The Portuguese Podengo, also known as the Podengo Português or Portuguese Warren Hound, is a hound breed from Portugal. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). Their coats are either short and 'smooth', or longer and 'wired'. The smooth coated variety is traditional, whereas the wire coated variety is an outcome of the assimilation of various other breeds during the 20th century. In general, the breed is healthy; the Pequeno (small) variety has an average lifespan of approximately 15–17 years.
The breed was developed in Portugal, where it has been used traditionally for hunting in the diverse terrain of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Portuguese Podengo is a versatile breed, known for its keen hunting instincts and agility. It comes in three sizes - Pequeno, Médio, and Grande, each serving different hunting purposes. The Pequeno is often used for hunting small game, while the larger sizes are used for bigger game. The breed is generally healthy and has a good life expectancy, especially the Pequeno variety.
Manuel Benedito's 1913 painting Return from the big game hunt, showing a pack of Podengos in Spain.
Trainability
Responsiveness to training: —/5