It comes in three sizes and two coat types. The small Podengo measures 20 to 30 centimetres, the large up to 70. From the 15th century onwards, the small variety hunted rats aboard Portuguese seafarers’ caravels, according to the FCI standard.
| FCI | Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 7 Primitive type, Hunting Dogs, Standard No. 94, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Portugal |
| Height at the withers | Small 20 to 30 cm, medium 40 to 54 cm, large 55 to 70 cm (no distinction by sex) |
| Weight | Small 4 to 6 kg, medium 16 to 20 kg, large 20 to 30 kg |
| Life expectancy | Life expectancy at birth 7,86 years among 77.706 deceased Podengos in the Portuguese registry (Geraz et al. 2024); crossbreeds there 9,48 |
| Coat | Short and smooth or long and wire-haired with a beard, both moderately dense, without undercoat |
| Colours according to the standard | Yellow and fawn in all shades, with or without white, or white with these markings; small Podengos may also be black or brown; brindle, black and tan, tricolour and solid white disqualify |
Phoenicians, Romans and Moors
The standard is cautious: the Podengo may descend from dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula by Phoenicians and Romans. Later, dogs belonging to the Moors, who arrived in the 8th century, influenced it. Related in type are the Ibizan Hound (Podenco Ibicenco) and the Canarian Warren Hound (Podenco Canario), which share its FCI section. It has had definitive recognition since 1954.
Three sizes, three hunting styles
The large Podengo hunts big game, according to the standard. The medium, also called the Warren Hound, searches for rabbits alone or in packs, while the small flushes them from burrows and rocks. All three also serve as watchdogs and family dogs. Since smooth and wire coats occur in every size, the FCI awards titles in six varieties. Crossbreeding with sighthounds or pointing dogs disqualifies.
Agile and independent
Very lively and intelligent, sound and robust: this is the standard’s summary, with fearful behaviour considered a fault. As a hunter, it works by eyes, nose and ears, quickly making its own decisions. Recall needs training, and a garden needs a high, secure fence without gaps. Many Podengos enjoy relaxing on the sofa after exercise.
A coat without undercoat
Without an undercoat, it sheds little. Wipe smooth coats with a rubber glove and brush wire coats weekly. Small Podengos get cold quickly in winter, when a coat may be sensible.
What studies show
In Portugal’s national pet registry, deceased Podengos had a life expectancy at birth of 7,86 years, compared with 9,48 for crossbreeds (Geraz et al. 2024). The authors acknowledge that crossbreeds may have been recorded as Podengos without pedigree checks; British medians are also calculated differently. For primary lens luxation, in which the eye’s lens slips from its supporting structures, a British study tested 82 Podengos: 13 carried the ADAMTS17 mutation, one had two copies, and allele frequency was 0,09. The authors recommend genetic testing before every mating (Tzouganakis et al. 2022).
A rewarding choice for
active people wanting an agile, low-maintenance dog, who plan for hunting instincts and consciously choose the right size.
Choose another breed if
you want a dog that reliably stays beside you off lead, or cats and rabbits live in your household.
For another Portuguese dog with a completely different job, read the entry on the Portuguese Water Dog (Cão de Água Português). The breed quiz can reveal whether a primitive-type hunter suits you; explore further with “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first days with a puppy, get help from the free Puppy Starter Pack. Its large, erect ears look at home in our dog portraits or on a magazine cover on canvas.
Further reading
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
- Older dog, new rules: giving your senior their best years
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 94 Podengo Português (Portugiesischer Podengo) (fci.be, German version dated 21.09.2012); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed not included); Geraz H et al., Investigating the Life Expectancy at Birth of Companion Dogs in Portugal Using Official National Registry Data, Animals 2024; Tzouganakis I et al., Investigation of the allele frequency of the G>A intron 10 ADAMTS17 mutation causing primary lens luxation in the Portuguese Podengo breed, Veterinary Ophthalmology 2022.
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