Portuguese podengo temperament free#

It is said that the Portuguese Podengo isn't bred to be a companion dog, being bred exclusively as a working hunting dog. He is somewhat aloof around strangers and this is actually what makes him a good watchdog. He is intelligent, he is easily trained and socialized and gets on well with children in the house if they have been disciplined to respect and be kind to animals. Being alert, he also makes a good watchdog.

This Portuguese sighthound is energetic, comical sometimes, sweet and loving. The coat is found in shades of fawn or yellow and with some white markings. The coat is essentially short and smooth though you also get the longer, wiry coat. The body of the dog is lean and well muscled and the head wedge shaped. The eyes are brown, the ears are erect and the tail long and thick, held low and with a bit of a curve when at rest. The dog is similar in looks to other hunting dogs native to the Mediterranean, such as the Pharoah Hound. He stands roughly at between 20 to 30 cm and weighs between 4.1 to 5.9 kg. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Portuguese Podengo (Small) and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.The Portuguese Podengo is available in three sizes. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. Now you know a little about the Portuguese Podengo (Small) you may have think that this is the dog for you.

Portuguese podengo temperament free#

The Podengo breed is extensively free of any genetic defects. Weight: Small 4-6 kg (9-13 lbs) (2) Health

They do best in houses with large gardens where they can frolic about at will. It is a very fast learner. Although their small size makes them suitable for small homes, townhouses or villas, they should only be housed in small living quarters if their owners are able to cater to their exercise needs daily. It requires exercise and attention and likes to play. The Podengo is friendly with children and other dogs. Loyal and fearless, Podengos are also good house guards and are amenable to training by dog experienced people and those that enjoy primitive (unrefined, 'less domesticated') dog behaviour. (2) SuitabilityĪll Podengo types are hardy, intelligent and lively dogs, excelling at agility and making fine companions. The Small Podengo is today used as a companion dog, with excellent results, thanks to his obedient character and affectionate nature. Portuguese Podengo (Small Smooth Haired and Wire Haired) All varieties of this breed are also used as watchdogs and as companion dogs. This breed is a primitive hunting dog, with the large Podengo being used for hunting big game, Medium (also known as the Warren Hound) having a natural aptitude as a rabbit hunter and either hunting in a pack or alone with the Small Podengo being used for searching rabbits in holes and rocks. It exists in three sizes, (Small, Medium, Large) with two varieties of coat: smooth and wire. Quadrangular pyramid head, with erect ears, sickle shaped tail, well proportioned, with sound construction and well muscled very lively and intelligent sober and rustic. Each size category traditionally hunts game appropriate to their size and temperament. Keen hunting dogs, the Podengo has an affinity for game regardless of size. The wire coat variety is better suited for hotter climates with its more open coat texture which provides better cooling and the smooth variety is better suited for cooler climates with its tighter, denser coat which provides better insulation.(2) Each is a very versatile hunter and companion that use all of its senses combined with agility, speed and endurance, running singly or in packs. The Portuguese Podengo was developed with six varieties (consisting of two coat types, short and smooth or long and wire, and each with three sizes small, medium and large), each suited to different climates, terrain, type of prey and hunting style. 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.(1) Their coats are either short and 'smooth', or longer and 'wired'. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). The Portuguese Podengois an ancient multi-sensory hound (sight and scent) breed of dog from Portugal.