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| Podengo Pequeno |
(As a youth I was desperate to get a puppy, so I memorized the Encyclopedia of Dogs in an attempt to prove to my parents that I was knowledgeable enough to handle the task. I finally got the dog: Katie, the Cairn Terrier, the first of my scruffy dogs. For some reason that near-encyclopedic knowledge of dog breeds has managed to stick with me all these years. I probably could have used that memory space for something more important, like remembering family birthdays or the names of people I've met at work functions, but no).
My friend's comment sent me on a quest to see if the Podengo was that mystery dog we kept seeing all over Portugal. It is. The Podengo comes in smooth coat and wire coat in three sizes: Small (Pequeno), Medium (Medio) and Large (Grande). And it's not just any dog breed from Portugal...it's the national dog breed of Portugal. I guess that explains why they were everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. Rural Portugal doesn't seem to have any sort of enforced leash laws, so these scruffy dogs were running around the countryside, wandering through the city streets and begging for food at restaurants, without their owners anywhere to be found.
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| Podengo Medio |
I just hope that their soon-to-be popularity doesn't lead to them being bred indiscriminately. The breed today has almost no genetic disorders and is extremely healthy, smart and well adjusted to family life -- as it has been for millennia. Traces of the Podengo's DNA are found in little, scruffy, pointy-eared dogs all over the world -- pretty much wherever the Portuguese explorers landed -- as the Podengo Pequeno were used as ratters on Portuguese sailing vessels. But it takes only a few generations of poor breeding in puppy mills to destroy a breed. So let's hope, for the sake of the adorable Podengo, that scruffy dog lovers will get their dogs from reputable breeders who are taking care to maintain this ancient breed's wonderful characteristics.
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| Podengo Grande |
We're not looking for another dog at the moment. Baxter and Kirby are plenty of scruffy canine for one small household. If we were ever to get another purebred, it would probably be a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon like Baxter. But I have to admit, the Podengo is pretty cute. And we are hoping to spend another vacation in Portugal some day...
(All photos from the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Club of America.)
8 comments:
Nice blog entry! Thanks for writing about our breed. Indiscriminate breeding will not be a problem in our breed 'size' of Podengo, as there are just a handful of them on this continent that were/are used for breeding. They are a very difficult dog for the fully integrated pet-family lifestyle (ie. not being kennel kept- being kept with the family in the home, especially with other dogs. They do not like small dogs). Mary (First breeder/exhibitor of the Wirehaired Podengo Medio in North America)
Thanks for your comment, Mary. It's a pleasure to "meet" one of the few Medio breeders in North America! Just to clarify, are you saying the Podengo Medio is better kept in a kennel or in a home with no other dogs? How are they with children? Would you be willing to elaborate on the challenges of keeping them in the family home? And does the same hold true for the Pequeno?
Thanks again,
ScruffyDog
I just have one thing to say:
Podengo Pequeno = super-cutie-patootie-pie!!
Hey...sorry so long! The Pequeno is a totally different kind of dog. Like comparing a Norwich to an Airedale! They may have a common ancestor but that's about it. The little ones act a LOT like small terriers but sometimes more timid about strangers.
The Medios (mee-dee-oh) are like a larger type terrier, tough but loving and usually quite friendly to new people. Not good with small dogs. Hate subordinates and never miss an opportunity to re-send them to the bottom of the totem pole. They appreciate an equal, in size and smarts. Opposite sex equal is perfect of any breed as long as it's the same size.
Along with cattle dogs I run my friends podengo in agility!
I adopted my scruffy little girl from a shelter almost three years ago. The shelter staff said that she was a terrier mix, as they label all small, scruffy dogs.
Based on her appearance, behavior, and temperment, I guessed that she was a Jack Russell mixed with something else, probably a Westie, which would account for her tall ears and slight mane. Then, a few days ago, shopping with her at Home Depot, another shopper siad that she looked just like his dog, a PP Pequeno. He showed me a picture of his dog and he was right. They are twins, tall ears and mane, included.
That got me researching Podengos and I now realize that my little girl is most likely a wire-haired PPP. I would love to confirm this with a DNA test, but I can't find one that has Podengos in their database. Any suggestions?
I wish I knew if any of the dog DNA tests included Podengo. It is worth noting, however, that most of these tests cannot be used to confirm purebred status of a dog (or at least that's what I read in the legalese when we DNA tested our little guy). As I understand it,these tests really just give you an idea of what breeds are most probable in the dog's ancestry based on some common genetic markers, but they are not definitive. I'd bet Podengos would come up with common ancestors to Pharaoh Hounds, Ibizan Hounds, etc.
I just adopted a dog from a rescue, they did his shots his neuter, dewarm and Chip, I love him to death. I was told that he is a
Portuguese Podengo / Standard schnauzer mix.
He may be the most interesting dog I’ve ever seen! I was told he was nine months old. I took him to the vet the first week I had him and she thinks he’s closer to the six month old, he weighs 34 pounds. I sent in a DNA test on him. And can’t wait to get it back, he looks a lot like the dogs in the upper pictures here, but not as thick a coat. I wish I knew how to do a photo on here, so I could get opinions.
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