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The Portuguese Podengo is the name given to the national breed of Portugal. The Podengo comes in three sizes - small (Pequeno), medium (Medio) and large (Grande), each with two hair coats (smooth coat and wire coat).
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 on the routes of the discoverers.
Each has a different type of 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. Each is capable of hunting game that
is appropriate to their size. (Pequeno-rabbits, Medio-rabbits,
Grande-deer and wild boar).
History of the Breed: The Portuguese Podengo is the
National Dog of Portugal. Its history is deeply interwoven
with the history of the country and its people. The Podengo
appears in literature as early as the 12th century and
churches from even earlier times depict the breed in their
stonework. An ancient hunting breed, the origins of the
Podengo trace back thousands of years. It is thought that the
Podengo came to the Iberian Peninsula with the Phoenicians
from the area of Asia Minor. Its first pictorial
representations are found in the Roman ruins in Conimbriga
(Portugal) on mosaics and medallions. To this day, the Podengo
retains the characteristics of its early ancestors.
The first purebred Portuguese Podengos came to the United
States in the 1990s. They now reside in more than thirty
states and are recorded in the American Kennel Club's
Foundation Stock Service, the first step towards full
recognition of the breed by AKC. The Portuguese Podengo is
fully recognized by the American Rare Breed Association, the
United Kennel Club, and Rarities, Inc. The Podengo is accepted
for participation in events sponsored by the American
Sighthound Field Association, the United States Dog Agility
Association and other canine organizations.
The Portuguese Podengo Club of America represents all types
and varieties of the breed. PPCA is recognized by both
Portugal's Kennel Club and its Podengo Club and by AKC, UKC,
ARBA, Rarities, Inc. and other major canine organizations as
the parent club and representative of the breed in the United
States. Most Portuguese Podengos in the U.S. are registered
with the Kennel Club of Portugal (CPC), including those from
litters born in the United States, in accord with a process
established between the CPC and the PPCA.
Types and Varieties:
There are three types of Podengos: Podengo Grande,
Podengo Medio and Podengo Pequeno.
Within each type are two varieties: smooth coat and wire
coat (also referred to as wire hair).
Names of the Portuguese Podengos are:
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Smooth Coat
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Wire Coat
Portuguese Podengo Medio Smooth Coat
Portuguese Podengo Medio Wire Coat
Portuguese Podengo Grande Smooth Coat
Portuguese Podengo Grande Wire Coat
Portuguese Podengo Facts:
The Portuguese Podengo, the national dog of Portugal, 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 Portuguese Podengo is recognized in the United
States by the American Rare Breed Association, Rarities,
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.
In Europe, the Podengo is classified by the Federation
Cynologique Internacionale (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 the
Portuguese explorers such as Columbus and Magellan and
Vasco da Gama. Evidence points to many breeds throughout
the world that may trace their roots to 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, The Pequeno (small) Podengo is an avid rabbit
hunter and fine companion with a rich history. Growing in
popularity by leaps and bounds, the wire coat Pequeno
comprises about 75% of the Podengos residing in the United
States. (www.podengos.com). Often referred to as
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