Information
Working Standard for the Portuguese Pointer
English translation for the working standard
Translated by Joao Simoes Antunes September 3, 2003 from the Standard below
The Portuguese pointer is a tenacious and passionate hunter, that works a field methodically and with intensity. The Portuguese Pointer goes about his work with persistence using it's ability to adapt to varied terrain and cover as well as climate conditions. It's normal movement in which it approaches it's work is either at a gallop or at a quick trot. All the while keeping in constant contact with the Hunter / handler. The Portuguese Pointer conveys to the hunter / handler it's emotions based on its attitude mannerisms. Also by the position of it's tail and ears and all this is a representation of the Portuguese Pointer's olfactory capabilities.
While searching, it's typical movement is a gallop which at times is altered into a quick trot searching large expanses of terrain but always adjusting it's range in order to stay in contact with the hunter / handler. Endowed with an acute sense of smell it usually hunts with head high or even with the top line of the torso, but can,at times, follow ground scent with detail and accuracy.
The tail is carried level with the body and wags side to side almost as if keeping cadence with the movement of the dog.
When it winds scent, it gradually slows down either from a gallop to a trot or from a trot to a cautious walk and in the direction of the bird. Ears will be erect and attentive and tail will slow down in movement until its olfactory senses detect enough scent to bring it to a solid point. After a time if the scent is weakening it will slowly and cautiously reposition sometimes with some short points until it leads the hunter to the bird and eventually pins it. The tail should be maintained level with the top line of the torso or slightly higher.
The Portuguese Pointer retrieves instinctively with ease and with a soft mouth in or out of water.
Working Standard for the Portuguese Pointer in Portuguese
PROPOSTA A.P.P. DE ACTUALIZAÇÃO DO ESTALÃO DE TRABALHO
PERDIGUEIRO PORTUGUES S
Proposta - A.P.P.(1992) de actualização do Estalão de Trabalho da raça Perdigueiro Português após parecer do Conselho Técnico do C.P.C. que aguarda aprovação pelo Clube Português de Canicultura:
STANDARD F. C. I. N.º.........
ORIGEM: Portugal.
DATA DA 1.ª PUBLICAÇÃO do Estalão de Trabalho Oficial: 1988.
1.ª revisão (actual): 1992.
UTILIZAÇÃO: Cao de Caça.
CLASSIFICAÇÃO F. C. I.: 7.º Grupo (Cães de Parar)
c/ Provas de Trabalho.
ESTALÃO DE TRABALHO
0 perdigueiro português é um cão robusto, inteligente e muito adaptável, que tira partido dessas características com grande eficácia nos diferentes terrenos, climas e tipos de caça.
Trabalha activamente com alegria, tenacidade e paixão, buscando de ventos, cabeça alta ou no prolongamento da linha superior do dorso, mas pode seguir o rasto com algum detalhe e minúcia adaptando-se às variadas situações e trabalhando as emanações com persistência e habilidade, de forma cuidada e peculiar.
Cão polivalente e com um instinto de caça que o caracteriza, alterna o galope de suspensão simples e o trote largo, fácil, cadenciado, mantendo uma constante ligação com o caçador e revelando-lhe pelas suas atitudes, posição da cauda e ainda pela forma como anda, as impressões sentidas pela grande acuidade olfactiva de que é possuidor. A cauda movimenta-se lateralmente, levada na horizontal, como que marcando o ritmo.
Desde que detectada a emanação da caça, diminui gradualmente o andamento, encaminhando-se na direcção da mesma, orelha atenta e cauda em movimentos mais rápidos. Tratando-se de falso alarme, retoma imediatamente a busca no andamento inicial, mas se se apercebe que a peça está próxima diminui o andamento, orientando-se. Desliza espontaneamente e logo que a intensidade de emanações o aconselha, pára firme: cabeça imóvel apontando na direcção da peça, olhar fixo, orelhas em posição de escuta, um membro em geral flectido, cauda hirta mantida na horizontal ou pouco acima, músculos sob tensão, indiferente ao que se passa em seu redor.
Quando parado, mal se dá conta que a peça se deslocou apeada, retoma o deslizamento espontâneo em andamento lento e cauteloso, eventualmente entrecortado por curtas paragens, guiando o caçador e tentando pará-la de novo.
Realiza o cobro instintivamente com habilidade e persistência em terra ou na água, entregando a peça com facilidade e sem a danificar.
Lisboa, 16/10/1992
Welcome to thePortuguese Pointer History. The Portuguese Pointer is known in its native land of Portugal as the Perdigueiro Portugues . The exact translation is the Portuguese Partridge Dog. It acquired this name from it's utilization through the centuries of being used in the Iberian Peninsula for hunting the native bird called Perdiz. Here in the US it is called the chuckar or Hungarian Red Legged Partridge. The Perdigueiro has gained such a following in Portugal that it is often referred to as the NATIONAL. Things were not always so. The Perdigueiro went through some rough times when foreign breeds became popular amongst Portuguese hunters who thought that if it was foreign it must be better. Thankfully many have come to their senses years ago and the National now enjoys a strong following in it's native land.
Evidence has been found that dates the existance of the Portuguese Pointer in Portugal as far back as the 9th century or visigoth era. This carving, found while remodeling an old church in the city of Tomar, has been dated to that era, and as a result has now been preserved.
As to the Portuguese pointer's history in the USA, there have been many rumors about dogs that were brought to the US prior to 1995. One such rumor was told to John Antunes while at the doctor's office with his daughter. A gentleman overheard them talking about their dogs and said he knew them well since he was a child. He described the dogs perfectly, and told the story of how his father was a chauffeur for the then president of the Remington Arms company. His father's employer kept a few Portuguese Pointers for his private hunting. He went on to tell of how when he had guests for hunting he would have the Portuguese Pointers hidden from sight and would only hunt with pointers or setters for his business customers. This would have dated them back to the 1930's in the USA. But as things go there is no solid proof of this, only a memory, and there are no pictures so substantiate his story.
The first Portuguese Pointers to be registered in the USA were brought over by John Simoes Antunes in 1995. The dogs were purchased from Arganil Kennels located near the city of Lousa, Portugal. These dogs were registered with the United Kennel Club.
Manso de Arganil and Nancy de Arganil, will forever have the honor of being the first dogs to be registered in the USA and as a result of that being the foundation of the breed in the USA. Nancy de Arganil was also the first Portuguese Pointer to be finished as a show champion in the USA thanks to the hard work of Susan Corrone of Whipporwill Kennels.
Nancy de Arganil pictured above with Mrs. Susan Corrone presenting the day she finished as a American Rare Breed Association Champion. Pictured from left to right front row - Stephanie Simoes, Anna Maria Antunes, Susan Corrone showing Nancy de Arganil. Back row John Anthony Antunes, Bridget Antunes, Nancy de Arganil's owner John Simoes Antunes, and Ceu Simoes.
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