Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Mastiff Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
- Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
- Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer
- Size (Weight and Height) of Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer
- Lifespan of Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer
- Health Problems of Mastiff versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer
- Do Mastiffs shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
- Which one drools more, the Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Does the Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Do Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Mastiff vs. Portuguese Pointer
- Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Are Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- How Kid-friendly are Mastiffs and Portuguese Pointers?
- Is the Mastiff Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Mastiff Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer.
Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
A very important difference between the Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mastiff is a giant-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.
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.
Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer
| Factor | Mastiff | Portuguese Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 130 to 220 pounds | 35 to 59 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder | 20 to 22 inches |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 10 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1740 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2200 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mastiff 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 Mastiff is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Pointer is not better or worse than the Mastiff. So, you can get the Portuguese Pointer or the Mastiff!
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 Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer
The Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer.
Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 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 Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer
The lifespan of Mastiffs is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Mastiffs is 8.0 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 Mastiffs.
Health Problems of Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mastiff than for the Portuguese Pointer.
7 health tests are recommended for Mastiff while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Mastiffs and in Portuguese Pointers.
Mastiff Health Problems
Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Mastiff 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 Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Mastiff 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 Mastiffs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mastiffs 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer
Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Mastiffs shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
Mastiffs shed moderately.
Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer
Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer?
Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
Does the Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Mastiff vs. Portuguese Pointer
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer?
Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs and Portuguese Pointers?
Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Mastiff Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
Is the Mastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?
Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mastiff or the Portuguese Pointer?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiff
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mastiff 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 Mastiff:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Mastiff and how the Portuguese Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Mastiff and of the Portuguese Pointer to other breeds:
Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mastiff versus English Setter Mastiff versus Bich Poo Mastiff versus Irish Wolfhound Mastiff versus Afghan Hound Mastiff versus Pyredoodle Mastiff versus Leonberger Mastiff versus Clumber Spaniel Mastiff versus Australian Kelpie Mastiff versus Tibetan Mastiff Mastiff versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Mastiff versus Patterdale Terrier Mastiff versus Neapolitan Mastiff Mastiff versus Kooikerhondje Mastiff versus Afador Mastiff versus Leonberger Mastiff versus Bordoodle Mastiff versus Pyrenean Shepherd Mastiff versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Mastiff versus Black and Tan Coonhound Mastiff versus Miniature Pinscher Mastiff versus Ibizan Hound Mastiff versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Mastiff versus Dutch Shepherd Mastiff versus Lowchen Mastiff versus Clumber Spaniel
Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Pointer versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Portuguese Pointer versus Pointer Portuguese Pointer versus American Hairless Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus King Shepherd Portuguese Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel Portuguese Pointer versus Chinook Portuguese Pointer versus Bracco Italiano Portuguese Pointer versus Australian Shepherd Portuguese Pointer versus Dutch Shepherd Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus Basenji Portuguese Pointer versus Flat-Coated Retriever Portuguese Pointer versus Lhasapoo Portuguese Pointer versus Cockalier Portuguese Pointer versus Chi-Poo Portuguese Pointer versus Coton de Tulear Portuguese Pointer versus Lowchen Portuguese Pointer versus Maremma Sheepdog Portuguese Pointer versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Portuguese Pointer versus Komondor Portuguese Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Portuguese Pointer versus Norwich Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus American Hairless Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus Pyredoodle Portuguese Pointer versus Beaglier
Conclusion: Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.