Why the German Shorthaired Pointer is Better than the Plott as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Plott: Introduction

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

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

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 Plott.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott: Overview

Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott are similar in size. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott 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 Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott: Comparison Table

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

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerPlott
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/54/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
General Health3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT chew on things2/53/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds40 to 75 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/53/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/51/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/53/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$1140$570
Price Range$800 – $1300$480 – $700
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
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds10162
    *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 Plott. 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 Plott is 74 out of 125.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott

    The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott

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

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott 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 Plott can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott

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

    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 Plott weighs 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. The Plott is 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Plott

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

    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

    Plott Colors

    The Plott comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brindle
    • Black
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige

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

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Brindle
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Golden

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott

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

    The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Plott.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Plott

    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 Plott puppy is $570. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of the Plott can be as low as $100 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 21 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer is more expensive than the Plott.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Plott
    Average Price $1140 $570
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $480 to $700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shorthaired Pointer and Plott. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies or how many Plott 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 Plotts

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts

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

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Plott

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers and many Plotts 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 Rodney that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers like Rodney on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Quinn is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Quinn that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Blue 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 Plotts that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of Plott

    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 Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. 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 Plott is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 13 149
    2014 12 154
    2015 11 149
    2016 11 158
    2017 10 166
    2018 9 171
    2019 9 177
    2020 9 167
    2021 9 171

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Plott

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Plotts?

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

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

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

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

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

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Plotts?

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

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

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

    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.

    Plotts 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 Plotts?

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

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

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

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

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Plott

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

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Plotts are not the best dogs 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 Plott. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Australian Shepherd     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lhasa Apso     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Whoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Canaan Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pharaoh Hound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boykin Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Akita Chow     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Great Dane     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Valley Bulldog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saluki     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Hairless Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shiloh Shepherd     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lhasapoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bull Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Carolina Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Gordon Setter     

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