On the 26th of August, we celebrate World Dog Day! This special day is dedicated to our beloved four-legged friends. But did you know that Portugal has a rich canine culture worth exploring? I know that in many foreign circles, there is mostly the opinion that dogs are mistreated in Portugal. I wish I could say it isn’t so, but I can say that many Portuguese people do treat their dogs well. It’s not all doom and gloom! So, whether you’re a dog lover, a Portuguese language learner, or both, this post will give you a little taste of how Portugal celebrates its dogs and some useful vocabulary to help you expand your Portuguese skills.
The Portuguese Dog Breeds
Portugal is home to some remarkable dog breeds, each with its own history and characteristics. Here are a few of the most notable:
- Cão de Água Português (Portuguese Water Dog): This breed is known for its love of water and was traditionally used by fishermen along the coast of Portugal.
- Vocabulary: Cão (Dog), Água (Water), Pescadores (Fishermen)
- Rafeiro do Alentejo (Alentejo Mastiff): A loyal guardian of livestock, this breed hails from the Alentejo region.
- Vocabulary: Rafeiro (Mongrel, though in this context it refers to the breed), Alentejo (A region in Portugal), Gado (Livestock)
- Podengo Português (Portuguese Podengo): This ancient hunting breed is still popular in Portugal for its agility and intelligence.
- Vocabulary: Caça (Hunting), Ágil (Agile), Inteligente (Intelligent)
A Special Day for a Special Friend
O Dia Mundial do Cão is all about celebrating this impressive animal and all its wonderful characteristics, especially its lealdade (loyalty). Dogs have been beloved companions to humans since time immemorial. Moreover, this day is an opportunity to honour them and show even more affection towards our faithful friends.
The day also serves as an important reminder about the need to defend the rights of dogs and animals in general. Unfortunately, many dogs around the world are still victims of maus tratos (abuse), and many live on the streets. This problem is exacerbated by high abandonment rates, especially during the summer months. This is one of the reasons why August was chosen to celebrate International Dog Day.
Animal Mistreatment in Portugal
In Portugal, it’s important to remember that abandoning or mistreating companion animals is a crime under Articles 387 and 388 of Law No. 69/2014, of August 29th. Despite these legal protections, the issue persists, in part due to cultural attitudes that do not prioritise animal welfare. Many cases are dismissed or result in minor penalties, and activists are pushing for clearer laws and more effective enforcement to ensure better protection for all animals.
Portuguese Listening Exercise
Listen to this article in Portuguese in the video below. When you join my Patreon you’ll get access to the exclusive PDF with the text and conversational exercise for this video.
My Thoughts
This is just my 2 cents and my observation living here… I know people personally who don’t view dogs as pets. They are considered as work or farm animals. Another common attitude I see a lot is that barking dogs is a natural thing, “it’s what dogs do” and therefore many will not bother to train their dogs. Same with potty training dogs, I believe this is why you see so many stuck on verandas or balconies. And also why so many owners don’t pick up after their pets or let them roam free. I don’t agree or accept these behaviours. But I also think this will change over time.
Lastly, to those who are quick to point fingers at Portugal regarding this topic – I’ve seen these behaviours with my own eyes in Ireland and the UK as well when I was living in each country. So…sadly, it’s not a problem unique to Portugal.
Vocabulary Corner
While enjoying World Dog Day, why not brush up on some Portuguese vocabulary related to dogs? Here are some useful words and phrases:
- Amigo fiel – Faithful friend
- Trela – Lead/Leash
- Passear o cão – To walk the dog
- Ração – Dog food
- Veterinário – Veterinarian
- Adoptar – To adopt
- Ladrar – To bark
- Cachorro – Puppy
Watch the video below for the pronunciation and more vocabulary.
coming soon
Try the quizzes to solidify some of the vocabulary.
Exploring Portuguese Dog Culture
If you’re interested in learning more about Portuguese dog breeds or the unique relationship between the Portuguese and their dogs, make sure to check out Portuguese Dog Breeds. I delve into the history of breeds like the Cão de Água Português and offer more vocabulary tips to help you integrate these cultural insights into your language-learning journey.
Feliz Dia Mundial do Cão!