Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer
- Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer
- Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer
- Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Portuguese Pointers?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Portuguese Pointer
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer.
Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher 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.
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.
Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer
| Factor | Doberman Pinscher | Portuguese Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 20 to 22 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 35 to 59 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get a Doberman Pinscher!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer
The Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer.
The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Portuguese Pointer weighs 35 to 59 pounds when fully grown. The Portuguese Pointer is 20 to 22 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer
The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 years.
The lifespan of the Portuguese Pointer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Portuguese Pointer is 13.0 years.
The Portuguese Pointer live longer than the Doberman Pinscher.
Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Portuguese Pointer.
6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Portuguese Pointers.
Doberman Pinscher Health Problems
Doberman Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers 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: Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Portuguese Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Portuguese Pointers?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Portuguese Pointer
Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Pointers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Portuguese Pointer?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the Portuguese Pointer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher versus Papillon Doberman Pinscher versus American Bulldog Doberman Pinscher versus Alaskan Klee Kai Doberman Pinscher versus Weimaraner Doberman Pinscher versus Bernese Mountain Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Pointer Doberman Pinscher versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Doberman Pinscher versus Akita Chow Doberman Pinscher versus Yorkipoo Doberman Pinscher versus Toy Fox Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Kooikerhondje Doberman Pinscher versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus American Staffordshire Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Brussels Griffon Doberman Pinscher versus Kai Ken Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Biewer Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Shichon
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.