Burgos Pointer

Appearance

With a sturdy, well-built body and strong limbs, the Burgos is a formidable dog. There is a noble demeanor to go along with their steady and purposeful walk. They have a modest stop and a broad muzzle that is slightly shorter than their broad skull. They must have a large, dark brown nose. Their eyes should be dark hazel and almond-shaped and have a hazel-brown hue.

Long, pendulous ears hang from the side of their face in a "corkscrew" shape. Dewlaps of skin that begin at the top of their neck and extend all the way down are called their "double chin." Its square shape includes a broad chest, round ribs, and a level back. It also features a slanted croup.

They've got a slight tuck in their midsection. Tail docking is common because of the dog's purpose.

Coat type and color

For the Burgos Pointer, a white and liver-colored coat is standard. Many dogs have a white patch on their face. The breed standard forbids the color black. The coat is short, slick, and laid flat to the skin.

Temperament

Burgos Pointers breed is known for their gentle demeanor and bravery. It's not a dog that works well in urban areas.

For the majority of its history, the breed was primarily used for deer hunting. As a pointer and retriever for small, fast games like hare, quail, and partridge, the breed has become more popular.

Given its keen sense of smell, it's pretty close to a scenthound. Despite its smaller stature, it is a nimble and agile dog capable of quickly traversing rough, hilly terrain and negotiating steep slopes.

As with other gun dogs, this breed is extremely obedient when raised by a firm but calm, confident, and consistent pack leader who gives them plenty of mental and physical exercise and establishes house rules that are strictly enforced.

Care guide

Like all dog breeds, the Burgos Pointer has the potential to become a great family pet. However, their owners need to take proper care of them and provide these dogs with everything a good pet needs. Here are the most important aspects of Burgos Pointer care.

Grooming

The short coat of this breed can be cleaned with a cloth or mitt once a week to remove dander or mud and distribute their natural oils all over their coat. These dogs don't need to be bathed very often. If you don't clean their ears regularly, they'll become infected and need to be taken to the vet.

The teeth of a Burgos need to be cleaned regularly, just like those of any other dog. Make sure you're brushing your dog's teeth regularly to avoid serious dental issues.

Make sure to use dog-specific products. Nails on most dogs will naturally wear down, but you should clip them if they become too long.

Training

The Burgos Pointer breed is no exception regarding the need for proper training. Their stamina and willingness to work are impressive, and they can be trained to a high standard. They are capable of pointing, flushing, tracking, and retrieving a wide variety of prey with little to no training.

The quality of their work demonstrates their ability to think independently.

In training, these dogs are eager to please their owners, so they are keen to do the right thing and obey tasks when they can. In Burgos training, consistency and fairness are the keys to a successful relationship between trainer and dog.

Exercise needs

The Burgos Pointer is one of the most demanding dogs in the world exercise-wise. Because of their exceptional stamina, if they aren't being trained for hunting, it may be challenging to keep up with their exercise needs. Taking on this breed without providing them with opportunities to hunt or do similar work, such as scent trailing, would be a mistake. They should be able to spend time freely outside, where they often feel most at ease.

Take extreme caution when walking your Burgos Pointer off-leash in an open area such as a park. They're likely to follow their noses in search of prey, like birds and squirrels. Once they get a whiff of an interesting scent, it's impossible to get them to stop following it. As a water lover, this breed should be given the opportunity to swim in rivers, lakes, or a dog-friendly indoor pool.

Socialization

All dog breeds need socialization, especially dogs that have hunting in their blood. The Burgos is a hunting breed, which means the process of socialization should start immediately. From the moment your Burgos puppy arrives at your home, make sure you start introducing them to various sights, sounds, and situations.

Many dog owners don't know that socialization can begin from the moment the puppy arrives home. Once the puppy is fully vaccinated and your vet gives you the green light, you can start introducing your pup to other dogs. Socialization can be done in dog parks, busy streets, shopping centers, and anywhere your puppy can be introduced to new things. The more socialized the puppy is, the better the adult dog they'll become.

Burgos Pointers and kids

The good news is that Burgos Pointers are fantastic family pets. They usually get along great with children. Plus, they are energetic enough, so these dogs don't have a problem keeping up with the toddler's pace of play. Nevertheless, you should never leave your kids and your dog unsupervised.

Ensure your kids are old enough before you entrust them with caring for the dog on their own.

Burgos Pointers and other pets

The Burgos Pointer might be a family pet these days, but you should never forget what they were bred for. These dogs are hunters, and their instincts might quickly surface when they encounter smaller animals they can see as prey. If you are absolutely adamant about getting one of these dogs and already have other pets in your home, you should carefully introduce them while your dog is still a puppy.

They will get along great with other dogs if they are properly socialized.

Health

This hard-working dog has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. All dog breeds can potentially develop health issues, and the Burgos Pointer is no different. Luckily, there aren't many genetic issues Burgos owners should worry about. Nevertheless, these dogs are prone to some health issues. Here are the conditions you should keep an eye on;

• Hip dysplasia - Most Burgos Pointers are healthy but can be prone to hip dysplasia. It is the improper development of the hip joint that causes lameness in the dog's hind legs.
• Ear infections - Ear infections are more common in dogs with floppy ears. In addition, the Burgos Pointer enjoys water, which means that if their ear canals aren't properly dried, yeast and bacteria will flourish.
• Hunting-related injuries - Compared to dogs who spend their days inside and are mostly indoor pets, hunting dogs are far more likely to suffer injuries. They are prone to muscle sprains and strains, as well as cuts and lacerations.

Breeders

Once you have decided this is the right breed for you and your family, it is time to start looking for Burgos Pointer breeders. However, you should know that most of them are located in their native country of Spain. Getting one of these dogs to the US could be a problem.

Nevertheless, you should still look for a reputable Burgois Pointer breeder for one simple reason - health. Great breeders produce great dogs, and that's what's most important. Make sure you provide your Burgos puppy with the best possible start in their life.

World Dog Finder team

The Burgos Pointer, also known as the Spanish Pointer or the Perdiguero de Burgos, is a large and robust Spanish dog breed. Originally from the heart of Spain, this breed dates back to the 1500s. The Pachón Navarro (a pointer) and the Sabueso Espanol (a scenting dog) are widely accepted as the breed's primary ancestors. Over the years, the Burgos Pointer is believed to have played a role in the creation of a variety of European pointing dogs.

For a dog that hunts, the Burgos Pointer is best suited to a rural lifestyle. The Burgos Pointer was a heavier and larger dog, but it selectively bred to become more agile, making it better at tracking smaller game. Though traditionally used to hunt deer, today, this breed is also employed to take down birds, rabbits, and even foxes in the wild.

They don't mind getting their paws wet, and they'll follow their prey no matter where they find it, in water or on land. Their versatility in hunting and retrieving makes them a sought-after companion in the field.

The breed was accepted into the Gun Dog Group by the UKC in 1996. The FCI recognized them in their Continental Pointing Dog Section in the same year. These dogs came close to extinction, but in recent years, they've seen a resurgence in Spain, where they're still used for their original purpose.