White Hunter - Perdigueiro Portugues

White Hunter e-mail: dogoargentino@onet.eu

Perdigueiro Portugues - Portuguese Pointing Dog

The Portuguese Pointing Dog originates from the Iberian Peninsula, descending from the old Peninsular Pointing Dog, a common ancestor to other pointing dogs. It evolved by adapting to the climate, terrain and game and from the selection imposed by the socio-cultural specificity of the Portuguese, who have been breeding it for centuries for hunting purposes. The breed conserved the morphological and functional traits similar to those existing nowadays.Its existence in Portugal can be traced back to at least the 12^th century. In the 14th century it was known as the “podengo de mostra”, already showing the capacity for pointing game. It was bred in the royal and nobility kennels and used in falconry. In the 16^th century, already named “perdigueiro” (from “perdiz” the common Portuguese name for partridge), it was frequently used by commoners. The definition of the current traits and dissemination by a group of breeders and hunters began in the first quarter of the 20th century.