Portuguese Pointer

The Portuguese Pointer — the Perdigueiro Português — is an ancient Iberian gundog bred to find and point partridge, affectionate and close-working.

History

It is one of the older pointing breeds, kept in Portugal for centuries to hunt partridge and other game birds, working close to the gun rather than ranging wide. It is thought to stand behind several other pointing breeds.

Temperament

The breed is known for being affectionate, biddable and keen — a friendly, people-oriented dog at home and a willing, methodical worker in the field. It bonds closely and enjoys company.

Care and training

It needs plenty of exercise and enjoys work for its nose, and it takes readily to gentle, reward-based training. The short coat is easy to keep.

Health

The breed is generally healthy; noted tendencies include hip dysplasia and ear infections from the drop ears. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.