Portuguese Pointer

The Portuguese Pointer was bred to have great speed and superior scenting ability and versatility as an all-around gun dog. In its native Portugal it is usually used to hunt the gray partridge, as well as rabbit and waterfowl. It is very popular in Portugal and is the most registered hunting dog in that country. It is renowned as a tenacious, determined hunter that is willing to go into any type of terrain, and is unfailingly loyal and eager to please. The Portuguese Pointer is an excellent family companion and is popular as a household pet and reliable watchdog. It's nature is so affectionate that the Portuguese standard describes it as being at times "inconvenient"� and "inappropriate."� The Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized dog, standing an average 20 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder. It is of medium bone and well-muscled with a square build. The ribs are well-sprung and the chest is deep, allowing for endurance when hunting or performing other demanding exercise. It has a rather square head that is free of wrinkles with a marked stop, and large triangular drop ears. The nose and mucous membranes are pink. The Portuguese Pointer has feet that are slightly webbed, and are heavily padded. Dewclaws are generally removed. The tail of the Portuguese Pointer is usually docked to be about two thirds length, and is held erect, communicating confidence. The Portuguese Pointer's coat is yellow to a light brown. It is solid, but may have subtle white markings or ticking over feet, chest and muzzle, and a white strip on the forehead. The coat is smooth, straight, and coarse; but the hair on the muzzle and ears is velvety. The eyes of this dog are amber. It is thought that the Portuguese Pointer has little changed in appearance over the centuries. The Portuguese Pointer is descended from the ancient Iberian hunting dogs that were living on the peninsula over a thousand years ago. There is documentation of the use of the Portuguese Pointer as far back as the 12th century, in a hunting manual. The dog also appears in Portuguese paintings of the 13th century. At that time it was bred mainly as the hunting dog of nobility, but over the centuries it came to be a common hunting dog of the working class. It is one of the oldest of pointers, thought to be an ancestor of the modern Labrador Retriever and the English Pointer. This was the small game hunting dog that accompanied early Spanish and Portuguese explorers to the Americas; they were a largely seafaring people, and historians point out the enormous likelihood that they usually had these dogs with them, and the Portuguese Pointer has influenced many of the world's pointer breeds. In the early decades of the twentieth century Portugal was in a social and economic decline, and the Portuguese Pointer had nearly disappeared. In 1920 a group of fanciers scoured the country and found a few surviving pure specimens living in the isolated north of Portugal. These dogs became the foundation stock for a revival of the breed. The stud book was begun in 1932, and the breed standard written in 1938. The Portuguese Pointer was recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1996, and it has been recorded in the American Kennel Club's Stock Foundation Service since 2005. The Portuguese Pointer is an active dog, bred to endure long days of hunting. It is not suited for a small apartment, or for a quiet, inactive household. This breed requires at least one period of vigorous exercise such as a long brisk walk daily. A secure fence is essential; as a hunting breed that is strongly led by its nose, the Portuguese Pointer will be off tracking a scent before the owner realizes the dog is gone. This breed has strong instinctive guarding instincts and will bark frequently if not trained to do otherwise. The coat of the Portuguese Pointer needs minimal care: occasional brushing to remove dead hair and keep coat conditioned and skin healthy, is all that is needed. Ears should be checked frequently for signs of parasites and infection, and should be cleaned weekly. Neglect of ear health can result in permanent damage. If the dog spends time hunting out in the field, its coat and ears should be examined frequently for ticks. This breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia, and breeding stock should be tested. Being a deep-chested breed, it is also prone to bloat (GDV) which is a sudden, life-threatening emergency condition. Owners should be familiar with the signs of bloat, and should keep the dog from hard exercise for a period after eating. Epilepsy and cherry eye are also seen in this breed. The average lifespan for this dog is 12 to 17 years. The Portuguese Pointer can be very reserved with strangers and outside dogs. It is especially prone to severe separation anxiety and should not be left alone for long periods with no human interaction. The Portuguese Pointer is happiest when it has plenty of activity, whether in work or play. The prospective owner should be aware that this breed can be extremely rambunctious as a pup through the first eighteen months of its life or more. For this reason, it not only needs firm training, but is likely not suitable for very young children or for the elderly. Early, consistent and ongoing obedience work will ensure that the dog remains well-behaved and under control. The Portuguese Pointer is a thinking dog a problem-solver. Games and activities that take this trait into account will keep the dog well-occupied and content.

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