Page 36 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | PRIMITIVE DOGS

Portuguese Podengo WIREHAIRED

PEQUENO
HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN White, yellow
Pequeno: 8–12in (20–30cm) Pequeno: 9–11lb (4–5kg) Over 12 years Black
Medio: 16–21in (40–54cm) Medio: 35–44lb (16–20kg) White dogs have patches of yellow, black,
Grande: 22–28in (55–70cm) Grande: 44–66lb (20–30kg) or fawn. Pequeno dogs may be brown.

An all-purpose hunter that makes an entertaining companion
SUITABLY SIZED
given sufficient mental and physical activity
Bred primarily to hunt hare and rabbit, the
Portuguese Podengo is a primitive sight hound.
The national dog of Portugal, the to control vermin during the voyages. On
It was bred in three sizes so it could work in any
Portuguese Podengo is said to have originated reaching new lands, the dogs were put back type of terrain. The Grande dog was developed
from dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula to their usual work. However, as podengo in south central Portugal to hunt in open areas
by the Phoenicians over 2,000 years ago. is a general Portuguese term that refers to where speed is important. The Medio, being a
Today there are three different varieties: any prick-eared hound, these early exports smaller and more maneuverable dog, was found
farther north where there is more cover for game.
small (Pequeno), medium (Medio), and large were probably very different from the breed
The smallest, the Pequeno, hunts in very dense
(Grande). Smooth-haired Podengos are more recognized today. undergrowth that would be too difficult for
commonly found in the north of the country The modern Portuguese Podengo, and larger dogs to work in effectively.
where the climate is damp, since their in particular the Pequeno variety, is rapidly
quick-drying coat is suited to wet weather. growing in popularity as a companion dog,
Wirehaired types are more commonly found having been imported to both the UK and
in the drier south. All varieties were the US. In contrast, the Podengo Grande has
traditionally bred for hunting, and in become increasingly rare since the 1970s,
Portugal some are still used for that purpose. although efforts are being made to increase
The Portuguese, being seafaring people, its numbers again. Regardless of size, the
were among the first Europeans to Podengo’s intelligence and alertness make
explore and colonize the it an excellent watchdog.
Americas in the 15th and 16th
centuries, laying claim to parts
of Canada and Brazil. It is said White blaze
on face
that the ships used for these
explorations carried Podengos, Large, triangular,
erect ears
a useful asset because they helped

Fawn with Short
white markings coat

Fawn

Strong
hindquarters

SMOOTH-HAIRED MEDIO SMOOTH-HAIRED PEQUENO

Rounded feet with
well arched toes