West Highland White Terrier vs German Shorthaired Pointer
Breed Compatibility
91% Compatible
Energy Level
West Highland White Terrier: Regular Exercise0.6
German Shorthaired Pointer: Needs Lots of Activity1.0
Moderately Compatible
Trainability
West Highland White Terrier: Agreeable0.6
German Shorthaired Pointer: Eager to Please1.0
Moderately Compatible
Grooming Needs
West Highland White Terrier: Daily Brushing0.8
German Shorthaired Pointer: Weekly Brushing0.4
Moderately Compatible
Cost Category
Premium
Premium
Very Compatible
Compatibility with Others
Good with Children
West Highland White Terrier5/5
German Shorthaired Pointer5/5
Good with Other Dogs
West Highland White Terrier3/5
German Shorthaired Pointer4/5
Good with Strangers
West Highland White Terrier4/5
German Shorthaired Pointer4/5
Living Requirements
Health & Care Comparison
West Highland White Terrier
Craniomandibular Osteopathy: Jaw bone growth
Legg-Calve-Perthes: Hip joint issue
Addison's Disease: Hormone deficiency
White Shaker Syndrome: Tremor condition
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Lung tissue scarring
Skin Allergies: Dermatological issues
German Shorthaired Pointer
Hip Dysplasia: Joint malformation risk
Von Willebrand's Disease: Blood clotting
Entropion: Eyelid rolls inward issue
Bloat: Gastric torsion condition
Epilepsy: Neurological disorder risk
Lymphedema: Tissue swelling concern
Pros & Cons Comparison
West Highland White Terrier
Pros
Adaptable to different living situations
Good with families
Low-shedding coat
Alert watchdog
Cons
Can be stubborn
Regular grooming required
May chase small animals
Can be vocal
German Shorthaired Pointer
Pros
Excellent hunting companion
Highly trainable
Versatile athlete
Great family dog
Cons
High exercise needs
Strong prey drive
Requires consistent training
May be too energetic for some
West Highland White Terrier Fun Fact
Their white coat was specifically bred after a farmer accidentally shot his reddish-brown terrier, mistaking it for a fox!
German Shorthaired Pointer Fun Fact
Can maintain speeds of up to 35 mph while running and are excellent swimmers due to their webbed feet.
Heritage & Purpose
West Highland White Terrier
Origin:
Developed in Scotland during the 1800s, these terriers were bred to hunt rats, foxes, and other vermin in the Scottish Highlands, with their white coat making them easily distinguishable from prey.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Origin:
Developed in Germany during the 1800s as a versatile hunting companion, excelling in both pointing and retrieving game birds across varied terrain types.
Special Considerations
West Highland White Terrier
Regular grooming is essential for their double coat. They need consistent training to manage terrier stubbornness and require proper socialization to prevent small animal chasing.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Needs extensive daily exercise, regular grooming despite short coat, and monitoring for breed-specific health issues like hip dysplasia.