MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION
A medium sized dog (48-60 cm), well proportioned and solidly built, which demonstrates vitality and lightness of movements. The hair is short and flat, the colour chamois yellow, lighter, medium or darker, plain or with white spots in the front, chest, neck, feet and tail. The head is in good proportion with the rest of the body, the lines of the skull (60%) and the face (40%) converging, it looks strong and square when faced. The stop is well marked, at an angle of 90 - 100 degrees. Ears are triangular, flat and set high on the skull, but worn hanging, medium sized and with a rounded tip.
The large, horizontal eyes, preferably dark, have a vivid and intelligent look. The muquous membranes must be well pigmented. The nostrils should be broad, black and well opened, forming a perfect rectangle with the nose notch, which should be horizontal, broad and straight, whereas the upper lip should be hanging, but not to low, showing a square profile and round corners, with slightly pleated lips. The neck is round and straight attached to the head at a 90 degrees angle. The back line should be straight and slightly higher in front than in the back, the body short and broad as well as the chest, giving the dog its characteristic compact look. Rounded feet and a open shoulder (120º), as well as a long and muscled thigh with not too short hamstring, are typical. The tail was usually cut, hiding the genitals, but according European conventions, nowadays perdigueiros have long tail, which must be no longer than hamstring.
Function and Behaviour
The Perdigueiro is an excellent dog to point, very affectionate and intelligent, a natural hunter who searches the game methodically, with pleasure and passion, at a moderate gallop or a light trot, adapting easily to any type of soil and climate. Very enduring, obedient and tenacious, the dog keeps constantly in contact with the master, that he does not loose out of sight. His highly developed nose permits the dog to take the wind, head high up in the air, to detect the game at a considerable distance, but also to follow carefully a track, adapting to the various situations to make the best of the emanations. As soon as the game as been detected and approached, the dog stops: head motionless pointing to the game, eyes fixed and ears on alert, the tail horizontal or slightly raised, all muscles under tension, indifferent to anything around him.
He brings to hand gracefully, by instinct, careful and persistent on earth as in the water, and delivers the game to the master without destroying it.
PERDIGUEIRO THE EXCELLENT CHILDREN'S PARTNER
Because Perdigueiro is very affectionate and intelligent he can be trained easily and became a good home partner for children.