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The Portuguese pointer is considered a medium-sized dog. As a sport dog, he has considerable energy, especially when young. Their affectionate nature is so intense that Portuguese standards sometimes describe it as “inappropriate and inconvenient”. This breed is very hardy and is capable of great stamina and devotion. Calm and very sociable, they can be somewhat hateful towards other dogs. Curious by nature, they work with tenacity and vigor and are always a keen hunter who is in close contact with their handlers.
The Portuguese indicator originated in the Iberian Peninsula. Its existence in Portugal can be traced back to the 12th century. It was originally designed to be used in hawk in royal eunuchs and is still used by hawk in Portugal today. In the 16th century, the term came to be known as Perdissiro, which derives from the Portuguese word “Pardes” from “Neveras”. During the 18th century, many English families in the wine production business established a presence in the region of Oporto and came to know the Portuguese hunting breed, which was later taken to England where they played a role in the origins of the English pointer. However, during the 19th century, when Portugal was experiencing considerable social difficulties, the breed began a progressive decline. It was not until 1920 that some breeders attempted to revive the breed by locating some of the ancient Portuguese dogs in the inaccessible north of Portugal. The Portuguese genealogy book was established in 1932 and the breed standard in 1938. Today, at least a thousand years later, the breed still retains many of the same metamorphic and functional traits as its ancestors.
The Portuguese Pointer is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog with a distinctive “”square”” face, drop ears, and a tail that hangs down when a dog is standing and back or slightly up when the dog is walking it happens. The body of the Portuguese Pointer is almost square. The Portuguese Pointer should be rated as a working gun dog and exaggerations or defects should be punished in proportion to how much they interfere with a dog’s ability to work.
The Portuguese Pointer has a strong hunting instinct. In the field, the Portuguese pointer is a tenacious hunter in all types of terrain and climates. The dog’s affectionate nature is so intense that the Portuguese Standard describes it as “”…sometimes embarrassing””. However, this devotion makes the Portuguese rejoice in the field as no dog is more pleased to share the prey with its owner.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time’
Portuguese pointers require minimal grooming due to their short, tight coats, but they all enjoy a good brushing with rubber curry-type brushes anyway, which also helps remove dead hair. In general, their hard coat is good at removing dirt, so there is no need to bathe frequently. Regular attention to nails, teeth and ears is expected.
Portuguese Pointer is an extremely kind and dedicated sports dog. They are very smart and quite easy to train. Due to their very affectionate nature, they can be considered “soft” dogs, often requiring a more gentle approach to training.
The Portuguese pointer is a sporting dog and as such, he enjoys running and hunting, whether he is pointing to butterflies in the backyard or walking on a hike. As they still maintain a very strong hunting instinct, off-lead, safe exercise is the key to a happy dog mentally and physically. Young dogs have considerable energy, especially males, but the breed very well lives at peace as a house dog as long as they are allowed daily outdoor exercise.
Portuguese pointer should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared with the supervision and approval of your veterinarian. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times
Portuguese pointers are usually a very strong, healthy breed. There are no health problems specific to the breed, although care must be taken to ensure that breeding dogs and their relatives are free of known health problems, including seizures, hip dysplasia, and early-onset cancer or autoimmune diseases.
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