Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Pekingese Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog. 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 Water Dog.

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 Water Dog.

Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog

Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

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

Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog

Factor Pekingese Portuguese Water Dog
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2860
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $2500 – $3300
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 77.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 50

    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 Water Dog. 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 Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs. However, Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with other dogs.
  • Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Portuguese Water Dogs have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Pekingeses have low exercise needs. However, Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    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 Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Pekingeses live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Pekingese.

    Pekingese Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $1930 $2860
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $2500 to $3300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Pekingese versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pekingese and the Portuguese Water Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 77 49
    2014 82 52
    2015 80 52
    2016 93 51
    2017 88 54
    2018 92 50
    2019 83 49
    2020 95 49

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Portuguese Water Dog?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    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 Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Portuguese Water Dog

    Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Water Dog?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

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

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK 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 Water Dog vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Pomsky.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Irish Terrier     Pekingese versus Mastiff     Pekingese versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pekingese versus Japanese Chin     Pekingese versus Cane Corso     Pekingese versus Giant Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Korean Jindo Dog     Pekingese versus Hovawart     Pekingese versus American Bulldog     Pekingese versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Pekingese versus Brittany     Pekingese versus Carolina Dog     Pekingese versus Cairn Terrier     Pekingese versus Akita     Pekingese versus Affenhuahua     Pekingese versus Leonberger     Pekingese versus Siberian Husky     Pekingese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pekingese versus Lhasapoo     Pekingese versus Irish Water Spaniel     Pekingese versus Clumber Spaniel     Pekingese versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pekingese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pekingese versus Dachshund     Pekingese versus Shiloh Shepherd     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Kishu Ken     Portuguese Water Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Portuguese Water Dog versus Morkie     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Portuguese Water Dog versus Morkie     Portuguese Water Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Peek A Poo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Whoodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Aussiedoodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Finnish Lapphund     Portuguese Water Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chorkie     Portuguese Water Dog versus English Setter     Portuguese Water Dog versus Affenhuahua     Portuguese Water Dog versus Akita     Portuguese Water Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pug     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Portuguese Water Dog versus Finnish Lapphund     Portuguese Water Dog versus Dalmatian     Portuguese Water Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Water Dog better suits you and your family.