Dog breed comparison
Labrador Retriever vs German Shorthaired Pointer
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home. The Labrador Retriever is the bigger breed, about 5 kg heavier on average. The German Shorthaired Pointer tends to live about 3 years longer.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Labrador Retriever | German Shorthaired Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Sporting Dogs | Sporting Dogs |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Height | 21 to 24 inches | 21 inches to 25 inch |
| Weight | 55 to 80 pounds | 45 to 70 pounds |
| Life span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Labrador Retriever
Descended from the St John's water dog of Newfoundland, which helped fishermen haul nets and retrieve fish. English aristocrats such as the Earls of Malmesbury refined it into a gundog in the 1800s.
Many Labradors carry a POMC gene variant linked to constant hunger, so portion control matters.
Health to watch
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Obesity
- Exercise-induced collapse
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Ear infections
The German Shorthaired Pointer
Developed in Germany in the 1800s as an all-purpose gundog that could point, track and retrieve on land and from water. It has won the Westminster dog show and is a top field-trial breed.
It needs more exercise than most families expect, often two hours a day.
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Lymphoedema
- Cone degeneration
- Cancer
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Shedding
The Labrador Retriever sheds more than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Friendly with strangers
The Labrador Retriever is friendlier with strangers than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Good with other dogs
The Labrador Retriever gets on better with other dogs than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Barking
The Labrador Retriever barks more than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
First-time owners
The Labrador Retriever suits first-time owners better than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Copes alone
The Labrador Retriever copes better when left alone than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Which to choose
Labrador Retriever or German Shorthaired Pointer?
Choose the Labrador Retriever if…
- You have lots of visitors (it is friendlier with strangers)
- You want a dog that gets on better with other dogs
- You want a dog that suits first-time owners better
- You want a dog that copes better when left alone
Choose the German Shorthaired Pointer if…
- You want a dog that sheds less
- You want a more watchful dog (it is more reserved with strangers)
- You want a dog that barks less
- You want a dog that drools less
Questions.
Is the Labrador Retriever or the German Shorthaired Pointer bigger, and which lives longer?
The Labrador Retriever is the bigger breed, about 5 kg heavier on average. The German Shorthaired Pointer tends to live about 3 years longer. Individual pets vary, so meet the parents or the pet where you can.
Which is easier to train, the Labrador Retriever or the German Shorthaired Pointer?
They’re similarly easy to train. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Labrador Retriever or the German Shorthaired Pointer?
Both are usually good with children when well socialised. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
The German Shorthaired Pointer sheds less than the Labrador Retriever. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Labrador Retriever and German Shorthaired Pointer have?
The Labrador Retriever is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, exercise-induced collapse. The German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, lymphoedema. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
