Differences and Similarities between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

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

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

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 Portuguese Water Dog.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerPortuguese Water Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT chew on things2/51/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds35 to 60 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/55/5
Low Prey Drive1/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$1140$2510
Price Range$800 – $1300$2000 – $2850
Temperament Score78.1 percent77.9 percent
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
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1050
    *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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Portuguese Water Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog

    Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom. However, Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog.

    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 Portuguese Water Dog weighs 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. The Portuguese Water Dog is 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Size of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Portuguese Water Dog

    Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog

    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

    Portuguese Water Dog Colors

    The Portuguese Water Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream

    The Portuguese Water Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dog is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Portuguese Water Dog is 12.0 years.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Portuguese Water Dog.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Temperament of the German Shorthaired Pointer Versus the Portuguese Water Dog

    The German Shorthaired Pointer has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2510. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2000 – $2850. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 329 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $1140 $2510
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $2000 to $2850

    The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shorthaired Pointer and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shorthaired Pointer puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

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

    The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Year German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 13 49
    2014 12 52
    2015 11 52
    2016 11 51
    2017 10 54
    2018 9 50
    2019 9 49
    2020 9 49
    2021 9 44

    Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    7 health tests are recommended for German Shorthaired Pointer while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and in Portuguese Water Dogs.

    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:

  • 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

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers here.

    Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and Portuguese Water Dogs

    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:

  • Cone Degeneration problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 12 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 55 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 68 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 69 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 118 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 121 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 174 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.

    This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Early Onset Pra problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 15 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 59 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 94 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 111 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 140 out of 182 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in German Shorthaired Pointer and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Portuguese Water Dog:

    Disease German Shorthaired Pointer Rank Portuguese Water Dog 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 59 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 69 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 118 out of 182 dog breeds 140 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 121 out of 144 dog breeds 111 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 174 out of 198 dog breeds 94 out of 198 dog breeds
    Early Onset Pra problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 15 out of 32 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 Portuguese Water Dog

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

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

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    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.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Dachshund     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Afador     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Belgian Malinois     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Coton de Tulear     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Goldador     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Field Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Manchester Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pug     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Mastiff     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Affenpinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Scottish Deerhound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Gordon Setter     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.