Burgos Pointing Dog
Sporting Dog / FCI Group 7 · Purebred · Spain's ancient versatile hunting pointer with a striking liver and white coat and outstanding scenting ability
55–77 lbsWeight
23–26 inHeight
12–14 yrsLifespan
HighEnergy
Sporting Dog / FCI Group 7 · Purebred · Spain's ancient versatile hunting pointer with a striking liver and white coat and outstanding scenting ability
The Burgos Pointer (Perdiguero de Burgos) is a Spanish pointing breed from the province of Burgos in northern Spain. One of the oldest Iberian gundogs, it has been used for centuries to point and retrieve game — traditionally partridge and hare — across the varied Spanish countryside.
Medium-large and solidly built, it wears a short liver-and-white coat, often heavily ticked, and carries the long ears and calm expression typical of the continental pointers. Valued for its steady temperament and versatility in the field, it works methodically and tirelessly. It is recognized by the FCI in Group 7 (Pointing Dogs).
Real Burgos Pointing Dog photos — showcasing their unique appearance and character.
Calm, gentle, and even-tempered, the Burgos Pointer is a steady worker in the field and an easygoing companion at home. It bonds closely with its family, is friendly with people and other dogs, and is notably composed for a sporting breed. Its balanced nature makes it a pleasant house dog, provided its exercise needs are met.
An endurance hunting breed, it needs well over an hour of vigorous daily exercise, ideally with room to range and work. Long walks, running, and fieldwork keep it fit and satisfied, and it especially enjoys using its nose. Without sufficient activity it can become restless, so it suits active or rural homes best.
The short coat is very easy to maintain with a weekly brush and occasional bath. As a long-eared breed, its ears need regular checking and cleaning to prevent infections, and nails should be trimmed to suit its active lifestyle. Overall grooming demands are minimal.
Intelligent, willing, and calm, the Burgos Pointer is generally straightforward to train using patient, consistent, reward-based methods. It has real hunting talent and takes well to gundog work, while its steady temperament makes obedience training pleasant. Early socialization rounds out a confident, well-mannered dog.
A generally healthy, hardy breed with a lifespan of around 12–14 years. As a large, deep-chested, drop-eared gundog, the main concerns are hip dysplasia, ear infections, and a risk of bloat/gastric torsion. Hip-screened parents, clean dry ears, and measured meals help keep the breed sound and long-lived.
The Burgos Pointer does best on a good-quality complete dog food matched to its age, size, and activity level. As a rough guide, a typical adult eats about 2½–3¾ cups of dry food per day, split into two meals — but a hard-working or very active dog needs more, while a couch companion needs less. Use a large-breed formula and avoid heavy exercise right after meals to reduce the risk of bloat.
Puppies: 3 meals a day of a puppy formula to fuel growth.
Active adults: around 2½–3¾ cups daily, in two meals, adjusted to keep a trim waistline.
Seniors (7+ yrs): slightly fewer calories and, if needed, a joint-supporting formula as they slow down.
Never feed chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener found in some gums and peanut butters), macadamia nuts, or cooked bones. Keep treats to no more than about 10% of daily calories so they don't crowd out balanced nutrition or lead to weight gain.
Where puppies are available, a Burgos Pointer from a responsible breeder typically costs around $1,000–$2,500, with rarer bloodlines and imported dogs sitting at the higher end. Rescue or adoption, where possible, is far less — usually a few hundred dollars in fees.
Food, treats & preventatives, routine care and supplies together usually run about $110–$200 per month for a healthy adult, not counting emergencies or boarding.
Over a full lifetime the total cost of ownership generally lands around $18,000–$28,000, including the purchase price. Pet insurance ($15–$45/month) and a small emergency fund are smart ways to cushion against unexpected veterinary bills.