DATASHEET

• Group: 5 - Spitz and Primitive dogs

• Group section: 7 - Primitive type hunting dogs

• Varieties: Large, Medium, Small, Smooth hair, Bristly hair

• Country of origin: Portugal

• Date of origin: Unknown (One of the theories points to the 8th century)

• First use: Large: larger hunting | Medium: harvest / hare hunting | Small: hunting for mice

• Approximate weight: Large: 20-30 Kg | Medium: 16-20 Kg | Small: 4-6 Kg

• Approximate height: Large: 55-70 cm | Medium: 39-54 cm | Small: 20-31 cm

• Colors: Yellow | Fawn | Yellow and white | Fawn and white

• Average life expectancy: 14 years

The oldest Portuguese breed is also one of the oldest breeds in the world. The Pharaoh Hound, the best known and most popular descendant of the Egyptian Greyhound (the dog of the pharaohs), is one of the main ancestors of the Portuguese Podengo. In the 8th century BC, the Phoenician merchants who now spread across the Mediterranean brought the Pharaoh Hound to southern Europe. Later, with the Arab invasions in the Iberian Peninsula, which started in the 8th century, the Pharaoh Hound that evolved autonomously in this territory was crossed with other dogs, they too, most likely, descendants of the original Pharaoh Hound, giving rise to a breed that it would already be very similar to the Podengo that we know today.

At the time of the Christian reconquest, in the year 1199, under the reign of D. Sancho I, the first written reference known to “rabbit hunting dogs” is made, that is, to the Portuguese Podengos. Since then, several written documents have reported the use of Podengos in real hunts, although it is important to note that their popularity is due to the commoners, who also resorted to their hunting skills. This common intervention contributed to the development of different varieties of hair and size of Podengo: smooth; bristly; small; medium; it's big.

The hair varieties were dictated by the type of climate, with the smooth hair being more common in the north of Portugal, since it allows it to dry more quickly in a region with greater precipitation, and the bristle hair more common in the south of the country. , since this type of coat better protects the skin from the intense sun that is felt in that region.

With regard to size varieties, these are the result of an adaptation to the types of land and prey. Thus, Podengo Grande is designed for large game and flat terrain, with deer and wild boar as the main prey. This is the only Portuguese breed developed for this purpose. Podengo Médio acts in more rugged terrain, chasing, killing and even delivering the piece, almost always the rabbit, to the hunter. Finally, the Podengo Pequeno serves to enter the dens and expel the rabbits (a bit like Terriers), also serving to hunt rats, a very important function at the time of the Discoveries, since they kept the supplies on the boats safe.

Podengo Grande gave rise to the smallest varieties, through a miniaturization process. However, several cynologists argue that the different varieties of Podengos have different origins. Some of these point to the small Iberian wolf as the ascendant of the Small and Medium Podengo.

Any of the Podengo varieties works in packs and, often, they act together, assuming their particular functions and achieving better results. Given their size, which makes them suitable for living in an apartment, and the large number of rabbit hunters, the medium and small varieties have become the most popular. In fact, the Podengo Pequeno has been a city dog ​​for at least three centuries, having been represented in the paintings of the poor of Seville, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 17th century Spanish painter.

Portuguese expansionism led Podengo to reach the four corners of the world, being, most likely, at the origin of other breeds developed in the meantime.

Intelligence and courage are characteristics shared by the three types of Podengos, all of which are excellent companion animals. Very close to their family, they have a good relationship with children, especially the smallest variety.

Podengos need a lot of attention, especially the smallest, since, like any other breed, they suffer a lot from loneliness.

Being relatively easy dogs to train, they are very active and their keen senses can lead them to be distracted and to follow a trail obstinately, or, given their hunting instinct, to chase small animals, dangerously moving away from them. home. For these reasons, care should be taken during tours. This does not mean that physical exercise should not be provided, on the contrary. The Podengos ...

This rustic dog is quite healthy, as it has not been subjected to the numerous crossbreeding that marked the development of many other breeds. With a very low incidence of hereditary diseases, the problem that may eventually affect you most is ligament rupture.

Any of the varieties of coat that Podengo has (smooth or bristly) has no undercoat (or double coat), which substantially reduces the amount of loose hair scattered around the house, making Podengos an excellent choice for anyone who is allergic to fur. Being easy to maintain, the coat needs only occasional brushing.

CHARACTERISTICS

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