Portuguese Podengo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Portuguese Podengo | ||
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| Alternative names | ||
| Podengo Portugues Portuguese Warren Hound |
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| Country of origin | ||
| Portugal | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group 5 Section 7 #94 | Stds |
| AKC: | Hound (FSS) | Stds |
| The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. | ||
| KC (UK): | Hound | Stds |
| UKC: | Sighthound and Pariah | [? Stds] |
| Notes | ||
| The UKC does not have an official breed standard | ||
The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient scent hound breed of dog from Portugal. The Podengo comes in three sizes - small (Pequeno), medium (Medio) and large (Grande), each with two hair coats (smooth and wirehaired).
The rarest of all, the Grande, was most likely developed from larger Medios and the Pequeno was most likely developed also from the Medio. Of the three, the Pequeno displays more color variety because of possible outcrossing centuries ago with other breeds, possibly terriers or other ancestors of the chihuahua. This is evident in the variety of head shape, body type and coloration in the Pequeno.
Each has a different temperament but all three love to hunt, as is their heritage and tradition in their native country. Typically, the dogs hunt in a pack with their human companion following them on large tracts of land with lots of game. Their hunting style is of an independent nature, with the dog(s) forging ahead with the hunter within their site range (which can be many acres). When game is found, they will kill it and bring it back to the hunter or wait for the hunter to catch up and shoot it. Each is capable of hunting game that is appropriate to their size. (Pequeno-rabbits, Medio-rabbits, Grande-deer and wild boar).
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[edit] Types and varieties
There are three types of Podengos: Podengo Grande , Podengo Medio and Podengo Pequeno.
Within each type are two varieties: smooth (also referred to as smooth coat) and wirehaired (also referred to as wire coat or rough coat). All of these types are called 'Portuguese Podengo' as a 'breed,' although none of these six types are interbred.
1) Portuguese Podengo Pequeno (Smooth) 2) Portuguese Podengo Pequeno (Wirehaired) 3) Portuguese Podengo Medio (Smooth) 4) Portuguese Podengo Medio (Wirehaired) 5) Portuguese Podengo Grande (Smooth) 6) Portuguese Podengo Grande (Wirehaired)
Interestingly, in its home country, the Podengo is called Small Podengo, Medium Podengo or Large Podengo. It is completely acceptable for the hair description to come before or after the 'type' name. See more photos and links regarding Wirehaired Podengo Medios at http://www.podengos.com
[edit] Portuguese Podengo Facts
The Portuguese Podengo is a national breed of Portugal, and is featured as the Portuguese Kennel Club's mascot on their logo. It is an ancient hunting breed first written about in the 13th century and depicted on the stonework of 11th century Portuguese churches. A remarkably healthy breed, the Pequenos have been known to live twenty years, with the average lifespan of the breed approximately 15-17 years. The Medios can live to be approximately 12-15 years.
- The Portuguese Podengo is recognized in the United States by the American Rare Breed Asscoiation, Rarities, Inc., the United Kennel Club, and the American Sighthound Field Association and is recorded in the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service, the first step towards eventual full recognition by the AKC. The Portuguese Podengo has been accepted for AKC's Companion Events beginning on January 1, 2008.
- 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 FCI breed standard, which originates in Portugal, governs all types and varieties of the Portuguese Podengo.
- Portugal registers the most Podengos, followed by Finland, England and the United States.
- The small Podengo traveled aboard the ships of Portuguese explorers such as Magellan and Vasco da Gama. Evidence points to many breeds throughout the world that may trace their roots to those primitive dogs that also eventually became the Podengo.
- The Podengo is a hardy, intelligent and lively breed, excelling at agility and making fine companions. Loyal and fearless, the Podengo is also a good house guard and easy to train for dog experienced people and those that enjoy learning dog behavior.
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
The Pequeno (small) Podengo is an avid rabbit hunter and fine companion with a rich history. Growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, the Pequeno comprises about 80% of the Podengos residing in the United States, with the vast majority of these being wire coat Pequenos. Like many small but energetic breeds, the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno it is often referred to as "a big dog in a small package" and is lively, hardy, and exceptionally fun loving.
[edit] Portuguese Podengo Medio
[edit] Appearance
WIREHAIRED The WPPM is a medium-sized breed with a rough coat that functions as an air conditioner in the hot weather. This coat was preferred in the South of their native Portual, which is very warm. The single coat (without undercoat) does shed but not very much. SMOOTH COAT The Smooth Coat Portuguese Podengo Medio is a medium-sized breed with a dense smooth single layer coat that is extremely low maintenance. It naturally sheds dust and dirt and dries very quickly. For that reason the Smooth Coat variety is preferred in the North of their native Portugal, which is climatically very similar to Northern California, with rainy winters. The single coat (without undercoat) does shed but not very much.
[edit] Temperament
Both kinds of Podengo Medio are friendly, hardy, and intelligent companions. They are very active and usually good with children and other animals, including livestock, especially when socialized from an early age.
They are watchful and observant and will bark when something gets their attention. They enjoy digging and need a secure fence, optimally enclosing their own yard. As they are very agile, regular fencing might not be enough, as they are exellent jumpers and climbers. The best way to address this is with a high enough fence to prevent jumping and a "fence" below the ground, preferably of hardware cloth.
When trained, Podengos can have good recall when not on leash. While hiking with them, they generally stay in visual distance and "check"on their owners frequently, always being aware of their position (although that can mean a few acres away). Like all dogs, they must be trained on the recall, or they might get lost or run away.
They are an enthusiastic, trainable dog. This trainability led them to star in a number of movies in the 1990's, including Soccer Dog and Zeus and Roxanne.
[edit] History
The Portuguese Podengo Medio, both smooth coat and wirehaired, has existed, unregistered, in the United States for decades in small numbers with Portuguese-Americans in private home settings, where they have been used for traditional rabbit hunting. Amazingly, they were never popularized outside of their immigrant homesteads. If dog-loving Americans had seen them, there is no doubt that this breed would have become known sooner, as they are attractive, nice family dogs, with a touch of mischief.
Smooth Podengo Medios began being shown in America in 2002 and Wirehaired Podengo Medios began being shown in America in 2005. They are still rare. Breeders in Portugal primarily breed for rabbit hunting, not pets. They are hunting dogs, often kept in kennels, not in homes. The idea of Wirehaired Podengo Medios being kept more as house pets began with breeders in Europe. Similarly, American-born Medios are socialized and tempered to household life.
