The FCI standard for the Burgos Pointing Dog (Perdiguero de Burgos) contains an unusual sentence about the expression: it conveys gentleness and nobility and can sometimes look melancholy. The large, triangular ears hang with a twist the text compares to a corkscrew. Behind that face is a hunting dog valued by Spanish hunters for robustness and obedience, according to the standard.
| FCI | Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.1 Continental Pointing Dogs, Braque type, Standard No. 90, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Spain |
| Size (height at the withers) | males 62 to 67 cm, females 59 to 64 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | dense, medium-textured, short and smooth, evenly covering even between the toes; finer on head, ears and legs |
| Colours in the standard | white and liver irregularly mixed (marbled, greyish or liver-flecked), also with liver patches or smaller white patches; ears always solid liver; black and red tan markings never allowed |
Calm in the field, steady on point
The standard describes a robust, balanced, calm and composed dog, with docility and intelligence. They search methodically rather than frantically, point steadily and retrieve reliably. They are used mainly for small game and game birds, but according to the standard also show great courage on large game. At home, such a dog is usually pleasantly composed, provided there is enough to do outdoors.
What is certain about the origins
Little, at least in the standard: it names Spain as the country of origin and has no historical section. The FCI definitively recognised the breed in 1954; the current Spanish original dates from 1982. A notable point concerns the size difference between sexes: males are more uniform, while females vary in size and are usually lighter. Another pointer from the Iberian Peninsula is the Portuguese Pointing Dog.
The tail and animal welfare law
According to the standard, the tail is shortened to between one third and half its length. German animal welfare law generally prohibits amputations, allowing exceptions for dogs only in individual cases, for example dogs intended for hunting where the procedure is essential to that use and veterinarians have no concerns (§ 6). A family dog without a hunting role does not qualify.
Health: little research
The large UK longevity study lists the Burgos Pointing Dog but did not analyse it (McMillan et al. 2024). We found no breed-specific disease studies. The standard itself pays attention to eyes: the lower eyelid should fit as closely as possible to the eyeball; very pronounced entropion or ectropion is a serious fault. Ask the breeder for the parents’ eye examinations and hip X-rays.
Short hair, large ears
The short, dense coat needs little: use a rubber grooming mitt once a week and rub dry after wet days. More attention goes to the large drop ears, which need regular checking, and the hanging lips and dewlap, where food collects.
Who will be happy with this dog
Hunters seeking a composed pointer and people in the countryside with time for daily searching and scent work. Similarly versatile at work is the German Short-haired Pointer.
When to decline
If the dog would live mainly indoors, long days in the field are unfamiliar to you or you have no task challenging that nose.
The breed quiz helps you assess whether a rare hunting dog like this suits you; our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) offers more depth. For puppyhood, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. The white-and-liver coat translates well into digital artwork; find more formats among our dog portraits from your own photo.
Further reading
- Weimaraner: the beautiful hunting dog who never clocks off
- Leaving your dog alone: how they learn without drama, step by step
- Is my dog overweight? How to assess body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 90 Perdiguero de Burgos (Perdiguero von Burgos) (fci.be, German version dated 09.11.1998, valid original standard published on 26.05.1982); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed listed but not analysed); Tierschutzgesetz § 6 (gesetze-im-internet.de).
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