Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Hovawart Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Hovawart
- Tolerates Being Alone: Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Hovawarts shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the Hovawart Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Hovawarts Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Hovawart vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Hovawarts good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Hovawarts and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Hovawart Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Hovawart Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Hovawart and for the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog.
Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Hovawart is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog 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.
Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Hovawart to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | Hovawart | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 23 to 29 inches | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 110 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2500 – $3300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2860 |
| Temperament Score | 91.7 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Hovawart 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 Water Dog. 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 Hovawart is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Hovawart. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!
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 Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog
The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Hovawart
The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 24 Hovawarts and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
Tolerates Being Alone: Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog
Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Hovawarts shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Hovawarts shed moderately.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog
Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Hovawarts are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Hovawart Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Hovawarts 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.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Hovawarts Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Hovawart vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Hovawarts good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Hovawarts and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Hovawart Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Hovawarts are not easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the Hovawart Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Hovawart or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Hovawart and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Hovawart and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds
Hovawart versus Doberman Pinscher Hovawart versus Manchester Terrier Hovawart versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Hovawart versus Irish Setter Hovawart versus Japanese Chin Hovawart versus Harrier Hovawart versus Komondor Hovawart versus Havanese Hovawart versus Shichon Hovawart versus Braque du Bourbonnais Hovawart versus Basenji Hovawart versus Tibetan Terrier Hovawart versus Bloodhound Hovawart versus Spanish Mastiff Hovawart versus Goldador Hovawart versus American Pit Bull Terrier Hovawart versus Scottish Terrier Hovawart versus Keeshond Hovawart versus Neapolitan Mastiff Hovawart versus Puli Hovawart versus Irish Terrier Hovawart versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Hovawart versus Irish Water Spaniel Hovawart versus Karelian Bear Dog Hovawart versus Treeing Walker Coonhound
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Cairn Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Bracco Italiano Portuguese Water Dog versus Barbet Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Malinois Portuguese Water Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Labrador Retriever Portuguese Water Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Maltese Portuguese Water Dog versus Aussiedoodle Portuguese Water Dog versus Puggle Portuguese Water Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Swedish Vallhund Portuguese Water Dog versus Cavachon Portuguese Water Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Irish Setter Portuguese Water Dog versus Xoloitzcuintli Portuguese Water Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus English Toy Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux Portuguese Water Dog versus Harrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Norwegian Buhund Portuguese Water Dog versus Siberian Husky Portuguese Water Dog versus Barbet Portuguese Water Dog versus Brittany Portuguese Water Dog versus American Eskimo Dog
Conclusion: Hovawart versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Hovawart and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.