Podengo Portugueso

Breed Origin

The Portuguese Podengo is considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with its physical traits remaining remarkably consistent over the centuries. This breed's ancestry can be traced back to dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans and Phoenicians more than 2,000 years ago. The larger variant was originally bred for hunting boar and deer, while the medium-sized type was designed for chasing rabbits and other small game. During the 8th century Moorish Invasion, additional hounds from North Africa were incorporated into the breeding of the ancient Portuguese Podengo. Currently, the Portuguese Podengo is celebrated as one of Portugal's ten National Dogs, which includes all three size variations and both coat types. The Portuguese Kennel Club, known as the Clube Portugues de Canicultura, has adopted this breed as its official symbol. Founded in the early 1900s, the Club do Podengo Portugues serves as the national breed club, overseeing the breeding and registration of both adult dogs and puppies. At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed faced a significant decline in population, but the efforts of Portugal’s upper class were instrumental in its revival over the next hundred years. The first Portuguese Podengo arrived in the United States in the 1990s. In 2004, the United Kennel Club began registering the breed, enabling it to compete in all UKC events. Many Portuguese Podengos in the U.S. are registered with the CPP, and numerous litters born abroad have also been recorded by the club. That same year, the Portuguese Podengo was accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service and is currently classified under the Miscellaneous Class, which is the final step before achieving full AKC recognition.

Care Routine

The Portuguese Podengo is quite easy to care for in terms of grooming. Its coat needs to be brushed weekly to remove any loose or dead hair. For both coat types, using a natural bristle brush or a slicker brush is advisable, and a rubber curry comb or hound mitt can also be useful. For the wire-haired variety, a metal comb is crucial for maintaining the beard, which should be kept in its natural state without excessive trimming. The smooth coat has a double layer and will shed seasonally, requiring more frequent brushing during those times. Generally, baths are only necessary two to three times a year, unless the dog encounters something particularly smelly. In between baths, a dry shampoo can help maintain freshness. It's also essential to check and clean the ears weekly to avoid infections. Nail trimming should occur every few weeks, depending on how quickly they grow. It's worth noting that neither coat type is hypoallergenic.

Play & Exercise