| Breed |  German Shorthaired Pointer |  Rat Terrier |
|---|
| Origin | Germany | United States |
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| Group | Gundog | Terrier |
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| Size | Large | Small |
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| Coat | Short | Short, smooth, dense single coat |
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| Weight | 20 to 32 kg | 4.5 to 11 kg |
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| Height | 58 to 64 cm | 25 to 46 cm |
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| Lifespan | 12 to 14 yrs | 13 to 18 yrs |
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| Exercise need | 10/10 | 8/10 |
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| Affection | 8/10 | 8/10 |
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| Grooming needs | 2/10 | 2/10 |
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| Barking | 5/10 | 6/10 |
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| Good with children | 7/10 | 7/10 |
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| Good with other dogs | 5/10 | 5/10 |
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| Trainability | 8/10 | 8/10 |
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| Prey drive | 8/10 | 9/10 |
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| Copes alone | 2/10 | 4/10 |
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| Drool | 3/10 | 1/10 |
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| Shedding | 6/10 | 5/10 |
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| Flat fit | 3/10 | 6/10 |
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| Running cost | €74 / month | €58 / month |
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German Shorthaired Pointer verdict
The athlete who never sleeps in
Get one if
- · Runners, hikers and genuinely outdoorsy people
- · Active families with time for two hours of daily exercise
- · Owners interested in gundog work, canicross or dog sports
Think again if
- · Sedentary households or fair-weather walkers
- · Homes empty for long working days
- · Owners wanting a calm, low-exercise companion
Rat Terrier verdict
The farmyard sprinter with a soft side
Get one if
- · Active owners who enjoy training games
- · People wanting a small dog with real stamina
- · Households interested in agility, scentwork or barn hunt
Think again if
- · Homes with small caged pets
- · Gardens that cannot be made escape-proof
- · Owners wanting a quiet, low-energy lapdog
