Differences and Similarities between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Kerry Blue Terrier Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer.

Kerry Blue Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are similar in size. The Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Kerry Blue Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Kerry Blue Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Kerry Blue Terrier Portuguese Pointer
Does NOT Shed 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Weight 33 to 40 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1980 No Data
Price Range $2000 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • 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 Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer

    The Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kerry Blue Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer.

    Kerry Blue Terriers weigh 33 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Kerry Blue Terriers are 17 to 19 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 Kerry Blue Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is 13.0 years.

    Kerry Blue Terriers live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

    Health Problems of Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Kerry Blue Terrier than for the Portuguese Pointer.

    6 health tests are recommended for Kerry Blue Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kerry Blue Terriers and in Portuguese Pointers.

    Kerry Blue Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kerry Blue Terriers 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: Kerry Blue Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    Kerry Blue Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kerry Blue Terriers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Kerry Blue Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good 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 Kerry Blue Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer

    Kerry Blue Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kerry Blue Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Kerry Blue Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Kerry Blue Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kerry Blue Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kerry Blue Terrier vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Kerry Blue Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Kerry Blue Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Kerry Blue Terriers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terriers and Portuguese Pointers?

    Kerry Blue Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Kerry Blue Terrier Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Kerry Blue Terriers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Kerry Blue Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Kerry Blue Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kerry Blue Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier:

  • Irish Water Spaniel (78 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Irish Water Spaniel.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • 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 Kerry Blue Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Kerry Blue Terrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Kerry Blue Terrier vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Kerry Blue Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kerry Blue Terrier versus Schipperke     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Newfoundland     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Mal Shi     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Border Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Vizsla     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Basenji     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Basenji     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Mastiff     Kerry Blue Terrier versus French Bulldog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Mal Shi     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Dalmatian     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Maltipoo     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Greyhound     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Vizsla     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Irish Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Sheepadoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Australian Kelpie     Portuguese Pointer versus Cane Corso     Portuguese Pointer versus Bull Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli     Portuguese Pointer versus Korean Jindo Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Chow Chow     Portuguese Pointer versus Dalmatian     Portuguese Pointer versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Samoyed     Portuguese Pointer versus Beaglier     Portuguese Pointer versus Lhasapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Fila Brasileiro     Portuguese Pointer versus Affenhuahua     Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu     Portuguese Pointer versus Tibetan Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Schnoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Papillon     Portuguese Pointer versus Basenji     Portuguese Pointer versus Field Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Kerry Blue Terrier 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.