The podengo is a terrific family pet and companion dog. It is also known for its quirkiness and will run around the house or engage in many amusing antics. This dog needs to stay actively engaged in an activity with people or other dogs to be mentally and physically fit. The podengo is independent and skittish around strangers, although it is generally affectionate. However, it has a high prey drive, which means care should be taken when it is around smaller animals, including cats. The podengo is easy to train especially when given firm and consistent training at an early age. It is also active, intelligent, and has the energy and stamina to be an efficient hunter, able to hunt alone or in packs. The Portuguese podengo is a jolly, multipurpose, lively dog with a strong desire to please its family. Other basic care is also required such as cleaning the dogвЂ™s ears, brushing its teeth, and trimming its nails.

However, both coat types shed steadily throughout the year especially during autumn and spring, and as such will require frequent dog grooming. On the other hand, the wire-coated podengo will need to be frequently brushed at least two to three times a week. The smooth-coated podengo is easy to groom and will only require a weekly brushing or a wipe-over using a chamois leather. All sizes of the podengo come in shades of yellow or fawn, either solid or with white markings. Also, a podengo with wiry coat often wears a distinctive beard and moustache. The smooth-coated podengo has a short-length coat that is dense and smooth, whilst the wiry-haired podengo has a medium-length coat that is rough and coarse. The ears are large, triangular-shaped, and pricked, but point out to the sides.ДЄs previously mentioned, the podengo comes in two distinct coats: smooth-haired and wire-haired. It has almond-shaped eyes, which range from honey to amber brown.

The nose is a darker colour than the rest of the body. Its muzzle is slightly long and tapers somewhat towards the nose. It has a lean, wedge-shaped head that is either flattened or rounded like the Chihuahua. The Portuguese podengo has a primitive appearance that is typical of native Mediterranean dogs. The medio and grande have square-proportioned bodies, whilst the pequeno is slightly longer than it is tall. The three size varieties include pequeno (8вЂ“12 inches 9вЂ“13 pounds), medio (16вЂ“12 inches 35вЂ“44 pounds), and grande (22вЂ“28 inches 44вЂ“66 pounds). The breed is recognised by the Kennel Club in the UK.ДЄll three podengo size varieties are substantially identical in physical features except for the size and two coat types (smooth-haired and wiry-haired). The medio became a distinct variety before the eleventh century, whereas the pequeno is believed to have been created during the reign of King Alfonso I in the 1140s. In some countries, the podengo grande is often paired with mastiff-type hunting dogs. The Portuguese podengo comes in three sizes: small (pequeno), medium (medio), and large (grande), with the grande being the original version. The Portuguese podengo is said to be a member of the pricked-ear hunting dogs that are native to the Mediterranean along with the Pharaoh hound (Malta), Ibizan hound (Balearic Islands), and Podenco Canario (Canary Islands). The breed has been developed in Portugal since the sixteenth century and has been given the honour of being the national dog of the country.

The name podengo comes from the Portuguese word that means warren hound or rabbit hunter.

The breed was brought by Phoenician traders to Portugal in 1000 BC to be prized hunting dogs. The Portuguese podengo is believed to be descended from Pharaoh hound.

Wirehaired portuguese podengo puppy