Hound group · Portugal
Portuguese Podengo
Also called Podengo Portugues, Portuguese Warren Hound.
What makes them remarkable
One breed, three sizes and two coat types: Portugal’s rabbit hunter comes in several distinct forms.
- Lively
- Alert
- Intelligent
- Hardy
- Charming
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 16 to 30 kg35 to 66 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 14 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- High
Training
Training a Portuguese Podengo
Hound breeds. Recall is the whole game. Build it on a long line before you trust it, and never punish a slow return.
High Prey Drive
Start here
Bred to hunt rabbits. A small animal moving sets off an intense chase. Secure containment essential.
Primitive Breed Independence
Ancient breed with independent thinking. Training requires patience and creativity.
Three Size Varieties
Grande (large), Medio (medium), and Pequeno (small) have similar temperaments but different exercise needs.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Portuguese Podengo and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to hunt by scent or sight, often far from the handler. Independent, with a nose or eyes that override you.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsModerate
- StrangersModerate
- CatsLow
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1-2 hours daily. Active breed that loves hunting games, agility, and outdoor activities.
- Grooming
- Low to moderate. Wire coat needs occasional hand-stripping; smooth coat needs minimal care.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Smooth, WireYellow, Fawn, Black, Black with White
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Mild
Less common but can occur
Patellar Luxation
Moderate
Kneecap displacement, especially in smaller varieties
Legg-Calve-Perthes
Moderate
Hip joint disorder in smaller varieties
Where they come from
History
Ancient breed brought to Portugal by Phoenician traders. Used for rabbit hunting using sight and scent. Comes in three sizes and two coat types.
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