Portuguese Podengo
🧠 Temperament & character
The Portuguese Podengo is lively, intelligent and attentive, robust in nature and devotedly loyal to its family. The small type in particular is a nimble, clever ratter with plenty of self-confidence, while all sizes are alert and quick to give voice. It has a pronounced hunting instinct and loves to use its nose and its mind. With children and other dogs it usually gets along well, provided it was socialised early, while towards strangers it remains reserved at first. Overall it is a cheerful, easy-going dog with a healthy dose of stubbornness.
📜 Origin & history
The Portuguese Podengo is one of the old Iberian hunting dog types and has been used in Portugal for centuries for hunting rabbits and other game. The small type additionally kept farms and ships free of rats and is said once even to have travelled aboard the caravels of the Age of Discovery. The three sizes and the smooth- and wire-haired varieties developed according to region and hunting task. Today it is the national dog of Portugal and a living piece of the country's rural cultural heritage.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
Depending on the variety, the Portuguese Podengo has a smooth or a wire coat; both are easy to care for and need only regular brushing. As an active hunting dog it needs enough daily exercise as well as occupation for its nose and mind, for example through search and thinking games. It is teachable and eager to learn, but also independent, which is why varied, positive training works best. The small type is easy to keep in an apartment, while the medium and large Podengos appreciate more space and room to run; a securely fenced garden is an advantage because of the hunting instinct.
🩺 Health
The Portuguese Podengo is considered a particularly robust, natural breed with few known hereditary diseases and a pleasing life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. Precisely because it was never bred heavily for an extreme appearance, it is usually of good health and vitality. As with all breeds, breeders should pay attention to healthy hips, clear eyes and a balanced temperament in the parent animals. With good nutrition, species-appropriate exercise and normal preventive care, this lively hunting dog usually stays fit into old age.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Portuguese Podengo suits active people and families who want a cheerful, uncomplicated hunting dog; the small type is also well suited to the city and the apartment. Because of its hunting instinct it needs secure exercise opportunities and benefits from a fenced garden, especially in the larger varieties. For beginners it is well suited with a little guidance, as it is willing to learn and robust, but one should allow for its stubbornness and need for exercise. In Switzerland it cuts a fine figure as a versatile companion for walks, hikes and dog sports and, with suitable occupation, fits harmoniously into family life.