Portuguese dogs are for the most part easy to train, obedient and intelligent. Their use for hunting or herding has maintained and improved the Portuguese dog breeds over the centuries.
We can't talk about the dog breeds of Portugal without mentioning the Estrela Moutain Dog. It is one of the most famous Portuguese dog breeds in the country. It is a large dog breed, with a long and dense coat resembling the one of a sheep - after all, it is a dog bred mainly for herding activities in the Serra da Estrela, the most popular mountain range in the country.
These dogs bred to guard livestock are said to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the Iberian Peninsula, very intelligent and loyal. It is a guard, surveillance and hunting dog, known for its characteristic apathy towards humans. Legend has it that in Visigothic times, Estrela Mountain Dogs accompanied men and their cattle to defend both the shepherd and the cattle from wolves and other predators. It is in this context that the Serra da Estrela Dog developed its independent attitude and strong character, which is considered by some as something positive, since it is not a "needy" dog or one that requires a lot of social attention. Aesthetically, the long and shiny coat of this mountain dog requires regular brushing, but when it is well done, it turns the animal into a beautiful and imposing specimen.
The Serra da Estrela dog can measure between 62 and 72 cm and weigh between 30 and 50 kg. It is not adapted to living in an apartment, but rather to large spaces. Its average life expectancy is 12 years and its coat is mainly brown, with possible mixtures of gray, fawn and yellow. This breed of dog is the faithful companion of the Portuguese shepherd, both for the protection of the flock and for the protection of his properties. It is, in all its splendor, the figure of greatness before its faithful and reliable owners. Fortunately, thanks to centuries of development through natural selection, the Serra da Estrela dog has become a breed not very prone to serious health problems, having, as a large dog, a tendency to suffer from some of the pathologies such as dysplasia of the hip, torsion of the stomach and dilated cardiomyopathy.
The cão de gado transmontano is the largest Portuguese dog breed. It is a sheepdog originating from the northeast of Portugal, from the Trás-os-Montes region, a very mountainous area. This breed is the result of the crossing of a multitude of Iberian Mastiff breeds.
The role of this dog is mainly to ensure the safety of sheep and goats against their main predator: the Iberian wolf. This wolf, which used to be present in the whole country, is nowadays only visible in the north of Portugal.
The Transmontano Mastiff can measure between 68 and 85 cm and weigh between 50 and 75 kg. It is a dog that needs a lot of space and freedom to be able to flourish.
The Alentejano Mastiff is mainly used as a shepherd dog, it is the guardian of the Alentejo plains and serves to protect the flocks from Iberian wolves and potential thieves.
In Portugal, during the warm seasons, the ancestors of the Rafeiros Alentejanos migrated with their herds from the plains of the Alentejo to the mountains in the north of the country. They went to the Douro to find fresh grass and did the opposite during the cold seasons. Nowadays, they are sedentary due to the evolution of the livestock sector.
The Castro Laboreiro dog comes from the extreme north of Portugal, from the village of the same name in the Peneda mountain range (Peneda - Gerês National Park)
To accompany their cattle, the inhabitants of this small village developed a dog less powerful than other Portuguese mountain dogs but much more agile, and able to climb hills. It is no less courageous and will be ready to face the Iberian wolf in case of attack.
It is the best known dog breed from Portugal, thanks in part to the publicity given by Bo and Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dogs that walked the halls of the White House and accompanied Barack Obama during his years as President of the United States of America.
The Portuguese Water Dog is native of the Algarve region (southern Portugal). As its name indicates, it is in the water that it feels best, and that it has developed its characteristics. Its origin is relatively unknown, with reports of this breed dating back to 1297. In that year, a monk wrote a text in which he reported the rescue of a sailor by a dog with a "long black coat, shorn to the first rib, and with a tuft at the end of the tail". A description that corresponds perfectly to the physical appearance of Portuguese water dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs have always been - and still are - the faithful companions of Portuguese fishermen, living alongside them on the boats, accompanying them in the difficult sea journeys in search of food. These dogs are therefore fervent followers of the water, but as fishing strategies have become increasingly sophisticated and modern, their use on fishing boats has become obsolete, resulting in a sharp decline in the number of specimens of this breed. In fact, the number of Portuguese Water Dogs has decreased so much that in 1981 it was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the rarest dog breed in the world. However, thanks to breeding and a better adaptation of this dog to the domestic environment, the breed has endured and, once again, thanks to the publicity surrounding the adoption of Bo and Sunny by the Obama family, the Portuguese Water Dog has enjoyed a new lease of life in recent decades.
This breed of dog is not recommended for apartments, being animals that prefer the outdoors, large spaces to run and walk. The males have an ideal height of 54 cm, and the females measure about 46 cm. In terms of weight, males weigh between 19 and 25 kg and females between 16 and 22 kg.
The coat is typically long and wavy, but there are also specimens with a short and curly coat. Regarding colors, the coat is usually a mixture of black and/or brown and white, and can be totally black or brown.
