Portuguese Pointer

Dog breed · Portugal

Overview

The Portuguese Pointing Dog or Perdigueiro Português is a Portuguese breed of pointer dog. It is one of several pointing breeds and is mainly used in red-legged partridge hunting.

Temperament

Characteristics: The Perdiguero is of medium size: height at the withers is in the range 54–60 cm (21–24 in) for dogs and 50–56 cm (20–22 in) for bitches; body weights are in the ranges 20–[dose — ask your vet] (44–60 lb) and 16–[dose — ask your vet] (35–49 lb) respectively.

The coat is without undercoat; it is short, close and coarse on most parts of the dog, thinner around the natural openings and thinner and softer on the ears and head. It is yellow, ranging from light to dark, with or without white markings on the head and neck, the chest, the lower legs and the tip of the tail.

Appearance

Characteristics: The Perdiguero is of medium size: height at the withers is in the range 54–60 cm (21–24 in) for dogs and 50–56 cm (20–22 in) for bitches; body weights are in the ranges 20–[dose — ask your vet] (44–60 lb) and 16–[dose — ask your vet] (35–49 lb) respectively.

The coat is without undercoat; it is short, close and coarse on most parts of the dog, thinner around the natural openings and thinner and softer on the ears and head. It is yellow, ranging from light to dark, with or without white markings on the head and neck, the chest, the lower legs and the tip of the tail.

History

History: The first breed standard for the Perdiguero was drawn up in 1939. The breed was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1955. In 2006 there were 1805 bitches registered in the stud-book.

Every pet is one of a kind. This guide covers what's typical for the breed, but your own dog or cat will have their own personality, quirks and needs — think of it as a friendly starting point, not the final word. Whenever you'd like advice tailored to your companion, the team at OC Pets is always happy to help.
Sources (reused under open licences, with thanks): Wikipedia — “Portuguese Pointer” (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikidata (CC0) · image (CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) · Compiled by OC Pets Veterinary Clinic, updated 15-06-2026.