A Detailed Comparison of the Portuguese Pointer and the Xoloitzcuintli.

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Portuguese Pointer Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction

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

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

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 Xoloitzcuintli.

Portuguese Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview

Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Xoloitzcuintli are similar in size. The Portuguese Pointer and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli

Factor Portuguese Pointer Xoloitzcuintli
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 14 to 20 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
Height 20 to 22 inches 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Weight 35 to 59 pounds 10 to 50 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 17.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2500
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
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • 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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Xoloitzcuintlis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Portuguese Pointers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

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

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

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

    On the other hand, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    The lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is between 14 to 20 years. The average lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is 17.0 years.

    Xoloitzcuintlis live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

    Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer versus Health Problems of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Portuguese Pointer while 4 tests are recommended for the Xoloitzcuintli.

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

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintli Health Problems

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

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Xoloitzcuintlis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Xoloitzcuintli

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Pointer or the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Xoloitzcuintli

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

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

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintli?

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Glen of Imaal Terrier (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Glen of Imaal Terrier.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Lhasapoo (71 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Lhasapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Havanese     Portuguese Pointer versus Briard     Portuguese Pointer versus Siberian Husky     Portuguese Pointer versus Plott     Portuguese Pointer versus German Pinscher     Portuguese Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Dachshund     Portuguese Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Bich Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Scottish Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Bordoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Cane Corso     Portuguese Pointer versus West Highland White Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Samoyed     Portuguese Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog     Portuguese Pointer versus Japanese Spitz     Portuguese Pointer versus Gordon Setter     Portuguese Pointer versus Barbet     Portuguese Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Vizsla     

    Xoloitzcuintli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Xoloitzcuintli versus Cavachon     Xoloitzcuintli versus Bracco Italiano     Xoloitzcuintli versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Xoloitzcuintli versus Kuvasz     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pug     Xoloitzcuintli versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Boykin Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Maremma Sheepdog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Silky Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus French Bulldog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pyredoodle     Xoloitzcuintli versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Kishu Ken     Xoloitzcuintli versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Xoloitzcuintli versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Xoloitzcuintli versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Xoloitzcuintli versus American Hairless Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Miniature Poodle     Xoloitzcuintli versus English Springer Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Borzoi     Xoloitzcuintli versus Affenpinscher     Xoloitzcuintli versus Afghan Hound     Xoloitzcuintli versus Golden Retriever     

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