Discover Everything About Perdigueiro Português
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Perdigueiro Português overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Perdigueiro Português is a robust working dog; however, there are no official mandatory health tests registered in our database for this breed. Prospective buyers should therefore actively request documentation regarding hip dysplasia (HD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) to avoid unnecessary risks. Overall, the breed has a low genetic disease burden, yet it still requires careful selection of the parent dogs.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
50–58 cm
Weight
16–27 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, smooth, dense
- Origin: Portugal
Typical coat colors
- White with yellowish or orange spots
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Perdigueiro Português, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Perdigueiro Português right for you?
The Perdigueiro Português is an extremely affectionate, sensitive Vorstehhund (pointing dog) — bred for persistent hunting of upland game, where he works closely, tirelessly, and almost symbiotically with his human.
Perfect for you if:
- You enjoy real scent work, dummy training, or tracking — a simple walk won't tire out this pointing dog's brain; he needs active cooperation with you.
- You are looking for a sensitive dog and can lead him with a quiet voice, patience, and plenty of positive reinforcement.
- You want a constant companion in everyday life who prefers to stick to you like a burr at home and follows you into every room.
- You live in a rural or nature-oriented area and can offer him regular, safe off-leash time to let him stretch his legs in his characteristic sweeping gallop.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to trot calmly by your side when a partridge takes flight or birds flutter by — he has been selected for centuries to locate game at lightning speed and point motionless.
- You have to leave him alone for several hours on weekdays, as his extreme human-centeredness makes him highly prone to genuine separation anxiety.
- You are looking for a dog that easily brushes off training mistakes — harsh words or unfair pressure will cause this sensitive character to emotionally shut down immediately.
The real vibes check
A Perdigueiro Português is a focused athlete outdoors, scanning the terrain — and a soft pillow indoors, who would prefer to physically crawl inside you. You aren't getting an independent hunter, but a highly sensitive shadow whose greatest joy and simultaneous challenge is his absolute, unwavering dependence on your proximity.
Breed Profile
The Perdigueiro Portugu"s, also known as the Portuguese Pointer, is a medium-sized dog breed known for its work ethic and versatility as a hunting dog. Its body is harmonious and well proportioned, giving it remarkable agility and endurance. Its tail is medium long, very thick at the base and is carried hanging when at rest. The eyes are medium sized, oval and honey to brown in color, giving it a particularly warm and friendly expression. His ears are a distinctive feature: they are medium-length, thin, and hang flat on the sides of his head. The Perdigueiro Portugu"s belongs to FCI Group 7, which includes the pointing dogs. This group includes dogs that are traditionally used in hunting to track game by determining the position of the game through their sense of smell and then "pointing forward" in a specific pose to indicate the position of the game to the hunter.
| Height | 50 - 54 cm (Female), 54 - 58 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 16 - 22 kg (Female), 20 - 27 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Friendly, energetic, obedient |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense |
| Coat Color | White with yellowish or orange spots |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Perdigueiro Portuguese breed has a long history and is probably one of the oldest pointers in Europe. However, the exact origin of the breed is not entirely clear. It is believed to have evolved from ancient Spanish dogs that were introduced and developed in Portugal. The Perdigueiro Portugu"s is a very old breed and there are depictions that suggest that similar dogs existed in Portugal as early as the 12th century. The breed was subsequently used mainly by the rural population for hunting. The breed was officially recognized by the FCI in 1938. Since then, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s has been bred in its homeland and also in some other European countries and used as a hunting dog. In recent decades, however, more and more attention has been drawn to its qualities as a family dog and companion dog.
The Perdigueiro Português was used as a pointing dog for hunting birds.
