Breed Comparison: Portuguese Pointer Versus Yorkshire Terrier

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Portuguese Pointer Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview

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

The table below compares the Portuguese Pointer to the Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier

Factor Portuguese Pointer Yorkshire 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 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 22 inches 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
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 4 to 6 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2950
Average Price No Data $2420
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination – recommended testing frequency at ages 1, 4, and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • 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 Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125.

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

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

  • Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Yorkshire Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Yorkshire Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier

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

  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Pointer and the Yorkshire 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, Yorkshire Terriers weigh 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Yorkshire Terriers are 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Yorkshire Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Yorkshire Terriers live longer than Portuguese Pointers.

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

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

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

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

    Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Yorkshire Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Pointer versus Yorkshire Terrier

    Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Portuguese Pointers shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Portuguese Pointer or the Yorkshire Terrier

    Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Yorkshire 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.

    Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terriers?

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

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Pointer vs. Yorkshire Terrier

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

    Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

    Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Pointers good family dogs? What about Yorkshire Terriers?

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

    Yorkshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Portuguese Pointers and Yorkshire Terriers?

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

    Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Easier to Train than the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Affenpinscher (74 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Affenpinscher.
  • Lhasa Apso (75 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Lhasapoo (75 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Lhasapoo.
  • Chorkie (83 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Pointer vs Chorkie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Portuguese Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Pointer versus Cavapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Puli     Portuguese Pointer versus Whoodle     Portuguese Pointer versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Portuguese Pointer versus Plott     Portuguese Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     Portuguese Pointer versus Berger Picard     Portuguese Pointer versus Swedish Vallhund     Portuguese Pointer versus Alaskan Malamute     Portuguese Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Havanese     Portuguese Pointer versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Silky Terrier     Portuguese Pointer versus Pomapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Mudi     Portuguese Pointer versus Cocker Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Keeshond     Portuguese Pointer versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Portuguese Pointer versus Lhasapoo     Portuguese Pointer versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Portuguese Pointer versus Peek A Poo     Portuguese Pointer versus Dogo Argentino     Portuguese Pointer versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Portuguese Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Yorkshire Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     Yorkshire Terrier versus Akita     Yorkshire Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Havanese     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pomeranian     Yorkshire Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Yorkshire Terrier versus Borzoi     Yorkshire Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Saluki     Yorkshire Terrier versus Barbet     Yorkshire Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Yorkshire Terrier versus Schipperke     Yorkshire Terrier versus American Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Beaglier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Great Dane     Yorkshire Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pomchi     

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