Differences and Similarities between the Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund.

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Portuguese Pointer Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.

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 Swedish Vallhund.

Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund are similar in size. The Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund 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.

Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

Factor Portuguese Pointer Swedish Vallhund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Height 20 to 22 inches 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch 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 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 59 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
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 $2500 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2500
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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

    Below is a list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:

  • Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Pointer and the Swedish Vallhund.

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

    On the other hand, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund

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

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

    Swedish Vallhunds live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

    Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Pointer than for the Swedish Vallhund.

    3 health tests are recommended for Portuguese Pointer while 2 tests are recommended for the Swedish Vallhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Portuguese Pointers and in Swedish Vallhunds.

    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.

    Swedish Vallhund Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Swedish Vallhunds here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Swedish Vallhund

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    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.

    Swedish Vallhunds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Portuguese Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

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

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Swedish Vallhund

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

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

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund?

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Portuguese Pointer or the Swedish Vallhund?

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

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

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

  • Dalmatian (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Puggle     Portuguese Pointer versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Portuguese Pointer versus Pyredoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Golden Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Pomeranian     Portuguese Pointer versus Bichon Frise     Portuguese Pointer versus Rottweiler     Portuguese Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Akita Chow     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Peek A Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Chi-Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Karelian Bear Dog     Portuguese Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Portuguese Pointer versus Pyredoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Pug     Portuguese Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Portuguese Pointer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Portuguese Pointer versus Newfoundland     Portuguese Pointer versus Bullmastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus Weimaraner     Portuguese Pointer versus Great Pyrenees     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus English Springer Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Miniature Pinscher     Swedish Vallhund versus Saluki     Swedish Vallhund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Swedish Vallhund versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Swedish Vallhund versus Golden Retriever     Swedish Vallhund versus Stabyhoun     Swedish Vallhund versus Cockalier     Swedish Vallhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Swedish Vallhund versus Dachshund     Swedish Vallhund versus Tibetan Mastiff     Swedish Vallhund versus Carolina Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Silky Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Dalmatian     Swedish Vallhund versus American Foxhound     Swedish Vallhund versus Canaan Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Norwegian Lundehund     Swedish Vallhund versus Mountain Cur     Swedish Vallhund versus Shih Tzu     Swedish Vallhund versus Weimaraner     Swedish Vallhund versus Komondor     Swedish Vallhund versus Miniature Poodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Mudi     Swedish Vallhund versus Berger Picard     Swedish Vallhund versus Beaglier     

    Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.