COUNTRY: Portugal
WEIGHT: 66 pounds
HEIGHT: 22-28 inches
COAT: Short, coarse, longer than most of the sighthounds; Wirehaired—medium-long, shaggy and coarse
COLOR: Yellow, tan, dark gray with white markings
OTHER NAMES: Large Portuguese Hound
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Southern
Portugal's contributions to the sighthound classification can trace their ancestry to the running dogs of northern Africa. They are probably closely related to the Pharaoh Hound and most likely joined their relatives on board trading vessels, disembarking on Portuguese shores. Because they were not as isolated as those on islands, the availability of other breeding stock allowed for some variations over the years.
These dogs were most prevalent in northern Portugal where they were renowned rabbit dogs. Hunting singly or in packs, the Podengo developed into varieties allowing for the type of terrain to be covered. In more open country, the large size used its longer legs to overtake the prey with greater speed. Today the Grande is not seen as much as in times past. He is a natural dog, without docking or cropping. The Grande is an outstanding guard dog and an eager hunter.
Fitting snugly in between and bridging the gap is the Medio. While not as fast on the flat, he has more maneuverability in rougher cover and uneven terrain. It is the most common form seen with hunters in modern Portugal. His com-paratively smaller size is easier to house and feed.
The Pequeno, looking much like a sturdy Chihuahua, still demonstrates the hunting instincts despite his diminutive size. He is touted as the world's smallest hunting dog, and is used (like the Kaninchen Dachshund) to enter the rabbit warrens and flush the prey into the open—either for the gun or for the larger Po-dengos to run down. The Pequeno is also commonly seen as a "crew member" on boats where his job is to dispatch rats. While all of the sizes can second as house pets? the small version fits best and most popularly into this venue.
These are breeds which have never been sponsored outside of their native Portugal. FCI recognizes all three varieties, and one sees them occasionally exhibited at Portuguese shows. Like the Ibizans and Pharaohs, they are quiet, easy keepers and simple to groom. The added value of filling the game bag has kept them in the forefront with Portuguese hunters. All three Po-dengos appear in both smooth and wire coats and are lively, affectionate companions.
These dogs were most prevalent in northern Portugal where they were renowned rabbit dogs. Hunting singly or in packs, the Podengo developed into varieties allowing for the type of terrain to be covered. In more open country, the large size used its longer legs to overtake the prey with greater speed. Today the Grande is not seen as much as in times past. He is a natural dog, without docking or cropping. The Grande is an outstanding guard dog and an eager hunter.
Fitting snugly in between and bridging the gap is the Medio. While not as fast on the flat, he has more maneuverability in rougher cover and uneven terrain. It is the most common form seen with hunters in modern Portugal. His com-paratively smaller size is easier to house and feed.
The Pequeno, looking much like a sturdy Chihuahua, still demonstrates the hunting instincts despite his diminutive size. He is touted as the world's smallest hunting dog, and is used (like the Kaninchen Dachshund) to enter the rabbit warrens and flush the prey into the open—either for the gun or for the larger Po-dengos to run down. The Pequeno is also commonly seen as a "crew member" on boats where his job is to dispatch rats. While all of the sizes can second as house pets? the small version fits best and most popularly into this venue.
These are breeds which have never been sponsored outside of their native Portugal. FCI recognizes all three varieties, and one sees them occasionally exhibited at Portuguese shows. Like the Ibizans and Pharaohs, they are quiet, easy keepers and simple to groom. The added value of filling the game bag has kept them in the forefront with Portuguese hunters. All three Po-dengos appear in both smooth and wire coats and are lively, affectionate companions.
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