Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Portuguese Pointer Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
- Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
- Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier
- Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier
- Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of West Highland White Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier
- Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the West Highland White Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Portuguese Pointers Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. West Highland White Terrier
- Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Portuguese Pointer or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and West Highland White Terriers?
- Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Pointer
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Portuguese Pointer Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier.
Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier
| Factor | Portuguese Pointer | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 20 to 22 inches | 10 to 11 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 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 59 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2700 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2220 |
| 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the West Highland White Terrier is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier
Below is a list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier
The Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Pointer and the West Highland White 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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.
West Highland White Terriers live longer than Portuguese Pointers.
Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Portuguese Pointers and in West Highland White 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.
West Highland White Terrier Health Problems
West Highland White Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for West Highland White Terriers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the West Highland White Terrier
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the West Highland White Terrier?
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White 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.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers?
Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. West Highland White Terrier
Portuguese Pointers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier?
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and West Highland White Terriers?
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Portuguese Pointer or the West Highland White Terrier?
Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
West Highland White 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Portuguese Pointer and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Portuguese Pointer and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:
Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Pointer versus Tibetan Spaniel Portuguese Pointer versus Bordoodle Portuguese Pointer versus Papillon Portuguese Pointer versus Great Dane Portuguese Pointer versus Maltese Portuguese Pointer versus Sealyham Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus Manchester Terrier Portuguese Pointer versus Chorkie Portuguese Pointer versus Spanish Mastiff Portuguese Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Portuguese Pointer versus Norwegian Lundehund Portuguese Pointer versus Lhasapoo Portuguese Pointer versus Giant Schnauzer Portuguese Pointer versus Saint Bernard Portuguese Pointer versus Puggle Portuguese Pointer versus Westiepoo Portuguese Pointer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Portuguese Pointer versus Pomeranian Portuguese Pointer versus Tibetan Spaniel Portuguese Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli Portuguese Pointer versus Collie Portuguese Pointer versus Boxer Portuguese Pointer versus German Longhaired Pointer Portuguese Pointer versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Portuguese Pointer versus French Spaniel
West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne West Highland White Terrier versus Plott West Highland White Terrier versus Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund West Highland White Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound West Highland White Terrier versus Biewer Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Goldendoodle West Highland White Terrier versus Vizsla West Highland White Terrier versus Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Airedale Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon West Highland White Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund West Highland White Terrier versus Cavapoo West Highland White Terrier versus Afghan Hound West Highland White Terrier versus Pug West Highland White Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund West Highland White Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher West Highland White Terrier versus Mudi West Highland White Terrier versus Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel West Highland White Terrier versus Kooikerhondje West Highland White Terrier versus Saluki West Highland White Terrier versus Australian Kelpie
Conclusion: Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.