Breed comparison
German Shorthaired Pointer vs Portuguese Water Dog
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Portuguese Water Dog5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
4Good with other dogs4
4Openness to strangers4
4Playfulness5
5Energy level5
5Trainability5
5Mental stimulation needs5
4Adaptability5
4Watchdog / protective4
3Barking3
3Shedding2
2Coat grooming4
2Drooling2
The biggest differences
- Coat grooming: the Portuguese Water Dog scores 4 out of 5, the German Shorthaired Pointer 2.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, energy level, trainability.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the German Shorthaired Pointer if its looks and size suit you better, since the ratings are close. Pick the Portuguese Water Dog if you want less dog hair, you live in a smaller home or move often.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.