Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Poodle Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
- Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
- Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer
- The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer
- Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer
- Do Poodles shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer
- How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Portuguese Pointers?
- Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Portuguese Pointer
- Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Poodle Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer? 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 Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Poodle and for the Portuguese Pointer. 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 Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer.
Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:
However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.
Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.
In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.
Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
A very important difference between the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Poodle 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.
On the other hand, the Portuguese 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.
Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Poodle to the Portuguese Pointer 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 Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer
Factor | Poodle | Portuguese Pointer |
---|---|---|
Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Weight |
|
35 to 59 pounds |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 1/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Height |
|
20 to 22 inches |
Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
Average Price |
|
No Data |
Price Range |
|
No Data |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
*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 Poodle 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 Pointer. 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 Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Poodle is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get a Poodle!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer
Below is a list of where the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer
The Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer.
Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:
There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.
See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:
On the other hand, Portuguese Pointers weigh 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Pointers are 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.
Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
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 Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer 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 Poodle is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Poodle than for the Portuguese Pointer.
4 health tests are recommended for Poodle while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Poodles and in Portuguese Pointers.
Poodle Health Problems
Poodles are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Poodle 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 Poodle puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Poodle 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 Poodles for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Poodles here.
Portuguese Pointer Health Problems
Portuguese Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese 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 Portuguese Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Pointers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer
Poodles do not like to be left alone.
Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.
See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Poodles shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.
Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles
Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer?
Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.
Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer?
Poodles get along very well with other dogs.
Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.
Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..
Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
Poodles are very easy to train.
Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.
To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer
Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Portuguese Pointers?
Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
Poodles 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.
Portuguese 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.
Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Portuguese Pointer
Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Portuguese Pointers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Poodles can tolerate hot weather.
Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?
Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the Portuguese Pointer?
Poodles are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Portuguese Pointer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:
poodle versus Sheepadoodle poodle versus Basenji poodle versus Dachshund poodle versus Dogue de Bordeaux poodle versus Miniature Schnauzer poodle versus Westiepoo poodle versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi poodle versus Alaskan Klee Kai poodle versus Miniature Schnauzer poodle versus Lakeland Terrier
Conclusion: Poodle versus Portuguese Pointer. 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 Poodle and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.