Portuguese Pointer
A sturdy, yellow Portuguese pointing dog with a square head and kind eyes, very affectionate and close-working.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 56–60 cm · Females 52–56 cm
- Weight
- Males 20–27 kg · Females 16–22 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Yellow, White
- Bred for
- Pointing, Retrieving
- Country of origin
- Portugal
- FCI
- Group 7, no. 187 · Pointing dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a close, affectionate companion
- live in a warm climate
- enjoy hunting or scent sports
Think twice if you …
- are often away from home
- want a dog that is outgoing with strangers
- keep birds
Care
Temperament
Affectionate, loyal and devoted; can be reserved or watchful with strangers. Steady and close-working in the field.
Exercise
Needs one to two hours a day, with time to run and search. Field work, scent games and hiking suit it.
Grooming
The short coat needs a weekly brush. Check ears regularly.
Training
Keen to please and responsive to positive, consistent training.
Health
A healthy, hardy breed overall; hip dysplasia is the main known concern. Ask the breeder for hip and elbow results of the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Portuguese Pointer descends from old Iberian pointing dogs used for centuries to hunt partridge. By the early 20th century it had become rare, and breeders in northern Portugal rebuilt it in the 1920s and 1930s from the remaining traditional dogs.
It is a compact, muscular dog that works close to the hunter and forms a strong bond with its family. It is affectionate, often a little clingy, and somewhat reserved with strangers. It copes well with heat and needs regular exercise, but it is usually calm at home.
Did you know?
Its Portuguese name, Perdigueiro Português, means "Portuguese partridge dog".