A Detailed Comparison of the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Mal Shi Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi or the Portuguese Pointer.

Mal Shi versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mal Shi is a tiny-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Mal Shi 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.

Mal Shi versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Mal Shi Portuguese Pointer
Does NOT Shed 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 6 to 12 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Height From 10 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1730 No Data
Price Range $1300 – $2000 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 Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

  • Mal Shis 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.
  • Mal Shis adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Mal Shis are good for new dog owners. However, Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mal Shi versus Portuguese Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer.

    Mal Shis weigh 6 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Mal Shis are From 10 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 Mal Shi versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Mal Shis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mal Shis is 13.0 years.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Mal Shi versus Portuguese Pointer

    Mal Shis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mal Shis shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Mal Shis 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 Mal Shi or the Portuguese Pointer

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mal Shi or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mal Shi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mal Shis 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 Mal Shis Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Mal Shis 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 Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mal Shi vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Mal Shis 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 Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mal Shi or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Mal Shis good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Mal Shis 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 Mal Shis and Portuguese Pointers?

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Mal Shi Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Mal Shi Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mal Shi or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mal Shi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi:

  • Maltese (79 percent match with Mal Shi). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Maltese.
  • Peek A Poo (80 percent match with Mal Shi). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Peek A Poo.
  • 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 Mal Shi vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mal Shi versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Mal Shi versus Bearded Collie     Mal Shi versus Norfolk Terrier     Mal Shi versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Mal Shi versus Basenji     Mal Shi versus Pharaoh Hound     Mal Shi versus Pekingese     Mal Shi versus Maltese     Mal Shi versus Chow Chow     Mal Shi versus Pomeranian     Mal Shi versus Great Dane     Mal Shi versus Welsh Terrier     Mal Shi versus Basset Hound     Mal Shi versus Pointer     Mal Shi versus English Setter     Mal Shi versus Stabyhoun     Mal Shi versus Boykin Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Beagle     Mal Shi versus American Hairless Terrier     Mal Shi versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Mal Shi versus Toy Poodle     Mal Shi versus English Toy Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Karelian Bear Dog     Mal Shi versus Samoyed     Mal Shi versus Pomchi     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Azawakh     Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     Portuguese Pointer versus Skye Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Brussels Griffon     Portuguese Pointer versus Komondor     Portuguese Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Pug     Portuguese Pointer versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Shihpoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Harrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Jack Russell Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Beaglier     Portuguese Pointer versus Saint Bernard     Portuguese Pointer versus Basenji     Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Golden Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Sloughi     Portuguese Pointer versus Shichon     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Malinois     Portuguese Pointer versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus Saint Bernard     Portuguese Pointer versus Skye Terrier     

    Conclusion: Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.