A Detailed Comparison of the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Great Pyrenees Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer.

Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Great Pyrenees belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Portuguese 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.

Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Great Pyrenees Portuguese Pointer
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Weight 85 to 160 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $830 No Data
Price Range $500 – $1000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
  • 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Pointer is a better pet than the Great Pyrenees. So, you should get the Portuguese 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

  • Great Pyreneess are not easy to train. However, Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
  • Great Pyreneess 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.
  • Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    • The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer.

    Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Great Pyreneess are 25 to 32 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 Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess.

    Health Problems of Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Great Pyrenees than for the Portuguese Pointer.

    5 health tests are recommended for Great Pyrenees while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Pyreneess and in Portuguese Pointers.

    Great Pyrenees Health Problems

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

  • Auburn
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Optigen
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Pyreneess 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: Great Pyrenees versus Portuguese Pointer

    Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer

    Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Great Pyreneess 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.

    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 Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Portuguese Pointer

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

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

    Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess and Portuguese Pointers?

    Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees

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

  • Black and Tan Coonhound (73 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (72 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (75 percent match with Great Pyrenees). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Pyrenees versus German Pinscher     Great Pyrenees versus Lancashire Heeler     Great Pyrenees versus Toy Poodle     Great Pyrenees versus Bich Poo     Great Pyrenees versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Weimaraner     Great Pyrenees versus Hovawart     Great Pyrenees versus Keeshond     Great Pyrenees versus Australian Shepherd     Great Pyrenees versus English Cocker Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Berger Picard     Great Pyrenees versus Black Russian Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Great Pyrenees versus Keeshond     Great Pyrenees versus Australian Shepherd     Great Pyrenees versus Welsh Terrier     Great Pyrenees versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Great Pyrenees versus Goldendoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Carolina Dog     Great Pyrenees versus Havanese     Great Pyrenees versus Alaskan Malamute     Great Pyrenees versus Tibetan Spaniel     Great Pyrenees versus Saint Berdoodle     Great Pyrenees versus Fila Brasileiro     Great Pyrenees versus Canaan Dog     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer     Portuguese Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     Portuguese Pointer versus Standard Schnauzer     Portuguese Pointer versus Korean Jindo Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Greyhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Bolognese     Portuguese Pointer versus Bullmastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus Chi-Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Mastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Chinese Crested     Portuguese Pointer versus Shichon     Portuguese Pointer versus Whoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Affenhuahua     Portuguese Pointer versus Puggle     Portuguese Pointer versus Bullmastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus Bernedoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Pyredoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Shiloh Shepherd     Portuguese Pointer versus American Hairless Terrier     

    Conclusion: Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.