Differences and Similarities between the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Golden Retriever Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

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

Golden Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

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

Factor Golden Retriever Portuguese Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 75 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1870 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2200 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Golden Retrievers do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Portuguese Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Golden Retrievers get along well with other dogs. However, Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    • The Similarities Between the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Golden Retriever and the Portuguese 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, Portuguese Pointers weigh 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Pointers are 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Golden Retriever versus Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is 13.0 years.

    Portuguese Pointers live longer than Golden Retrievers.

    Health Problems of Golden Retriever versus Health Problems of Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Golden Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Golden Retriever while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

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

    Portuguese Pointer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Golden Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer

    Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Golden Retriever or the Portuguese Pointer

    Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

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

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

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointers?

    Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Retriever vs. Portuguese 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.

    Portuguese Pointers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

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

    Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Golden Retrievers and Portuguese Pointers?

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

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

    Is the Golden Retriever Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

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

    Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Golden Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Irish Setter (72 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Irish Setter.
  • Labrador Retriever (75 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Labrador Retriever.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • American Bulldog (79 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs Patterdale Terrier.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Golden Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Retriever versus Sloughi     Golden Retriever versus Azawakh     Golden Retriever versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Golden Retriever versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Golden Retriever versus American Water Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Bedlington Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Chorkie     Golden Retriever versus Border Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Barbet     Golden Retriever versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Golden Retriever versus Miniature Pinscher     Golden Retriever versus Lowchen     Golden Retriever versus Papipoo     Golden Retriever versus Goldendoodle     Golden Retriever versus Briard     Golden Retriever versus Havanese     Golden Retriever versus Goldendoodle     Golden Retriever versus Keeshond     Golden Retriever versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Golden Retriever versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Golden Retriever versus Shiba Inu     Golden Retriever versus Spanish Mastiff     Golden Retriever versus French Bulldog     Golden Retriever versus King Shepherd     Golden Retriever versus Mastiff     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Bouvier des Flandres     Portuguese Pointer versus Lhasa Apso     Portuguese Pointer versus Vizsla     Portuguese Pointer versus Great Dane     Portuguese Pointer versus Bichon Frise     Portuguese Pointer versus Labradoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Mudi     Portuguese Pointer versus Berger Picard     Portuguese Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Portuguese Pointer versus Morkie     Portuguese Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Lowchen     Portuguese Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Frenchton     Portuguese Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Silky Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Great Pyrenees     Portuguese Pointer versus Bolognese     Portuguese Pointer versus Pomchi     Portuguese Pointer versus Weimaraner     Portuguese Pointer versus Bordoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Greyhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Standard Schnauzer     

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