Is the King Shepherd Better than the Portuguese Pointer as a Pet? Answer…

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King Shepherd Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd or the Portuguese Pointer.

King Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

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.

King Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor King Shepherd Portuguese Pointer
Life Span 10 to 11 years 12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Height 25 to 31 inches 20 to 22 inches
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 150 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1560 No Data
Price Range $700 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer

    Below is a list of where the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

  • King Shepherds adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • King Shepherds 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.
  • King Shepherds get along well with other dogs. However, Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of King Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer.

    King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches 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 King Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 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 King Shepherds.

    Tolerates Being Alone: King Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do King Shepherds shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherd or the Portuguese Pointer

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the King Shepherd or the Portuguese Pointer?

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the King Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    King Shepherds 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 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 King Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: King Shepherd vs. Portuguese Pointer

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the King Shepherd or the Portuguese Pointer?

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are King Shepherds good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds and Portuguese Pointers?

    King Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the King Shepherd Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the King Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the King Shepherd or the Portuguese Pointer?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherd

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

  • Chinook (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Chinook.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • 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 King Shepherd vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    King Shepherd versus Great Pyrenees     King Shepherd versus French Bulldog     King Shepherd versus Swedish Vallhund     King Shepherd versus German Shepherd Dog     King Shepherd versus Shiranian     King Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo     King Shepherd versus Valley Bulldog     King Shepherd versus Great Dane     King Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     King Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog     King Shepherd versus Siberian Husky     King Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer     King Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd     King Shepherd versus Dutch Shepherd     King Shepherd versus Pomchi     King Shepherd versus Hovawart     King Shepherd versus Kai Ken     King Shepherd versus Norwegian Buhund     King Shepherd versus Shiba Inu     King Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier     King Shepherd versus Schnoodle     King Shepherd versus Bloodhound     King Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     King Shepherd versus Yorkipoo     King Shepherd versus Samoyed     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Akita Chow     Portuguese Pointer versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Shiloh Shepherd     Portuguese Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     Portuguese Pointer versus Affenhuahua     Portuguese Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Portuguese Pointer versus Azawakh     Portuguese Pointer versus Norfolk Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Stabyhoun     Portuguese Pointer versus Cane Corso     Portuguese Pointer versus Dachshund     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Malinois     Portuguese Pointer versus Border Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Mal Shi     Portuguese Pointer versus Field Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Harrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Canaan Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Gordon Setter     Portuguese Pointer versus French Bulldog     Portuguese Pointer versus Biewer Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Lakeland Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund     Portuguese Pointer versus Beaglier     

    Conclusion: King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.