Among the Portuguese dog breeds, there is one that the Greeks and Trojans particularly like. This is the Portuguese Podengo, a dog breed that comes in a wide variety of sizes, colors and shapes. Mainly used for hunting and known for its "playful" and very social attitude, this breed of dog is one of the most popular among Portuguese dog breeds. Its origin spans several centuries, with records showing that the Phoenicians and Romans brought these dogs to the Iberian Peninsula in classical antiquity. Soon, and with the mixing with primitive hunting dogs brought by North African soldiers in the 8th century, the breed was mixed and modified.
Over the years, the Podengo has evolved, adapting to both the climate of the country and the different uses that have been made of it. This is why this breed comes in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. In fact, to be more precise, the Portuguese Podengo exists in three different sizes: small, medium and large, since the small variety appeared, according to some specialists, to serve as a ratter in the caravels of the Portuguese navy, from the 15th century. In addition, an important detail also separates the small and medium Podengos from their larger brothers: the two "smaller" versions of the Podengo were used to hunt rabbits, as their small size allowed them to search for the animal in holes and other places where it could hide. The large Podengo is used to hunt big game, especially wild boar. However, this variant of the Podengo is less common.
Because of its hunting ability, the Podengo is a very active dog, known for its energetic personality and strong social side. It is not a dog for people with little time or patience to take an interest in the animal. It is found throughout the country, from north to south, with differences marking the varieties of Podengo depending on the region. In the North, for example, Podengos tend to have a smoother coat that allows them to dry more quickly, while in the drier regions of the country, mainly in the South, the Podengo has a bristly coat that protects it from the cold in winter as well as the sun.
Besides being excellent hunting and protection dogs, they are also perfect companions, adapting easily to family life. It is difficult to define weight and size limits in this breed, as its varieties are very different from each other, but it is estimated that the Podengo can measure between 20 and 70 centimeters in height, and weigh between 4 and 20 kg. Its coat is usually colored in all shades of yellow to tan, lighter or darker, and may or may not have white spots or other colors.
When talking about Portuguese dogs bred for hunting, there is a name that cannot be forgotten: the Portuguese Pointer. This breed of dog and hunting are like one and only thing. The one does not go without the other. Its name comes from the fact that it was bred to hunt partridges ("perdiz" in Portuguese).
There are traces that document this breed in the 10th century, it even appears on a Visigothic-Mozarabic tombstone in the church of S. João Baptista in Tomar. Like other breeds of dogs, the Perdigueiro has evolved, adapting to the climate and the type of hunting for which it was used. For example, since the fourteenth century, this breed acquired a status in the royal kennels, with a great aptitude for hunting big game. In the 18th century, with the arrival of English merchants who settled in Porto to produce and export Port wine, the Portuguese Perdigueiro traveled to Her Majesty's country, where it played an important role in the origin of the English Pointer.
The Perdigueiro, by nature, is an energetic and affectionate dog that loves its family. They are protective, sociable and devoted, and use their hunting skills to protect their owners' homes, while being social and friendly animals.
Males weigh between 20 and 27 kg and measure between 52 and 60 cm. Females weigh between 16 and 22 kg and measure between 48 and 56 cm. It is a dog that needs its space to run and spend its energy. The coat is short and soft, and can come in a variety of colors from yellow to white. The average life expectancy is 13 years. It is however a high maintenance dog, as all that energy has to be spent somewhere, so it is not recommended for an owner with little time or patience to devote to it. Moreover, this breed of dog is particularly known for its adaptability: in any terrain, in different climates and conditions, the Perdigueiro remains at the top of its hunting abilities, with a fine nose and an above-average ability to concentrate.
Unlike other Portuguese dog breeds, this southern Portuguese breed is descended from the ancient Egyptian greyhound, which originated in the time of the Pharaohs.
The Cão do Barrocal Algarvio was designed for hunting rabbits, and to adapt to any type of terrain, even the wildest!
Originally from the Alentejo, from the Serra de Aires in Monforte, this breed was developed for herding in the plains of the Alentejo and Ribatejo.
A Portuguese sheepdog that is efficient and resistant to both cold and heat.
The Cão de Fila de São Miguel was essentially bred to drive and protect cows in the Azores region, which is why it was named "cão das vacas" (cow dog) by the inhabitants of the island where it originated.
It has blood from the English Bulldog, the English Mastiff and the Dogue de Bordeaux.
Over time, in addition to its role as a shepherd, the Cão de Fila de São Miguel has also been used as a wild boar hunting dog and as a guard dog.
The Barbado da Terceira is a dog from the island of Terceira (Azores). It is a medium-sized dog perfect for herding and especially an excellent companion dog. He is easy to train, gentle and particularly loyal to his master.
It measures between 48 and 58cm and weighs between 21 and 30kg. It has a well-muscled body, covered with a long and wavy coat.
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