Differences and Similarities between the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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Portuguese Pointer Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Portuguese Pointer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Factor Portuguese Pointer Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 22 inches 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 59 pounds 24 to 38 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 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
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 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2425
Average Price No Data $1890
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Pointer and the Staffordshire Bull 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, Staffordshire Bull Terriers weigh 24 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Staffordshire Bull Terriers is 13.0 years.

    Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier than for the Portuguese Pointer.

    3 health tests are recommended for Portuguese Pointer while 7 tests are recommended for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Portuguese Pointers and in Staffordshire Bull 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.

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Staffordshire Bull Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Staffordshire Bull 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.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Portuguese Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

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

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Portuguese Pointer or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Portuguese Pointer or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not the best dogs 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Patterdale Terrier (78 percent match with Portuguese Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

  • Boxer (71 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Boxer.
  • Schipperke (72 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Schipperke.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Mastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus Australian Kelpie     Portuguese Pointer versus Bullmastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus Jack Russell Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Affenhuahua     Portuguese Pointer versus Coton de Tulear     Portuguese Pointer versus Sheepadoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren     Portuguese Pointer versus Chihuahua     Portuguese Pointer versus Dogo Argentino     Portuguese Pointer versus Cesky Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Dalmatian     Portuguese Pointer versus Bearded Collie     Portuguese Pointer versus Coton de Tulear     Portuguese Pointer versus American Water Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Portuguese Pointer versus Finnish Lapphund     Portuguese Pointer versus Akita     Portuguese Pointer versus Newfoundland     Portuguese Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Papipoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Brittany     Portuguese Pointer versus Afador     Portuguese Pointer versus Korean Jindo Dog     

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bloodhound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Pomsky     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Basenji     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Saluki     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus English Setter     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Vizsla     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Pomeranian     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Cavachon     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Shichon     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Beaglier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Border Collie     

    Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier better suits you and your family.