(1) SuitabilityĪll Podengo types are hardy, intelligent and lively dogs, excelling at agility and making fine companions. They enjoy digging dens, also, like their other Podengo relations. They will be good guardians and require a securely fenced yard (at least 6 ft tall). They must be socialised very well and carefully by a breed-experienced handler. Portuguese Podengo (Large Smooth Haired and Wire Haired)īoth kinds of Podengo (Large) are known to be tough, hardy and intelligently observant animals. 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. 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.

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 Podengo is an ancient multi-sensory hound (sight and scent) breed of dog from Portugal.

Portuguese podengo smooth