Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pharaoh Hound Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Pharaoh Hound Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of Pharaoh Hound versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Pharaoh Hound versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Pharaoh Hounds shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the Pharaoh Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Pharaoh Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pharaoh Hound vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Pharaoh Hounds good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Pharaoh Hounds and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Pharaoh Hound Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pharaoh Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pharaoh Hound Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog.
Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
Both the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Pharaoh Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | Pharaoh Hound | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 11 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 55 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2500 – $3300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2860 |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 50 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound is 84 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 not better or worse than the Pharaoh Hound. So, you can get the Portuguese Water Dog or the Pharaoh Hound!
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 Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog.
Pharaoh Hounds weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Pharaoh Hounds are 21 to 25 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 Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
The lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is 12.5 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
Pharaoh Hounds live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.
Temperament of the Pharaoh Hound Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
The Pharaoh Hound has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Pharaoh Hound is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Pharaoh Hound has a below-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 Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 55 Pharaoh Hounds and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
The Popularity of Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound. 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 Pharaoh Hound is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pharaoh Hound
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Pharaoh Hound Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 160 | 49 |
| 2014 | 164 | 52 |
| 2015 | 171 | 52 |
| 2016 | 168 | 51 |
| 2017 | 174 | 54 |
| 2018 | 172 | 50 |
| 2019 | 161 | 49 |
| 2020 | 180 | 49 |
Health Problems of Pharaoh Hound versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pharaoh Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Pharaoh Hound.
4 health tests are recommended for Pharaoh Hound while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pharaoh Hounds and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
Pharaoh Hound Health Problems
Pharaoh Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pharaoh Hounds here.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pharaoh Hounds and Portuguese Water Dogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pharaoh Hound Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Pharaoh Hound ranks 18 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 220 Pharaoh Hounds, 18 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pharaoh Hounds, and how common these diseases are in Pharaoh Hounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.
This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pharaoh Hound and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog:
| Disease | Pharaoh Hound Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid problems | 18 out of 115 dog breeds | 59 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 60 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 69 out of 144 dog breeds | 111 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 86 out of 182 dog breeds | 140 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 184 out of 198 dog breeds | 94 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Early Onset Pra problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 15 out of 32 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Pharaoh Hound versus Portuguese Water Dog
Pharaoh Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Pharaoh Hounds shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Pharaoh Hounds do not shed a lot. They are good 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 Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Pharaoh Hounds are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Pharaoh Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Pharaoh Hounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pharaoh Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pharaoh Hound vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Pharaoh Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pharaoh Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Pharaoh Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pharaoh Hounds good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Pharaoh Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Pharaoh Hound Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Pharaoh Hounds are fairly easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the Pharaoh Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Pharaoh Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pharaoh Hound or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Pharaoh Hounds are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pharaoh Hound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Pharaoh Hound and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pharaoh Hound and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Pharaoh Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pharaoh Hound versus Norwegian Buhund Pharaoh Hound versus Pekingese Pharaoh Hound versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pharaoh Hound versus German Shepherd Dog Pharaoh Hound versus Jack Russell Terrier Pharaoh Hound versus American Pit Bull Terrier Pharaoh Hound versus American Bulldog Pharaoh Hound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pharaoh Hound versus Belgian Tervuren Pharaoh Hound versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pharaoh Hound versus Miniature Poodle Pharaoh Hound versus Brittany Pharaoh Hound versus Sussex Spaniel Pharaoh Hound versus Brussels Griffon Pharaoh Hound versus Australian Kelpie Pharaoh Hound versus Morkie Pharaoh Hound versus Bearded Collie Pharaoh Hound versus Scottish Terrier Pharaoh Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel Pharaoh Hound versus Italian Greyhound Pharaoh Hound versus Pyrenean Mastiff Pharaoh Hound versus Maltese Pharaoh Hound versus Bolognese Pharaoh Hound versus Pekingese Pharaoh Hound versus Airedale Terrier
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Crested Portuguese Water Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Dogo Argentino Portuguese Water Dog versus Japanese Chin Portuguese Water Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Valley Bulldog Portuguese Water Dog versus Bolognese Portuguese Water Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Portuguese Water Dog versus Cavachon Portuguese Water Dog versus Berger Picard Portuguese Water Dog versus Bolognese Portuguese Water Dog versus Australian Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer Portuguese Water Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Maltese Portuguese Water Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Peek A Poo Portuguese Water Dog versus Papipoo Portuguese Water Dog versus Hovawart Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiba Inu Portuguese Water Dog versus Puggle Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Shar-Pei Portuguese Water Dog versus Saint Bernard Portuguese Water Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier
Conclusion: Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.