The Dog Centre - for professional dog trainers in the UK

Portuguese Podengo

General Appearance

Small, sturdy, slightly longer than high.

  Below Average Above Key
Likelihood to wander        
Protectiveness        
Destructiveness        
Quietness        
Good with children        
Affinity to other dogs        
Size   Medium    
Lifespan   Medium   Below: < 10 years
Average: > 10 years
Above: > 15 years
Location     High Below: Town only
Average: Town and Country
Above: Country only

Characteristics

A primitive dog used primarily for hunting rabbits. A keen, alert and agile dog who hunts by scent, sight and hearing.

Temperament

Sociable, intelligent and lively

Head and Skull

Lean, fine, seen as a broad based wedge when viewed from above and in profile. Flat or slightly arched skull. Occipital bone slightly prominent. Stop moderately defined. Muzzle shorter than the skull, appears as a blunt wedge when in profile, with a slightly protruding nose. Lips thin, black and tight fitting.

Eyes

Expressive, moderate in size, not prominent, set obliquely. Colour varies according to coat colour, from light to dark brown.

Ears

Triangular, large and thin. Broad at the base tapering to a fine point. Set on medium high and obliquely. Very mobile, carried erect and forward when alert. Length of ear greater than width at base.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. 

Neck

Straight and of medium length. Strong, well muscled. Free from throatiness.

Forequarters

Forelegs straight and parallel. Well laid muscular shoulders. Pasterns short, strong and slightly sloping.

Body

Length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttock greater than height at withers. Topline level, slight rise over loin. Moderate forechest. Chest fairly deep, not too wide. Ribs moderately well sprung and carried well back. Underline rising slightly.

Hindquarters

Strong and muscular. Moderately angulated with firm hocks and moderate length of rear pasterns. Legs parallel when viewed from behind. Free from dewclaws.

Feet

Strong and round, toes tight and well arched. Nails strong, short and preferably dark. Firm pads.

Tail

Medium length, high set. Thick at the base tapering to a fine point. Curved over the back when moving. Never curled.

Gait

Swift and light footed. Sound.

Coat

Smooth or wire coated. Never trimmed. Skin thin and close fitting. Smooth coated: Short and very dense. Wire coated: Rough and harsh, but not as dense as the smooth coat and without undercoat. Distinct beard.

Colour

Yellow, fawn (in all shades from light to dark), black (diluted or faded), with or without white markings. White only if accompanied by markings of one of the listed colours.

Size

Height 20-30 cms (8-12 ins). Weight 4-5 kilos (9-11 lbs).

Excercise Requirements

Considerable

Grooming Needs

Light

Notes

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.




The Dog Centre - dog training for professionals
website design and development by The Ideas Barn, Warwickshire, UK Website by ideasBarn