Portuguese Podengos Dog Breed Information

Portuguese Podengos is hunting dog from Portugal. Podengos comes in three variety: Portuguese Podengos Grande (large), Portuguese Podengos Medio (medium) and Portuguese Podengos Pequeno (small).

Portuguese Podengos dog is very active, lively, alert and intelligent that was Multi used for hunting. It comes in three sizes and the small and medium-sized were used for hunting small game like rabbit and large-sized were used for hunting big games like deer or even wild boar. Their coat also has two types: smooth and wirehaired.

Portuguese Podengos resembles the Ibizan Hound, Pharaoh Hound, and Cirneco dell’ Etna and it is believed that all these breeds share the same ancestry. Portuguese Podengos have a large, erect, triangular ears and the head is Pyramid-shaped. The eyes are expressive almond-shaped which comes in honey or brown colors. It has a slender, rectangular body which is strong and well-muscled.

Origin and History

The Portuguese Podengos were believed to be used as a multi-purpose hunting dog by Phoenician of Africa in 600 BC and the Phoenician traders distributed it in Portugal in 700 BC.

The Portuguese Podengos were developed in three sizes where the largest was used for deer and wild boar hunting. The medium-sized being slightly small was used for a small game like rabbit and vermin hunting. Portuguese Podengos has a great sense of smell, sight, and hearing which they use while hunting and they were known as an excellent hunter.

Portuguese Podengos were recognized in Europe by Federation Cynologique Internationale. The American Kennel Club has registered this breed in Miscellaneous Class since 2014 (as of March 2019) which is the last step to fully recognization. However, Portuguese Podengos Pequeno is still considered as a separate breed.

Is Portuguese Podengos Child-Friendly?

Portuguese Podengos are very loving and affectionate towards children which makes them child-friendly. They are protective of children and are always alert around them. They love to be with them and play with them.

Since it is a hunting dog, it should not be left unsupervised with small children and toddlers outside the family. However, they do well with small children of the family he has been raised in.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: Portuguese Podengos has a sweet and loving temperament towards its family. They are affectionate and very protective of their family. They tend to bark to an odd sound or any strange person, which make them a great watchdog. Portuguese Podengos are aloof of strangers and do not trust them easily. A proper introduction is necessary if any guest is visiting the house.

Behavior: Portuguese Podengos has a chewing habit, if not trained properly at an early age, it can be hard when they grow up. They are not an excessive barker but they have a high pitched voice as a hunting dog. So, they sometimes tend to make a high pitched sound while at home sitting.

Personality: Portuguese Podengos haves independent and alert personality. They are highly alert of the things going on in the surrounding and watch each and every action carefully. Therefore, they are considered as an excellent watchdog. They are independent but are very loving and caring for their family members, especially children.

Trainability

Training Portuguese Podengos is not for a novice or a first-time dog owner. They are a very independent dog who only responds to a confident and consistent training. Therefore, the owner should be an experienced dog owner and should be patient with them.

Train them with gentleness and reward them with treats and praises as they complete a certain task. The first training that should be given to them is proper socialization with a variety of people because they do not adapt well with new people.

Facts

• Portuguese Podengos is one of the ten Nation Dogs of Portugal.
• In July 2009, Portuguese Podengos were divided into two breeds: Portuguese Podengos includes Grande and Medio and Portuguese Podengos Pequeno, which is a separate breed now.
• Portuguese Podengos have been featured in different movies like Three Wishes, Soccer Dog, and Zeus and Roxanne.

Health Issues

The average life span of Portuguese Podengos is between 10-15 years. In these years, they might suffer from a few canine diseases which are explained below:

• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LPC): LCP is a bone disease that directly affects the thighbone and hip joints. It can affect the blood circulation in bone which makes it weak and the bone eventually dies. It will cause your Portuguese Podengos difficult in moving. If you see any discomforting in its walk, consult the veterinarian of the health condition.
• Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is mostly caused due to genetic which caused improper development of the joints. The joints are either imbalanced or not developed properly. It affects the back of the dog causing them a lot of pain and making it hard for them to move from one place to another. So, if any kind of difficulties is seen in your dog, take it to a local vet for consult.

Color

Portuguese Podengos come in different colors and markings which is listed below:

• Chetnut
• White & Chestnut
• Fawn
• White & Fawn
• Gold
• White & Gray
• Gray
• Off-white
• White & Orange
• Red
• White & Red
• White & Black
• Yellow
• White & Yellow
• White Markings

Puppies

Cost: The average cost of the Portuguese Podengos is between $800-$1000. However, if you want to buy a quality Portuguese Podengos from a good breeder, the cost is more.

Height and Size: The average height of the Portuguese Podengos is 22-28 inches (large) and 16-22 inches (medium). The average weight is 44-66 pounds (large) and 35-44 pounds (medium).

Similar Dog Breeds to Portuguese Podengos

Portuguese Podengos Pequeno

Ibizan Hound

Pharaoh Hound

Portuguese Sheepdog

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