Is the Manchester Terrier Better than the Portuguese Pointer as a Pet? Answer…

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Manchester Terrier Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

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

Manchester Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Manchester Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Manchester 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.

Manchester Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Manchester 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 Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Manchester Terrier Portuguese Pointer
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Weight 12 to 22 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Life Span 14 to 16 years 12 to 14 years
Height 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1030 No Data
Price Range $725 – $1300 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Juvenile Dialated Cardiomyopathy
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Xanthinuria type 2A
  • 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 Manchester 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 Manchester Terrier is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    Below is a list of where the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:

  • Manchester Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Manchester Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

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

    Manchester Terriers weigh 12 to 22 pounds when fully grown. Manchester Terriers are 15 to 16 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 Manchester Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Manchester Terriers is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Manchester Terriers is 15.0 years.

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

    Manchester Terriers live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

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

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Manchester Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

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

    Manchester Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Juvenile Dialated Cardiomyopathy
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Xanthinuria type 2A
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Manchester 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: Manchester Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer

    Manchester Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Manchester Terriers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Manchester Terriers shed moderately.

    Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Manchester Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer

    Manchester Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

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

    Manchester Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Manchester 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 Manchester Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Manchester Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Manchester Terrier vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Manchester 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 Manchester Terrier or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Manchester Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Manchester Terriers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Manchester 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 Manchester Terriers and Portuguese Pointers?

    Manchester Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Manchester Terrier Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Manchester Terriers are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Manchester Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Manchester Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Manchester Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Manchester Terrier

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (79 percent match with Manchester Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (79 percent match with Manchester Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Silky Terrier (79 percent match with Manchester Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Silky Terrier.
  • 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 Manchester Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Manchester Terrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Manchester Terrier vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Manchester Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Manchester Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Manchester Terrier versus American Foxhound     Manchester Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Manchester Terrier versus Morkie     Manchester Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Manchester Terrier versus Border Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Manchester Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Manchester Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Manchester Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Manchester Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Manchester Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Manchester Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Manchester Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Manchester Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Papillon     Manchester Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Manchester Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Manchester Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Barbet     Manchester Terrier versus Mudi     Manchester Terrier versus Goldador     Manchester Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Pharaoh Hound     Portuguese Pointer versus Shih Tzu     Portuguese Pointer versus American Eskimo Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Briard     Portuguese Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Portuguese Pointer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Basenji     Portuguese Pointer versus Bolognese     Portuguese Pointer versus Maltese     Portuguese Pointer versus French Bulldog     Portuguese Pointer versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Mudi     Portuguese Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound     Portuguese Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus Beagle     Portuguese Pointer versus Sloughi     Portuguese Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Portuguese Pointer versus Saint Bernard     Portuguese Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Siberian Husky     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Malinois     Portuguese Pointer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavachon     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     

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