Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
- Collie versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
- Collie versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Portuguese Pointer
- Lifespan of Collie versus Portuguese Pointer
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Portuguese Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Portuguese Pointer
- Do Collies shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Portuguese Pointer?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Portuguese Pointer
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Portuguese Pointers?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Portuguese Pointer
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Portuguese Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Portuguese Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Portuguese Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Portuguese Pointer.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Portuguese Pointer.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Portuguese Pointer: Overview
Both the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer are similar in size. The Collie and the Portuguese Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Collie versus Portuguese Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Portuguese Pointer
| Factor | Collie | Portuguese Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 20 to 22 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 35 to 59 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | 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 Collie 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Pointer is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Portuguese Pointer. So, you should get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer
The Collie and the Portuguese Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Portuguese Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Portuguese Pointer.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all 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 Collie versus Portuguese Pointer
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 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 Collie.
Health Problems of Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Portuguese Pointer.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Portuguese Pointer.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Portuguese Pointers.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies 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: Collie versus Portuguese Pointer
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Portuguese Pointers?
Collies 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 Collie or the Portuguese Pointer?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Portuguese Pointer?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Pointers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Portuguese Pointer?
Collies are very easy to train.
Portuguese Pointers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Portuguese Pointer
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Pointers drool moderately.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Portuguese Pointers?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Pointer?
Collies 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 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Pointers?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Portuguese Pointers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Portuguese Pointer
Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Pointers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Pointer?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Portuguese Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Portuguese Pointer?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Portuguese Pointer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Afador Collie versus Bichon Frise Collie versus Border Terrier Collie versus Briard Collie versus Clumber Spaniel Collie versus Stabyhoun Collie versus Cavachon Collie versus Labrador Retriever Collie versus Airedale Terrier Collie versus Boston Terrier Collie versus Cesky Terrier Collie versus Fila Brasileiro Collie versus Alaskan Malamute Collie versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Collie versus Dogo Argentino Collie versus Hovawart
Conclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Portuguese Pointer better suits you and your family.