One area in which there is plenty of diversity is in the dog breeds of Portugal.
Portugal has mountains, plains and a coastline. They need different types of dogs to work in each area.
The most popular breed in Portugal is the Portuguese Podengo known as the Portuguese Warren Dog.
The Podengo is the National Dog of Portugal and is featured as the logo of the Portuguese Kennel Club.
The Podengo comes in three sizes and two coat types, so there's something to please everyone.
The pequeno or small size comes in a smooth or wire haired coat.
The Podengo Pequeno is used for hunting rabbits. They grow to about 11 pounds.
The medium size or Podengo Medio is used for hunting rabbits and wild boar.
They also come in both coat types and they can reach 45 pounds.
The Podengo Grande or large size hunts deer and wild boar.
The Grande size gets to be about 65 pounds.
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In the south central region a large dog is needed to guard livestock.
Rafeiro do Alentejo or the Portuguese Mastiff fits the bill.
The Mastiff weighs in around 100 pounds and has a short to medium length coat. He is a sober breed, independent and territorial.
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The Cao da Serra de Aires or the Portuguese Sheepdog is a medium sized dog weighing about 40 pounds. His coat is long with no undercoat.
This breed was used to herd cattle, sheep, goats, horses and even pigs.
The Sheepdog is an intelligent and very lively breed. I see a strong resemblance to my own breed in this dog and think there were probably some common ancestors.
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The Perdigueiro Portugues or Portuguese Pointer is used for hunting, especially partridge.
His coat is short and he weighs in around 60 pounds for adult males. This breed almost became extinct until a few breeders worked together to bring it back.
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In the mountainous areas, a large athletic dog was needed to guard the flocks and to act as a watch dog. The Cao da Serra da Estrela is perfect.
This large (110pound) dog also known as the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Shepherd has two coat types. The long or short coats are both thick with a dense undercoat.
This is an intelligent, calm but fearless dog and an instinctive protector of it's family.
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Portugal's southernmost region, the Algarve, has a rocky coastline.
This is the area where the Cao de Agua Portugues, or Portuguese Water Dog worked alongside the fishermen on the boats. The dog is designed for swimming with a strong bone structure, is well muscled and has webbed feet.
This breed was used to pull nets, herd fish, retrieve objects that fell overboard, rescue people who fell overboard and to carry messages between boats and from boats to shore and back. They are strong swimmers.
The Portuguese Water Dog weighs between 50 and 65 pounds, though individuals may be larger or smaller. Their coats may be curly or wavy and there is no undercoat.
The Portie may be black, black and white, brown, brown and white or all white. All white dogs are not acceptable in Portugal or other parts of Europe.
In the USA the Portie is often seen in a short retriever cut, one length all over. In Europe only the lion cut, with shaved hind quarters is accepted.
This breed came close to extinction in the 1970's. Only 27 dogs were known to be in existence at that time. The breed has made an extraordinary comeback and is now perhaps the best know Portuguese breed worldwide.
The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent and tireless breed. They are decision makers, though you may not always agree with their decisions and they need to keep busy. They are extremely loyal and the happiest dogs I've ever known. They seldom have a bad day. I adore this breed.
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