Why the German Shorthaired Pointer is Better than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2022

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde? 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Overview

Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are similar in size. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the German Shorthaired 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

Factor German Shorthaired Pointer Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 9 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 1/5
Weight 45 to 70 pounds 48 to 55 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 10.5 years
Average Price $1140 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1300 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data

    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shorthaired 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 77 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde, we still believe that the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

    This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the German Shorthaired Pointer will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the German Shorthaired Pointer :-). We are for the German Shorthaired Pointer. So get a German Shorthaired Pointer!

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are most different:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate cold weather.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are most similar:

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde weighs 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    German Shorthaired Pointer Colors

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    Appenzeller Sennenhunde Colors

    The Appenzeller Sennenhunde comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black

    The Appenzeller Sennenhunde comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 10.5 years.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers and many Appenzeller Sennenhundes are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male German Shorthaired Pointer named Blue that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers like Blue on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Appenzeller Sennenhundes are also available for adoption. For example, Boss is a Male Appenzeller Sennenhunde that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Appenzeller Sennenhundes like Boss that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Rodney is the name of another German Shorthaired Pointer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers and Appenzeller Sennenhundes that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

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

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

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

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    German Shorthaired 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.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

    German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Appenzeller Sennenhunde

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

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are OK for new dog owners.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the German Shorthaired Pointer compares to other breeds aside from the Appenzeller Sennenhunde. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Maltipoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Finnish Lapphund     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boxer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Chow Chow     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Flat-Coated Retriever     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Lundehund     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bolognese     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Fila Brasileiro     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Beaglier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shih Tzu     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Westiepoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Scottish Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Affenpinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cesky Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bloodhound     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde better suits you and your family.