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Portuguesedog breedsvary widely in appearance , temperament , and purpose . But these breed all can trace their roots back to Portugal . live in a country pendant on factory farm and maritime bodily process , Lusitanian dog breeds tend to be built for a life history outdoors — on land or in piss . Large shepherd , hunting dogs , and watchdogs are in the bulk among Portugal ’s aboriginal cuspid , but there are smaller companion dogs as well .
Here are 10 Portuguese cad breeds to know .
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Tip
Some Portuguese dog stock are easy to recover in the United States , but others are uncommon to play . If you ’re concerned in one of the rarer breed , bet for a breed - specific rescue or a reputable breeder . Just be mindful it might take some time for you to find the pure whelp .
Portuguese Water Dog
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One of the most democratic Lusitanian pawl breeds , the Portuguese water bounder originated in the coastal neighborhood of Portugal but travel far and spacious aboard ship and fishing boats . Portuguese water hotdog are natural athletes and have a special affinity for water . Their uniquely dense pelage helps them to stay warm even when wet . The stock ’s muscular body-build also was authoritative , as they were often used to remember lost fishing appurtenance from the sea , to transport content from ship to shore , or even to rescue a individual overboard .
Breed Overview
radical : crop
Height:20 to 23 inches ( male ) ; 17 to 21 inches ( distaff )
Weight:42 to 60 pounds ( male ) ; 35 to 50 Ezra Pound ( female )
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Coat and colouration : Wavy or tightly curled coat ; can come in black , black and white , or brown ; color may also be bloodless or silver - tip
life history Expectancy:11 to 13 year
Portuguese Podengo
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The Lusitanian Podengo is the internal firedog of Portugal . These sighthounds have been used for centuries in Portugal to hunt . Even today , the strain is for the most part still an active pack hunter in its homeland . As a result , you may expect to find an energetic and combat-ready associate in a Podengo . However , the turgid variety is known to be more laid - back than its smaller vis-a-vis .
Group : Miscellaneous stratum
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Height:22 to 28 inches ( great ) ; 16 to 22 inches ( medium )
Weight:44 to 66 quid ( large ) ; 35 to 44 pounds ( medium )
Coat and Color : Black , sensationalistic , fawn , grizzly , or chestnut coat ; can be smooth or wiry
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Life Expectancy:10 to 12 years
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
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The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno , or PPP for short , is but the smallest salmagundi of the Podengo breed . However , the American Kennel Club recognizes it as its own breed . These little dogs route aboard ship from Portugal to the Americas , acting as rodent exterminators . To this day they are cognise to be potent rabbit Hunter . Despite their small sizing , they take a lot of exercise .
Group : dog
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Height:8 to 12 column inch
Weight:9 to 13 pounds
Coat and Color : Can come in many color and may have lily-white markings ; two coat varieties : quiet , short , impenetrable coat or long , rough , telegram coat
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life history Expectancy:12 to 15 years
Portuguese Pointer
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The Portuguese pointer , also called the Perdigueiro Portugues , is a centuries - former hunt dog that excels in birds and small game . With ancestors trust to have come to Portugal in the 12th century , these dogs found their first occupation in the region as hunt companions in the sport of falconry . Later , they became aversatile hunterthat was marked by a industrious employment ethic and stiff affection for their manager .
grouping : Foundation Stock Service
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Height:20.5 to 22 inches
Weight:35 to 59 pounds
Coat and vividness : curt , uncouth coat ; add up in yellow or red with or without white markings
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Life Expectancy:14 years
Estrela Mountain Dog
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One of Portugal ’s old aboriginal heel breed is the Estrela mountain dog . Its exact origin is unsettled , but what we do know is these dog played an integral role in guarding the livestock and farms in Portugal ’s mountainous northerly region . A thick pelage save the breed lovesome in the mellow superlative climate . Estrela mountain dogs are a redoubtable adversary for any wildlife or trespasser . At the same time , these dogs have a docile nature with their family .
Height:24.5 to 29 inches
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Weight:77 to 132 pounds
Coat and Color : Dense coat ; comes in brindle , dun , gray , or yellow with white markings ; black case mask
Life Expectancy:10 to 14 years
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Portuguese Sheepdog
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The Lusitanian sheepdog is know for being springy and truehearted . There is no certainty as to the beginning of this Lusitanian dog breed . But the most commonly accepted theory is that Briards ( French herding dogs ) were crossbreed with other herding breeds in the arena , such as the Pyrenean sheepman and Catalan sheepdog . Today , these dogs are most often see asfamily associate . They have an gymnastic figure and a playful nature , even earning the nickname " monkey bounder " in Portugal .
Height:16.5 to 21.5 inches
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Weight:37.5 to 59 pounds
Coat and Color : Long , shaggy coat that can fall in several colors ; beard , mustache , and brow are distinctive facial hair
Life Expectancy:12 to 13 yr
Alentejo Mastiff
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The largest Portuguese wiener breed is the Alentejo mastiff , also known as the Portuguese mastiff or Rafeiro do Alentejo . These dogs have farsighted limbs and sturdy bodies . With a calm but insomniac nature , they were developed to protect ruck and land settlement in Portugal . They ’re quick to defend anyone or anything they find a sense of guardianship over . It ’s interesting to note that centuries of nighttime watch obligation seem to have made this dog spawn prone to being active at night .
Group : Foundation Service Stock
Height:25 to 29 column inch
Coat and colour : Short coat may be black , brindle , fawn , yellow , or gray ; can have white-hot markings
Life Expectancy:12 to 14 years
Portuguese Cattle Dog
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The Portuguese cattle hot dog is screw by more than one name . You might also hear this stock referred to as Cão de Castro Laboreiro ( which imply " dog of Castro Laboreiro " in Portuguese ) . But its most telling name might be " Lusitanian watchdog . " These dogs were bred to watch over ruck of stock . They are uncompromising and courageous enough to put up up to even fierce predators like wolves . This Portuguese domestic dog breed stay on relatively rarefied outside of the region surrounding Castro Laboreiro .
Group : N / A
Height:20 to 24 inches
Weight:55 to 90 pound
Coat and colouring material : Short , coarse , thick coating ; shaggy-coated quarter ; coating colour let in gray and brown
Saint Miguel Cattle Dog
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This Portuguese dog breed originated in the Azores Islands . Considered to be an excellent cattleherding dog , it ’s medium in size but stalwart . Saint Miguel cows weenie are an active and athletic breed . display decision and a natural disposition to hold , they are also very intelligent and highly obedient . This makes them trainable for a variety of purposes .
Height:18 to 23 inches
Weight:44 to 66 Ezra Pound
Coat and Color : Short , coarse coat ; may be solid with white marking or brindle
Life Expectancy:15 years
Barbado da Terceira
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The Barbado da Terceira herald from the Lusitanian island of Terceira . It come from various herding and ward click in and around Portugal . The stock did n’t get in in mainland Portugal until the end of the twentieth century , and it was tell apart as a breed there in 2004 . These dogs are quite athletic and well-informed , and they prosper on human contact lens . They respond well to training but do n’t like to be left alone .
Height:19 to 21 inches ( distaff ) ; 20.5 to 22 in ( male )
Weight:46 to 57 pounds ( female person ) ; 55 to 60 pounds ( male )
Coat and Color : shaggy-haired coat ; can fare in black , fawn , gray , or yellow with white marking
