| Breed |  Rat Terrier |  German Shorthaired Pointer |
|---|
| Origin | United States | Germany |
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| Group | Terrier | Gundog |
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| Size | Small | Large |
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| Coat | Short, smooth, dense single coat | Short |
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| Weight | 4.5 to 11 kg | 20 to 32 kg |
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| Height | 25 to 46 cm | 58 to 64 cm |
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| Lifespan | 13 to 18 yrs | 12 to 14 yrs |
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| Exercise need | 8/10 | 10/10 |
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| Affection | 8/10 | 8/10 |
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| Grooming needs | 2/10 | 2/10 |
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| Barking | 6/10 | 5/10 |
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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 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
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| Copes alone | 4/10 | 2/10 |
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| Drool | 1/10 | 3/10 |
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| Shedding | 5/10 | 6/10 |
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| Flat fit | 6/10 | 3/10 |
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| Running cost | €58 / month | €74 / month |
|---|
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
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
