Which is Better between the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer? A Very Detailed Review.

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Pekingese Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction

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

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

Pekingese versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pekingese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Pekingese versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer

Factor Pekingese Portuguese Pointer
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 22 inches
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 35 to 59 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1288 – $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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.

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

    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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
  • Pekingeses 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.
  • Pekingeses are good for new dog owners. However, Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Pekingeses 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.
  • Pekingeses adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer

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

  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Portuguese Pointer

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

    Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 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 Pekingese versus Portuguese Pointer

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

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

    Pekingeses live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Portuguese Pointer

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Portuguese Pointers?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Portuguese Pointer

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

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

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

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?

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

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Portuguese Pointer

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Portuguese Pointer?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses and Portuguese Pointers?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

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

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Pomsky.
  • 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 Pekingese vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Pomsky     Pekingese versus Toy Poodle     Pekingese versus Shih Tzu     Pekingese versus Cockapoo     Pekingese versus Belgian Tervuren     Pekingese versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pekingese versus Maltese     Pekingese versus Saint Bernard     Pekingese versus Cockalier     Pekingese versus English Toy Spaniel     Pekingese versus Bull Terrier     Pekingese versus Scottish Terrier     Pekingese versus Canaan Dog     Pekingese versus Mudi     Pekingese versus Affenpinscher     Pekingese versus Jack Russell Terrier     Pekingese versus Peek A Poo     Pekingese versus Barbet     Pekingese versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pekingese versus Boykin Spaniel     Pekingese versus Dutch Shepherd     Pekingese versus Havanese     Pekingese versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Pekingese versus Lancashire Heeler     Pekingese versus Irish Setter     

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Akita Chow     Portuguese Pointer versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Border Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Portuguese Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer     Portuguese Pointer versus Labrador Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Karelian Bear Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Cocker Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Black Russian Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Chow Chow     Portuguese Pointer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Field Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     Portuguese Pointer versus American Eskimo Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Morkie     Portuguese Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     Portuguese Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Norwegian Lundehund     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     

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