Portuguese Pointer (Perdigueiro Portugueso)

Portuguese Pointer adult
Manso De Arganil
"Tom"

An extremely rare and ancient breed, the Portuguese Pointer, as his name suggests, hails from Portugal. In that country, his name, the Perdigueiro Portugueso, comes from the word "perdigon", the Portuguese word for "partridge". Sometimes known as the Portuguese Partridge Dog, the Pointer is so popular with hunters that he has earned the nickname "the National." This well-established breed has a long and proud history. Always bred for his hunting abilities, today's Portuguese Pointer is descended from the dogs used by Portuguese falconers in the fifth and sixth centuries. In fact, it is widely believed that this is the last representative of the ancient hawking dog of the Iberian Peninsula.

These dogs appear in the paintings of King Afonso III of Portugal during the 13th century, and in the 14th century, the Portuguese Pointer was described in a book about hunting by the learned Portuguese King Joao I. The Portuguese Pointer was taken to England and used in the development of the English Pointer.

The square-shaped Portuguese Pointer stands up to 23 1/2 inches tall at the shoulder. His coat is short, dense, and somewhat coarse to the touch (although his drop ears are velvety soft). The coat comes in any shade of yellow or brown. There may be white markings on his neck, throat, muzzle, abdomen, and lower legs. His tail is docked.

Noted for his devotion and loyalty, the Portuguese Pointer has such an affectionate disposition that it is described as "sometimes inappropriate and inconvenient" in the standard of his home country! However embarrassing this in-your-face, lovable canine might be when he is showering you with adoration, he excels in the field as he lives to share the hunt with his master. His strong hunting instincts become apparent as early as two or three months of age. The Portuguese Pointer puppy often starts pointing and retrieving sticks with no formal training.

An active breed with exceptional stamina, the Portuguese Pointer is tenacious when hunting and has the endurance to cover all types of terrain in all types of weather. He needs regular exercise. As with all other breeds, he should begin obedience training and socialization at an early age to develop good manners.

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