriever 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 Pointer. 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 Golden Retriever is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pointer is 75 out of 125.

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

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

    Golden Retriever versus Pointer

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Golden Retriever and the Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are most different:

  • Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Pointers are very easy to groom.
  • Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Golden Retrievers do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Pointers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Golden Retriever and the Pointer

    The Golden Retriever and the Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Pointer are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Retriever versus Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Golden Retriever and the Pointer.

    Golden Retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Golden Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pointers weigh 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Pointers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Golden Retriever versus Pointer

    The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Golden Retrievers is 11.0 years.

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

    Pointers live longer than Golden Retrievers.

    Golden Retriever versus Pointer

    Temperament of the Pointer Versus the Golden Retriever

    The Pointer has a better temperament than the Golden Retriever.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pointer is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Golden Retriever is 85.6 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 85.6 percent, the Golden Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Pointer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Golden Retriever and the Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 813 Golden Retrievers and 20 Pointers.

    Price of Golden Retriever versus Price of Pointer

    The average price of the Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. However, the price of a Golden Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2668 Golden Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pointer puppy is $1080. The price of the Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of the Pointer can be as low as $300 and as high as $1700. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 16 Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Golden Retriever is more expensive than the Pointer.

    Golden Retriever Pointer
    Average Price $1870 $1080
    Price Range $1500 to $2200 $800 to $1300

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pointers?

    A breakdown of the prices of Pointers?

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

    Golden Retriever versus Pointer

    Adopting the Golden Retriever versus Adopting the Pointer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Golden Retrievers and many Pointers 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 Golden Retriever named D837 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Golden Retrievers like D837 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Golden Retrievers, Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Judd is a Male Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pointers like Judd that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Golden Retriever and the Pointer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Rocky is the name of another Golden Retriever (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Golden Retrievers and Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Golden Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Pointer

    Golden Retriever Pointer
    Intelligence Rank 4 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Golden Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 4 out of 130 dog breeds. The Golden Retriever belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Golden Retrievers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pointer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pointers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Golden Retriever is more intelligent than the Pointer.

    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 Golden Retriever versus Popularity of Pointer

    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 Golden Retriever and the Pointer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Golden Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Pointer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Golden Retriever is 3 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pointer is 115 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Golden Retriever

    Popularity of Golden Retriever

    Popularity of Pointer

    Popularity of Pointer

    Year Golden Retriever Popularity Rank Pointer Popularity Rank
    2013 3 114
    2014 3 119
    2015 3 114
    2016 3 117
    2017 3 113
    2018 3 114
    2019 3 115
    2020 4 116

    Health Problems of Golden Retriever versus Health Problems of Pointer

    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 Golden Retriever and the Pointer 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 Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Golden Retriever.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pointer than for the Golden Retriever.

    4 health tests are recommended for Golden Retriever while 5 tests are recommended for the Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Golden Retrievers and in Pointers.

    Golden Retriever Health Problems

    Golden Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retrievers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Golden Retrievers here.

    Pointer Health Problems

    Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing 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 Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your 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 Pointers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pointers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Golden Retrievers and Pointers

    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 Golden Retriever Breed is Ichthyosis problems.

    This is because the Golden Retriever ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Ichthyosis problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1770 Golden Retrievers, 33 of them had Ichthyosis problems.

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

  • Ichthyosis problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 11 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 17 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 33 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 36 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 39 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 40 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 45 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 56 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 56 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 58 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 112 out of 145 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 Pointer Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Pointer ranks 17 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Pointers, 1 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 17 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 44 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 66 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 137 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Golden Retriever and in Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Golden Retriever and the Pointer:

    Disease Golden Retriever Rank Pointer Rank
    Ichthyosis problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 11 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 17 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 33 out of 115 dog breeds 44 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 36 out of 144 dog breeds 66 out of 144 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 39 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 40 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 45 out of 198 dog breeds 137 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 56 out of 159 dog breeds 17 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 56 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 58 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 112 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

    *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: Golden Retriever versus Pointer

    Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Pointers?

    Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Pointers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Golden Retriever or the Pointer

    Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Retriever or the Pointer?

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

    Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Golden Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?

    Golden Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    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.

    Do Golden Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?

    Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Retriever vs. Pointer

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

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

    Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Golden Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Golden Retriever or the Pointer?

    Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs? What about Pointers?

    Golden Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Golden Retrievers and Pointers?

    Golden Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Golden Retriever Easier to Train than the Pointer?

    Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Golden Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Pointer?

    Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Golden Retriever or the Pointer?

    Golden Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Golden Retriever

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

  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Irish Setter (72 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Irish Setter.
  • Labrador Retriever (75 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (81 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (75 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Field Spaniel (77 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs Field Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Golden Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Retriever versus Kooikerhondje     Golden Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Golden Retriever versus Beagle     Golden Retriever versus Pomchi     Golden Retriever versus Lhasapoo     Golden Retriever versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Golden Retriever versus Chow Chow     Golden Retriever versus Maltipoo     Golden Retriever versus Australian Kelpie     Golden Retriever versus Saint Berdoodle     Golden Retriever versus Chinese Crested     Golden Retriever versus Ibizan Hound     Golden Retriever versus Giant Schnauzer     Golden Retriever versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Golden Retriever versus Whoodle     Golden Retriever versus Leonberger     Golden Retriever versus Norfolk Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Beagle     Golden Retriever versus Pekingese     Golden Retriever versus Tibetan Mastiff     Golden Retriever versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Golden Retriever versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Golden Retriever versus Briard     Golden Retriever versus Whoodle     Golden Retriever versus Norfolk Terrier     

    Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pointer versus Australian Cattle Dog     Pointer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Pointer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Pointer versus Mal Shi     Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Pointer versus Cockapoo     Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     Pointer versus Labradoodle     Pointer versus Pomapoo     Pointer versus Bearded Collie     Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     Pointer versus English Setter     Pointer versus Bulldog     Pointer versus Bulldog     Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier     Pointer versus Borzoi     Pointer versus Puggle     Pointer versus Affenpinscher     Pointer versus German Shepherd Dog     Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund     Pointer versus Standard Poodle     Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     Pointer versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     

    Conclusion: Golden Retriever versus Pointer. 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 Golden Retriever and the Pointer better suits you and your family.