Breed Comparison: Portuguese Pointer Versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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Portuguese Pointer Versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier? 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Overview

Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are similar in size. The Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.

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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Factor Portuguese Pointer Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 22 inches 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 59 pounds 30 to 40 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1050 – $2200
Average Price No Data $1810
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is 89 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier!

    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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most different:

  • Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Pointer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    Portuguese Pointers weigh 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Pointers are 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

    Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Pointer than for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    3 health tests are recommended for Portuguese Pointer while 2 tests are recommended for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Portuguese Pointers and in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

    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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    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.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Portuguese Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Portuguese Pointer or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers 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:

  • American Bulldog (79 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:

  • Cavachon (82 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Cavachon.
  • Lowchen (80 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Lowchen.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Portuguese Pointer and how the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Portuguese Pointer and of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to other breeds:

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Portuguese Pointer versus Great Dane     Portuguese Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Portuguese Pointer versus Clumber Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Chi-Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Saint Berdoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Coton de Tulear     Portuguese Pointer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Scottish Deerhound     Portuguese Pointer versus Dogo Argentino     Portuguese Pointer versus Valley Bulldog     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Afador     Portuguese Pointer versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Kooikerhondje     Portuguese Pointer versus Bedlington Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Shiranian     Portuguese Pointer versus Mudi     Portuguese Pointer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Portuguese Pointer versus Saluki     Portuguese Pointer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Boerboel     Portuguese Pointer versus Airedale Terrier     

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Samoyed     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Leonberger     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus American Bulldog     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Bulldog     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Havanese     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Cane Corso     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Great Dane     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Great Dane     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Boxer     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Papipoo     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Puggle     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Cane Corso     

    Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better suits you and your family.