As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). Association members are strongly recommended to ensure their dog – be it a Podengo or any other breed – is socialised and trained from an early age.The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient multi-sensory (sight and scent) hound breed of dog from Portugal. The Podengo Pequeno is trained well with positive techniques but should be kept on leash all of the time during training as they can be quite wilful. They enjoy running and sunshine and must have a secure enclosed fence. Like their Medio relatives, they are very watchful and observant and will bark when something gets their attention. They are very active and usually good with children and other animals when socialized from an early age. Podengo Pequeno are small, friendly, hardy, lively and intelligent companions. Click here for the official UK Kennel Club Breed Standard. The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is characterized by a wedge shaped head, with erect ears and a curved tail. The Grande is now very rare in its home country. It will exhaust and hold down the prey to await the hunter's gun. The Grande (large) was developed for deer and wild boar hunting. Its hunting style includes catlike stalking and, similar to the Ibizan Hound, it often jumps above the prey before landing on or near it to flush it out of dense brush, rock crevices or burrows. The Medio (medium) was developed for rabbit chasing, flushing, hunting and retrieval. It is also a good mouser and was probably kept on board explorer ships when the Portuguese initiated the European worldwide explorations in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Pequeno accompanied Portuguese explorers on their ships for ratting purposes after the Portuguese completed the reconquest of their country from the Moors in the 13th century.

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno (small) was developed for flushing rabbits from cover. In both the United States and the UK, the Portuguese Podengo is classified in the Hound Group. The FCI breed standard, which originates in Portugal, governs all types and varieties of the Portuguese Podengo. In Europe, the Podengo is classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as Group 5: Spitz and primitive type, Section 7: Primitive type hunting dogs. The Podengo Pequeno now has its own breed classes at Championship Shows and Open Shows and was shown at Crufts for the first time in 2009. The Podengo Pequeno was transferred from the Import Register into the Breed Register on Januat the Kennel Club. The Podengo Pequeno was recognized by the Kennel Club in 2003 and the Breed Standard was approved on January 1, 2006. Pequeno – rabbits Medio - rabbits and wild boar Grande - deer and wild boar. Each size category traditionally hunts game appropriate to their size and temperament, e.g. When game is found, they kill and retrieve it or flush it towards the hunter to be shot. Typically, the dogs hunt in a pack with their handler following. In general, the breed is healthy: the Pequeno variety has an average lifespan of approximately 14–16 years.Ī keen hunting dog, the Podengo has an affinity for game regardless of size. The smooth coated variety is traditional, dating back to the 5th century, whereas the wire coated variety is an outcome of the assimilation of various other breeds during the 20th century. Their coats are either short and 'smooth' or longer and 'wired'. slightly wilful) dog behaviour.Īs a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). They are amenable to training by dog-experienced people and those that enjoy primitive (i.e. They are typically hardy, intelligent and lively dogs and are loyal and fearless, making excellent companions. The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient, multi-sensory (sight and scent) hound that originally came from Portugal.

Wire coat portuguese podengo pequeno