Portuguese Podengo

Portuguese Podengo

Wirehaired Portuguese Podengo Medio
Other names	Podengo Portugues Portuguese Warren Hound
Origin	Portugal
Classification / standards FCI Group 5, Section 7 Primitive Hunting Dogs #94 standard AKC Portuguese Podengo Pequeno: Hound; Portuguese Podengo (Medio and Grande): Miscellaneous (FSS) [1] standard The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. The AKC Miscellaneous class is for breeds working towards full AKC recognition. KC (UK) Hound standard UKC Sighthound & Pariah standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient multi-sensory hound (sight and scent) breed of dog from Portugal. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Medio) and large (Grande). Their coats are either short and 'smooth', or longer and 'wired'. 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. In general, the breed is healthy; the Pequeno (small) variety has an average lifespan of approximately 15–17 years.

All Podengo types are hardy, intelligent and lively dogs, excelling at agility and making fine companions. Loyal and fearless, Podengos are also good house guards and are amenable to training by dog experienced people and those that enjoy primitive (unrefined, "less domesticated") dog behavior.

Keen hunting dogs, the Podengo has an affinity for game regardless of size. Typically, the dogs hunt in a pack with their handler following. When game is found, they kill and retrieve it, or flush it towards the hunter to be shot. Each size category traditionally hunts game appropriate to their size and temperament. (Pequeno: rabbits; Medio: rabbits and wild boar; Grande: deer and wild boar).

The United Kingdom registers the most Podengos, followed by Finland, the United States and Portugal.

In Europe, the Podengo is classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (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. In both the United States and the UK the Portuguese Podengo is classified in the Hound Group.

There are three sizes of Podengos: Podengo Pequeno, Podengo Medio and Podengo Grande.

Within each size type are two varieties: smooth (also referred to as smooth coat) and wire (also referred to as wire coat, wirehaired, longhaired or rough coat). All of these types are called 'Portuguese Podengo' as a 'breed,' although none of these six types are interbred.

In its home country, the Podengo is referred to as Small, Medium or Large Podengo. It is acceptable for the hair description to come before or after the 'type' name.

In the United States, the American Kennel Club split the Podengo Pequeno from the other two sizes as a separate breed. This was done primarily to prevent the interbreeding of the Pequeno with the Medio.