Differences and Similarities between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Labradoodle.

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Labradoodle: Introduction

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

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

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 Labradoodle.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle: Overview

A very important difference between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Labradoodle is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the Labradoodle is a large-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 Labradoodle belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the Labradoodle 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 Labradoodle

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerLabradoodle
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/54/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho21 to 24 inches at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners2/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT chew on things2/55/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds50 to 65 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$1140$1640
Price Range$800 – $1300$1000 – $2000
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 Labradoodle. 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 Labradoodle is 94 out of 125.

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

    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 Labradoodle

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Labradoodle

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone. However, Labradoodles can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Labradoodles can tolerate cold weather.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Labradoodles are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Labradoodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Labradoodle

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

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

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

    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 Labradoodle weighs 50 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Labradoodle is 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Labradoodle

    Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Labradoodle

    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

    Labradoodle Colors

    The Labradoodle comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Golden
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Bicolor
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

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

    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Merle (Red)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Bicolor
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle

    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 Labradoodle is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Labradoodle is 13.0 years.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Labradoodle.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Labradoodle

    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 Labradoodle puppy is $1640. The price of the Labradoodle typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Labradoodle can be as low as $250 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2360 Labradoodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Labradoodle is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Labradoodle
    Average Price $1140 $1640
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shorthaired Pointer and Labradoodle. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies or how many Labradoodle 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 German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Labradoodles

    A breakdown of the prices of Labradoodles

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy or the Labradoodle 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.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Labradoodle

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers and many Labradoodles 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, Labradoodles are also available for adoption. For example, Terry is a Male Labradoodle that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Labradoodles like Terry that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Labradoodle 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.

    Also, Gracious Mr Georgio Of Georgio & Lucce ~ Bonded Pair is an adorable Male Labradoodle on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    German Shorthaired Pointers and Labradoodles are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Labradoodles can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Labradoodles?

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

    Labradoodles shed moderately.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Labradoodles are very easy to groom.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Labradoodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Labradoodles?

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

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Labradoodle?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Labradoodles are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Labradoodle

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

    Labradoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Labradoodles?

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

    Labradoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    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.

    Labradoodles 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Labradoodles?

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

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labradoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Labradoodles can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Labradoodle

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

    Labradoodles 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 Labradoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Labradoodles can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Labradoodle?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Labradoodles adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

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

    Labradoodles 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 Labradoodle. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Miniature Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Staffordshire Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Manchester Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cavapoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Papillon     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cairn Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Fila Brasileiro     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Bulldog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shichon     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cocker Spaniel     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Labradoodle. 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 Labradoodle better suits you and your family.