Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Shorthaired Pointer Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
- German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
- German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel
- Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel
- Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
- The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
- Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and English Toy Spaniels?
- Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. English Toy Spaniel
- Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Shorthaired Pointer Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel? 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel.
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 English Toy Spaniel.
German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
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 English Toy Spaniel 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.
German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel
| Factor | German Shorthaired Pointer | English Toy Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 70 pounds | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1140 | $2980 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1300 | $2550 – $3500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 10 | 135 |
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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get a German Shorthaired Pointer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel
Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel
The German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel.
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 English Toy Spaniel weighs 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. The English Toy Spaniel is 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel
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 English Toy Spaniel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the English Toy Spaniel is 11.0 years.
The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the English Toy Spaniel.
Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2980. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2550 – $3500. However, the price of the English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
| German Shorthaired Pointer | English Toy Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1140 | $2980 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1300 | $2550 to $3500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shorthaired Pointer and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or the English Toy Spaniel puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
| Year | German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 | 135 |
| 2014 | 12 | 138 |
| 2015 | 11 | 129 |
| 2016 | 11 | 130 |
| 2017 | 10 | 134 |
| 2018 | 9 | 135 |
| 2019 | 9 | 139 |
| 2020 | 9 | 138 |
| 2021 | 9 | 137 |
Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer than for the English Toy Spaniel.
7 health tests are recommended for German Shorthaired Pointer while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and in English Toy Spaniels.
German Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems
German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shorthaired 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 German Shorthaired Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shorthaired 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 German Shorthaired Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers here.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems
English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and English Toy Spaniels
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the German Shorthaired Pointer Breed is Cone Degeneration problems.
This is because the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Cone Degeneration problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1475 German Shorthaired Pointers, 1 of them had Cone Degeneration problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shorthaired Pointers, and how common these diseases are in German Shorthaired Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in German Shorthaired Pointer and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Toy Spaniel:
| Disease | German Shorthaired Pointer Rank | English Toy Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cone Degeneration problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 12 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 42 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 55 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 68 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 69 out of 159 dog breeds | 2 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 118 out of 182 dog breeds | 4 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 121 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 174 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 4 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and English Toy Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
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.
English Toy Spaniels 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. English Toy Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Toy Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
English Toy Spaniels are very good 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 English Toy Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:
German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Springer Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boykin Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai German Shorthaired Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Whoodle German Shorthaired Pointer versus Rottweiler German Shorthaired Pointer versus Chinook German Shorthaired Pointer versus Siberian Husky German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sealyham Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Canaan Dog German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund German Shorthaired Pointer versus Coton de Tulear German Shorthaired Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwich Terrier
Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.