The Portuguese Pointer Shop
Portuguese Pointer Breed Summary
Affectionate, Energetic, Gentle, Lively and Alert
Portuguese Pointers are a medium sized dog, native to yeah, you guessed it, Portugal! In terms of their personalities, they are a very loving breed and are hugely eager to please their owners. It's thought that they are probably descendants of Spanish Pointers and were bred to point and mark game in hunts. They are also highly intelligent and a fast learner which means training them is relatively easy!
As a breed, they are very sociable and love nothing more than being around their hoomans. Their high energy levels also mean that they need daily walkies, playtime and exercise in order to remain fit and healthy! They also have the potential to get on well with children, so long as they are socialized from a young age.
Fun Fact: They were first introduced to England during the 18th century!
| Lifespan | 12 - 14 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 20.5in - 22in |
| Weight | Males and Females 35lb - 59lb |
| Coat | Coats are Both Short and Coarse |
| Color | White and Yellow, Yellow, Light Brown, Brown, White and Light Brown |
| Eye color | Dark Brown or Light Brown |
| Other Names | Perdigueiro Portugues, Portuguese Pointing Dog |
These dogs are known for their love of hoomans and dedication to their families. They are extremely gentle in nature and would never act out on aggression. They don't bark a lot, but when they do it's only for good reason and has the potential to scare away any unwanted strangers! These guys are also extremely energetic and so would best suit a family who already lead an active lifestyle that one of these dogs would easily be able to slot into. They need a large garden that they will be able to stretch their legs in!
In the 16th century, it became known as the perdigueiro and it got this name from the Portuguese word “perdiz” meaning “partridge.” During the 18th century, many English families in the business of wine production established a presence in the region of Oporto and came to know the Portuguese hunting breed, which were then taken to England where they played a part in the origin of the English Pointer. However, during the 19th century, when Portugal was experiencing considerable social hardships, the breed began a progressive decline.
It wasn't until the 1920's that some breeders made an effort to salvage the breed by locating some of the ancient Portuguese dogs in the north of Portugal. The Portuguese pedigree book was then established in 1932 and the breed standard in 1938. Today, after at least a thousand years, the breed still retains many of the same conformation and functional traits as its ancestors.