Which is Better between the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Pointer Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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

Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Shetland Sheepdog 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.

Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pointer to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor Pointer Shetland Sheepdog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 75 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1080 $1590
Price Range $800 – $1300 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 90.0 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 115 23
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 43 6

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pointer 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

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

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

    Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Pointers are very easy to groom. However, Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Pointers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    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.

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

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

    Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Temperament of the Pointer Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Pointer has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pointer is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 90.0 percent, the Pointer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 20 Pointers and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Pointer versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

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

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the Pointer.

    Pointer Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $1080 $1590
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $1000 to $2000

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

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

    Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The Intelligence of the Pointer versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog

    Pointer Shetland Sheepdog
    Intelligence Rank 43 out of 130 dog breeds 6 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pointer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pointers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Pointer.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Pointer versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Pointer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pointer is 115 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pointer

    Popularity of Pointer

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Year Pointer Popularity Rank Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 114 21
    2014 119 21
    2015 114 23
    2016 117 24
    2017 113 24
    2018 114 25
    2019 115 25
    2020 116 27

    Health Problems of Pointer versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pointer than for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    5 health tests are recommended for Pointer while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pointers and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Pointer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pointers here.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pointers and Shetland Sheepdogs

    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 Pointer Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Pointer ranks 17 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Pointers, 1 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pointers, and how common these diseases are in Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 17 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 44 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 66 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 137 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Pointer and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pointer and the Shetland Sheepdog:

    Disease Pointer Rank Shetland Sheepdog Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 17 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 44 out of 115 dog breeds 5 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 66 out of 144 dog breeds 101 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 137 out of 198 dog breeds 166 out of 198 dog breeds
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems Not Common 3 out of 7 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems Not Common 4 out of 7 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 6 out of 49 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 6 out of 15 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 46 out of 70 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 89 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 122 out of 182 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: Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pointers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Pointers shed moderately.

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Pointer or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pointer or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pointer vs. Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pointers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Pointers and Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Pointer Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Pointers are very easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Shetland Sheepdog vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (75 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Field Spaniel (77 percent match with Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Field Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Pointer vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pointer versus Affenhuahua     Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pointer versus Irish Terrier     Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     Pointer versus Morkie     Pointer versus Boxer     Pointer versus Brittany     Pointer versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Pointer versus Sheepadoodle     Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     Pointer versus Schnoodle     Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound     Pointer versus English Springer Spaniel     Pointer versus Papillon     Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pointer versus Field Spaniel     Pointer versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pointer versus Goldendoodle     Pointer versus Airedale Terrier     Pointer versus Chorkie     Pointer versus Weimaraner     Pointer versus Cavachon     Pointer versus Australian Terrier     Pointer versus Chihuahua     Pointer versus Tibetan Terrier     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Water Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Belgian Tervuren     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kuvasz     Shetland Sheepdog versus Miniature Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Akita Chow     Shetland Sheepdog versus Irish Setter     Shetland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Pointer     Shetland Sheepdog versus Valley Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shetland Sheepdog versus Field Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Barbet     Shetland Sheepdog versus Shiranian     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Shetland Sheepdog versus Norwegian Buhund     Shetland Sheepdog versus Japanese Spitz     Shetland Sheepdog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shetland Sheepdog versus Greyhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cesky Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus English Springer Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     

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