Differences and Similarities between the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer.

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Mudi Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

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

Mudi versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Mudi belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Mudi versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Mudi Portuguese Pointer
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Height 14 to 20 inches 20 to 22 inches
Weight 18 to 29 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
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
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • 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 Mudi 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 Mudi is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 Mudi 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 Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Mudis 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.
  • Mudis are good for new dog owners. However, Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Mudi and the Portuguese Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Portuguese Pointer

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

    Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 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 Mudi versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis 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.

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

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

    10 health tests are recommended for Mudi while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.

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

    Mudi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mudis 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: Mudi versus Portuguese Pointer

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mudis shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Mudis shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Portuguese Pointer

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mudis 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 Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Mudis 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 Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Mudis 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 Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mudis 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 Mudi or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Mudis 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 Mudis and Portuguese Pointers?

    Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Mudi Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Mudis 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 Mudi

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

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs German Pinscher.
  • 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 Mudi vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Plott     Mudi versus Pomeranian     Mudi versus Bull Terrier     Mudi versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Mudi versus Pomchi     Mudi versus Basenji     Mudi versus Peek A Poo     Mudi versus Akita Chow     Mudi versus Bordoodle     Mudi versus Mastiff     Mudi versus Brittany     Mudi versus Belgian Malinois     Mudi versus Kooikerhondje     Mudi versus Havanese     Mudi versus Samoyed     Mudi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Mudi versus Norwegian Lundehund     Mudi versus West Highland White Terrier     Mudi versus Samoyed     Mudi versus Bracco Italiano     Mudi versus Miniature Schnauzer     Mudi versus Fila Brasileiro     Mudi versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Mudi versus Schnoodle     Mudi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund     Portuguese Pointer versus Azawakh     Portuguese Pointer versus American Eskimo Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Great Pyrenees     Portuguese Pointer versus Beaglier     Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Bolognese     Portuguese Pointer versus Bulldog     Portuguese Pointer versus Chow Chow     Portuguese Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Bearded Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Pyredoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund     Portuguese Pointer versus Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Portuguese Pointer versus Samoyed     Portuguese Pointer versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Norwich Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Black Mouth Cur     Portuguese Pointer versus Plott     

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