Is the Plott Better than the Pointer as a Pet? Answer…

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Plott Versus Pointer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Plott and the 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 Plott and for the 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 Plott and the Pointer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Plott or the Pointer.

Plott versus Pointer: Overview

Both the Plott and the Pointer are similar in size. The Plott and the Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Plott 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 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.

Plott versus Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Plott to the 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 Plott and the Pointer

Factor Plott Pointer
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Weight 40 to 75 pounds 45 to 75 pounds
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $600 $1080
Price Range $480 – $700 $800 – $1300
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 161 115

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Plott 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 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 Plott is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pointer is 75 out of 125.

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

    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 Plott and the Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Plott and the Pointer

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

  • Both the Plott and the Pointer do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Plott and the 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 Plott and the Pointer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Plott and the Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Plott versus Pointer

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

    Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pointers weigh 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Pointers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Plott versus Pointer

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

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

    Pointers live longer than Plotts.

    Price of Plott versus Price of Pointer

    The average price of the Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of a Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pointer puppy is $1080. The price of the Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of the Pointer can be as low as $300 and as high as $1700. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 16 Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pointer is more expensive than the Plott.

    Plott Pointer
    Average Price $600 $1080
    Price Range $480 to $700 $800 to $1300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Plott and Pointer. For different price points, the charts show how many Plott puppies or how many Pointer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Pointers

    A breakdown of the prices of Pointers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Plott puppy or the Pointer 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.

    Adopting the Plott versus Adopting the Pointer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Plotts and many Pointers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Plott named Diesel that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Plotts like Diesel on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Plotts, Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Dodger is a Male Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pointers like Dodger that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Plott and the Pointer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Treble is the name of another Plott (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Dude is an adorable Male Pointer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Plotts and Pointers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Plotts and Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Plott versus Popularity of Pointer

    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 Plott and the Pointer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pointer is 115 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Pointer

    Popularity of Pointer

    Year Plott Popularity Rank Pointer Popularity Rank
    2013 149 114
    2014 154 119
    2015 149 114
    2016 158 117
    2017 166 113
    2018 171 114
    2019 177 115
    2020 167 116

    Tolerates Being Alone: Plott versus Pointer

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Plotts shed more than Pointers?

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

    Pointers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Plott or the Pointer

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Plott or the Pointer?

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Plott Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?

    Plotts 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.

    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 Plotts Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?

    Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Plott vs. Pointer

    Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

    Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Plott or the Pointer?

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Plotts good family dogs? What about Pointers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Plotts and Pointers?

    Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Plott Easier to Train than the Pointer?

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Pointers are very easy to train.

    Is the Plott Better for Apartment Owners than the Pointer?

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott

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

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (81 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (75 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Field Spaniel (77 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Field Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Silky Terrier     Plott versus Miniature Pinscher     Plott versus Kooikerhondje     Plott versus Irish Terrier     Plott versus Berger Picard     Plott versus Weimaraner     Plott versus Valley Bulldog     Plott versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Plott versus Saint Berdoodle     Plott versus Portuguese Pointer     Plott versus Jack Russell Terrier     Plott versus Great Dane     Plott versus Norfolk Terrier     Plott versus Irish Wolfhound     Plott versus German Shepherd Dog     Plott versus Kai Ken     Plott versus Akita Chow     Plott versus Morkie     Plott versus Affenpinscher     Plott versus Cockalier     Plott versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Plott versus Scottish Deerhound     Plott versus Portuguese Water Dog     Plott versus Gordon Setter     Plott versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     

    Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pointer versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pointer versus Siberian Husky     Pointer versus Plott     Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Pointer versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Pointer versus Leonberger     Pointer versus Cockalier     Pointer versus Sloughi     Pointer versus Saint Bernard     Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pointer versus Cavapoo     Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier     Pointer versus American Bulldog     Pointer versus Papipoo     Pointer versus Jack Russell Terrier     Pointer versus Brussels Griffon     Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Pointer versus Shiloh Shepherd     Pointer versus Collie     Pointer versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Pointer versus Cocker Spaniel     Pointer versus Maltese     Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Pointer versus American Water Spaniel     Pointer versus Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Plott versus 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 Plott and the Pointer better suits you and your family.