Dog
Portuguese Pointer Champions
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Pronunciation:
pawr-chuh-geez poin-ter
Breed Description:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is a medium sized breed that should be athletic and sturdy. It should have a muscular build without seeming too muscular or course and it should have the look of a dog with great stamina. The body is usually longer than they are tall with a level top line and a long tail that is commonly docked. The head is blocky in shape with a muzzle that is described as "dish shaped". The breed should have long ears that hang down the side of the head.
The coat of the Portugues Pointer is short and should cover the dog completely. It should be very dense and it should have a rough texture to it. The colors of Portuguese Pointer can be solid chestnut, solid yellow, chestnut and white or yellow and white. If they have white, they should have what is known as an Irish pattern, which is the color on most of their body and white on the chest, blaze on the head, feet, belly and legs.
Temperament:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is an intelligent and affectionate breed that is versatile and playful. This is a wonderful family dog that loves children and really fits themselves into their owners life. They are usually considered to be stoic and serious but the breed can be very playful with their owners and family. They are usually eager to please and are usually very easy to train. They can be a bit of a "velcro" breed but with proper training and guidance, the Portuguese Pointer can be fairly independent and a wonderful companion.
Height:
The average height for a Portuguese Pointer is between 20 to 22 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for a Portuguese Pointer is between 35 to 48 pounds for a female and 44 to 56 pounds for a male.
Health Problems:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is a very hardy breed, however, one condition is seen in this breed occasionally and that is albinism.
Living Conditions:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is not recommended for apartments. This is an active breed that needs plenty of space to run around in so a home with a large, fenced yard is best for this breed. It is important to remember that the Portuguese Rabbit dog does have a high prey drive so they need a fenced yard since they will run after neighborhood animals. The breed does well as an outdoor dog but it is important to provide them with adequate shelter from the elements.
Exercise:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is a very energetic breed of dog and will need about 60 minutes of exercise each day to stay healthy and happy. It is important to note that the breed will become very destructive if they are bored so exercise is very important.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 14 years
Grooming:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month.
Origin:
The Portuguese Pointer breed of dog is considered to be a very old breed that may even be traced back to as early as the 1100s in Portugal. It is unclear how the breed was developed but it is believed that the Portuguese Pointer was developed by crossing the Segugio Hounds with teh Assyrian Mastiff. The result was a versatile hunting and pointing breed. The breed remained fairly unknown outside of Portugal, however, the breed was eventually imported into England in the early 1700s. Once in England, it is believed that the Portuguese Pointer contributed to the development of the English Pointer. The breed has remained rare to this day but their ability as a hunting dog has seen a small increase in their popularity. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
