Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Portuguese Pointer Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu
- Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu
- Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu?
- Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Portuguese Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Shiba Inus?
- Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Portuguese Pointer Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu? 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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu 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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu 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 Portuguese Pointer and for the Shiba Inu. 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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu.
Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Portuguese Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Shiba Inu 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.
Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the Shiba Inu 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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu
| Factor | Portuguese Pointer | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 20 to 22 inches | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 59 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2130 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Portuguese 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 Shiba Inu. 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 Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiba Inu is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get the Shiba Inu!
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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu
The Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu.
Portuguese Pointers weigh 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Pointers are 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Shiba Inus weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Shiba Inus are 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu
The lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Pointers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.
Shiba Inus live longer than Portuguese Pointers.
Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Portuguese Pointer.
3 health tests are recommended for Portuguese Pointer while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Portuguese Pointers and in Shiba Inus.
Portuguese Pointer Health Problems
Portuguese Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.
Shiba Inu Health Problems
Shiba Inus are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inus for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Shiba Inus?
Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu?
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Portuguese Pointers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Portuguese Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Shiba Inu
Portuguese Pointers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu?
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Shiba Inus?
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Portuguese Pointer or the Shiba Inu?
Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Pointer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Portuguese Pointer:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Portuguese Pointer and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Portuguese Pointer and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:
Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Pointer versus Black Russian Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Portuguese Pointer versus Cavachon Portuguese Pointer versus Carolina Dog Portuguese Pointer versus Toy Poodle Portuguese Pointer versus Italian Greyhound Portuguese Pointer versus Sloughi Portuguese Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Portuguese Pointer versus American Hairless Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus King Shepherd Portuguese Pointer versus Papillon Portuguese Pointer versus Estrela Mountain Dog Portuguese Pointer versus English Springer Spaniel Portuguese Pointer versus Bouvier des Flandres Portuguese Pointer versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Portuguese Pointer versus Afador Portuguese Pointer versus Great Pyrenees Portuguese Pointer versus Flat-Coated Retriever Portuguese Pointer versus Labradoodle Portuguese Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus King Shepherd Portuguese Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher Portuguese Pointer versus Kuvasz Portuguese Pointer versus French Spaniel Portuguese Pointer versus Irish Setter
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Borzoi Shiba Inu versus Norwegian Buhund Shiba Inu versus German Shepherd Dog Shiba Inu versus Plott Shiba Inu versus Saint Berdoodle Shiba Inu versus Labradoodle Shiba Inu versus Norwich Terrier Shiba Inu versus Bernedoodle Shiba Inu versus Whoodle Shiba Inu versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Shiba Inu versus Neapolitan Mastiff Shiba Inu versus Korean Jindo Dog Shiba Inu versus Mudi Shiba Inu versus Shichon Shiba Inu versus Shiranian Shiba Inu versus Cocker Spaniel Shiba Inu versus Brittany Shiba Inu versus Kishu Ken Shiba Inu versus German Pinscher Shiba Inu versus Akita Chow Shiba Inu versus Bernedoodle Shiba Inu versus Japanese Spitz Shiba Inu versus Fila Brasileiro Shiba Inu versus Portuguese Pointer Shiba Inu versus Aussiedoodle
Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus Shiba Inu. 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 Portuguese Pointer and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.