Portugal
1400
Character & Temperament
The Perdigueiro Portugu"s is known for his friendly and outgoing nature. He is very people-oriented and loves spending time with his family. He is gentle and patient ig, making him a great companion dog for families with children. Although he is very friendly and social, he is also independent and can enjoy having his own time. As a hunting dog, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s has high energy levels and needs adequate exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis. He loves being outside and will take any opportunity to run and play. His temperament is rather calm and even-tempered, meaning that he is usually not overly active indoors as long as he gets enough exercise. Despite his calm nature, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s is also an alert dog, very aware of his surroundings. He will definitely notice when something is wrong and can be a good watchdog. However, he is not prone to being aggressive and is usually friendly and outgoing towards strangers. The Perdigueiro Portugu"s has a strong hunting instinct and can enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals. It is important that this instinct is controlled through training and socialization from an early age to ensure that he can remain in safe environments and does not run after every animal he sees. However, despite his hunting instinct, he can get along well with other pets if socialized properly. Like many hunting dogs, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s can sometimes be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. However, he is also intelligent and willing to learn and can quickly learn new commands and tricks. It is important that training is positive and reward-oriented to maintain his motivation and encourage his enthusiasm. Because the Perdigueiro Portugu"s enjoys being around people, he can find it difficult to be left alone for long periods of time. If you plan to leave your dog alone for several hours on a regular basis, you will probably need to teach him how to keep himself occupied and feel comfortable being alone. This usually requires some training and patience. Overall, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s is a versatile and lovable dog that can adapt well to different lifestyles. With proper socialization and training, he can be a wonderful companion dog and a loyal friend. He is a great choice for active people looking for a dog that can excel both in the field and at home.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Perdigueiro Portugu"s is a very old breed and probably goes back to dogs that were already used by the Romans for hunting? By the way, its name "Perdigueiro" means "chicken hunter" in Portuguese!
What Awaits You
The Perdigueiro Português is an intelligent and hardworking pointing dog from Portugal. It is characterized by its endurance and strong hunting instinct. These dogs are very eager to learn and are well suited for active families or hunting tasks. With the right training, they are loyal and reliable companions.
Housing & Care
The Perdigueiro Portugu"s is an active and energetic dog that can do well in both urban and rural environments, provided it receives adequate exercise and mental stimulation. It is well suited to families with children and, if properly socialized, can also get along well with other pets. However, it has a strong prey instinct, so it is important that it is kept in safe environments and is not allowed to roam freely where it might prey on birds and small animals.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog. | Excellent with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation. | Manageable in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
As a hunting dog, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s is intelligent, eager to learn and eager to work. He benefits from consistent and positive training and requires appropriate mental and physical exercise. It is important that he is socialized early and regularly in order to raise a balanced and well-adjusted dog. As a working dog, he can do well in various dog sports such as agility, obedience, mantrailing or dummy training. His hunting instinct should be channeled through appropriate activities and games to reduce frustration and Avoiding unwanted behavior Impulse control and frustration tolerance training is important in this breed to promote a well-adjusted and balanced dog.
Nutrition & Care
The Perdigueiro Portugu"s needs a balanced diet tailored to his age, weight, activity level and health status. A diet that contains high quality proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and an appropriate amount of carbohydrates is ideal for this active breed. It is important to monitor the amount of food and schedule regular veterinary visits for weight control to avoid becoming overweight, which can lead to health problems. In terms of coat care, the Perdigueiro Portugu"s is relatively easy to care for. Its coat is short and smooth and ha kind of moderate. A weekly brushing is usually enough to keep his coat clean and healthy. He has no undercoat and can cope well with the German climate, both in the warm summer months and winter, although he may require a coat in the colder months if he spends long periods outside.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Perdigueiro Português is a robust working dog; however, there are no official mandatory health tests registered in our database for this breed. Prospective buyers should therefore actively request documentation regarding hip dysplasia (HD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) to avoid unnecessary risks. Overall, the breed has a low genetic disease burden, yet it still requires careful selection of the parent dogs.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
Pay attention to a healthy weight and joint-friendly rearing to protect your active dog's musculoskeletal system in the long term.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, and eyes checked and monitor for potential risks of thyroid or autoimmune diseases in the lineage.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Perdigueiro Português
Is a Perdigueiro Português the right dog for me?
The Perdigueiro Português is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Perdigueiro Português live?
The average life expectancy of a Perdigueiro Português is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Perdigueiro Português need?
Perdigueiro Português grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Perdigueiro Português good for families with children?
The Perdigueiro Português can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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