The Portuguese Podengo, also known as the or Portuguese Warren Hound, is a Portuguese breed of dog of warren hound type. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (), medium () and large (). The coat is either short and smooth, or longer and wiry. The smooth-coated variety is traditional, whereas the wire-coated variety results from the assimilation of various other breeds during the twentieth century.
History
In the Middle Ages, hunting dogs in Portugal were collectively known as ('pointers'}. Dogs of this kind were used to kill rats in sea-going Portuguese caravels.
Recognition of the Podengo as a homogeneous breed began in the early twentieth century. The breed standard for the large variety dates from 1953.
Description
The Portuguese Podengo is bred in three size varieties: large, medium and small (, and ). According to the breed standard, the large stands at the withers and weighs , the medium stands and weighs , and the small stands and weighs .
Use
The Podengo has an affinity for game, regardless of size. The large variety is used mainly for hare, either alone or as a pair; it may also be used to run down deer. The medium and small varieties are usually hunted in packs for rabbit, but may also be used alone.
References
Podengo Português (in Portuguese). Clube Português de Canicultura. Archived 10 February 2025.
David Alderton (1987). The Dog: The Most Complete, Illustrated, Practical Guide to Dogs and Their World. London: New Burlington Books. .
David Alderton (2000). Hounds of the World. Shrewsbury: Swan Hill Press..
[s.n.] (2021). Catálogo Oficial de Raças Autóctones Portuguesas (in Portuguese). Lisboa: Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal; Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária. Archived 19 January 2024.
Arthur Frederick Jones, Ferelith Hamilton (1971). The World Encyclopedia of Dogs. New York: Galahad Books. .
Desmond Morris (2002). Dogs: A Dictionary of Dog Breeds. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing. .
Cães - Raça Podengo Português Grande (in Portuguese). Vale de Santarém: Sociedade Portuguesa de Recursos Genéticos Animais. Archived 5 September 2025.