PuppyBase

Bull Terrier vs German Longhaired Pointer

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Bull Terrier vs German Longhaired Pointer

You’re not going to find these two dogs at the same dog park hangout. The Bull Terrier and German Longhaired Pointer look vaguely similar. sleek, medium to large, built with purpose. but that’s where the overlap ends. People compare them because they’re both active, not overly fluffy, and stand around the same height. But choosing between them is really choosing between a full-time personality and a full-time job partner. The Bull Terrier is the class clown with a PhD in chaos. He’s charming, yes, but he’s also stubborn, mischievous, and will test you daily. If you’ve never handled a strong-willed terrier, you’ll be in over your head. He bonds fiercely with his family and adores attention, but he’s not great with small animals and can be iffy with young kids. he doesn’t mean harm, he just doesn’t know his strength or how to self-regulate. He needs mental puzzles, training challenges, and a yard to zoom around. But even then, he’ll find ways to entertain himself, often by dismantling your favorite shoe. The German Longhaired Pointer is cut from a different cloth. Bred to work all day in the field, he’s calm at home but comes alive outdoors. He’s eager to please, highly trainable, and genuinely gentle with kids. this is the dog who’ll let a toddler pull his tail and just walk away. But he needs space and purpose. Apartment life? Don’t even think about it. Without regular exercise and mental engagement, he’ll turn into a bored, destructive mess. Here’s the real difference: The Bull Terrier wants to be your co-conspirator. The German Longhaired Pointer wants to be your partner. Pick the first if you want a dog with a huge personality and don’t mind the drama. Pick the second if you want a loyal, capable companion who thrives on teamwork. And if you’re honest with yourself, one of those probably just sounded like a much better fit.

Bull Terrier
German Longhaired Pointer
21–22 in
Height
22–28 in
50–70 lb
Weight
55–80 lb
12–13 yr
Lifespan
12–14 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.2–3.0k
#62
AKC popularity

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Bull Terrier German Longhaired Pointer
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Other Dogs
German Longhaired Pointer is better with other dogs (3-point difference)
German
Good with Young Children
German Longhaired Pointer is better with kids (2-point difference)
German
Trainability
German Longhaired Pointer is easier to train (2-point difference)
German
Coat Grooming
German Longhaired Pointer needs less grooming (1-point difference)
German
Drooling Level
Bull Terrier drools less (1-point difference)
Bull
The verdict

Choose the Bull Terrier if…

  • Active individuals
  • Experienced dog owners
  • Families with older children
  • You value coat groomingBull Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the German Longhaired Pointer if…

  • Hunters
  • Active families
  • Rural living
  • You value good with other dogsGerman Longhaired Pointer scores higher here.
Bull Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bull Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
German Longhaired Pointer Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your German Longhaired Pointer home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run