Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
The Pequenos are smart and playful. They will bring joy to owners, as they are fond of playing. This breed have sensitive nose, so they’re raised to hunt rabbit in the past. Nowadays, their instincts might easily get owners into trouble, which owners should be concerned more about.
| Other Names | Podengo Portugues Portuguese Warren Hound, Portuguese Warren Hound |
| Color | Brown, gray |
| Height | Males: 9-13 inches. Females: 8.5-12 inches. |
| Weight | Males: 8-12 pounds. Females: 7.5-11 pounds. |
| Life Span | 12-15 years |
| Personality | Playful, Charming, Lively |
| Exercise | Energetic |
| Origin |
| Popularity | #147 |
| Groom Needs | Weekly Brushing/Seasonal Shedding |
| Kids Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Dog Friendly | Yes |
| Watch Dog | |
| Family Dog | |
| Litter Size | 3-5 puppies |
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Video
Introduction
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is the smallest of the three Portuguese Podengo size classes. He is lively and playful. The Podengo Portuguese, Portuguese Warren Hound, and the Portuguese Rabbit Dog are all names used for this dog. They make a wonderful pet for households of all types from singles to families with kids; younger kids must just learn early how to properly approach and play with a small dog. They love to accompany their owners and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Being so alert, he will keep you alert to potential dangers around. They do have a couple of behavioral traits that some people may not like—they do love digging and barking. A firm but friendly training regime should start as early as possible to achieve the best results for this dog. He stands around 12 inches high and weighs about 13 pounds. Their coats are smooth and dense or you can opt for the wiry-coated dogs – both are easy to groom, about once a week. Their coats can be light to dark yellow or fawn color; you do get black or brown as well with some markings. Because they tend to have shorter coats, Portuguese Podengo Pequenos aren’t particularly fond of extreme weather. They do tend to prefer sunny weather over cold climates. They will need about a nice hour of walking to keep them in good shape with also some active play as well.
Living with Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno can be easy to get groomed. It takes little efforts for owners to groom them. Unlike some long hair dogs, the Pequenos don’t need rubber band to tie hairs. The coat of the Pequenos are short and smooth. However, there are outliers that some coats of the Pequenos are wiry. All tools owners need is a soft brush and a metal comb. Owners should brush their hair completely from skin surface to the tip of hair. Good grooming method includes tangles disassembling and mat eliminating. Owners should take a different measure when it comes to a wire coat. It’s a good choice to use a damp cloth to wipe off some dirt occasionally. This is a good way to keep the Pequenos with wiry coat. Dirt wipe-off cleaning way is a supplement of monthly bath. The Pequenos actually don’t need to get clipped or trimmed. Owners should brush the Pequenos’ teeth regularly. Clean ears with vet approved items to avoid infections, irritations and wax build up. Good cleaning habit will alleviate the chances of problems later. Owners should trim the Pequenos’ nails occasionally, using a nail clipper or grinder, as some dirts might exist.
The Pequenos are fond of exercising, as they are raised for hunting rabbit historically. Energetic and active as the Pequenos are, owners need to spend some time on outdoor exercising. It’s a good choice to take the Pequenos out for brisk daily walks. Daily vigorous walks are of great importance to the Pequenos. Once-a-day exercise can be appliacble to the Pequenos. As one of the hounds, smart Pequenos have sensitive nose for hunting rabbit in history. Nowadays, they still have some hounding instincts, and the instincts of the Pequenos might easily cause dangers to other animals. So in order to avoid any troubles. Secure measures should be taken, such as offering a large fenced yard, or tying a dog leash to the Pequenos’ neck. Kids, senior people, small dogs are fragile. In this way, the safety of the fragile group can be ensured. Fenced yard can be perfect for the Pequenos to have a all-out running. However, this kind of strenuous exercise should be weekly. Playful and emulative as the Pequenos are, strenuous exercise will easily run off all their energy. Dog leash should be used in a good situations. Chasing after owner’s bike is not suitable even if they are tied with a dog leash. Owners cannot easily tell dogs’ physical exertion situations, and dogs will quickly run off their energy which is unhealthy.
The Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are not critical about food. However, owners should not feed them unhealthy or food that might cause danger. A overrall dog food knowledge should be learned before owners decide to raise a dog. Some human food are not applicable to dogs which owners might find it hard to distinct from food’s appearance. So if owners have any troubles in home-made food, it is a good idea to ask vet for advice. Fresh and clean water should be available to dogs. In order to make dogs grow up sane, owners should feed them dog food of high quality. Dog food should be nutrient and appropriate to dogs’ age. Whether a home-style food or commercially manufactured dog food, any meals should be different from puppies to adult dog. Owners can feed the Pequenos food which is approved by vet. Owners should try to avoid the overweight problems of dog. Careful owners will feed them the same amount of food every day. If there’s a slightly excess food, dogs will not feel terrible physically. Dog’s calorie consumption and weight level should be checked regularly.
Most Pequenos are in good heath, but some are prone to suffer from some unavoidable diseases on eyes and joint, such as progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. These diseases are common among the Bergers. However, Berger breeders have screened breeding stock as far as they could, and they have registered some checked information about the Berger Picard to the Canine Health Information Center. These information includes either elbows, thyroid, eyes, body or heart situations of a Pequeno. So in that case, owenrs will hardly choose a dog with genetic issues. However, to make the Pequenos to grow up sane, owners need to bath them regularly. Have the Pequenos’ ears checked frequently in case of irritations, infections or wax build up. Take the Pequenos out for some brisk walks and runs will contribute to both mental and physical health.
Total Annual Cost: $2780
Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.
The Pequenos are easy to get trained. Lively and intelligent as they are, the Pequenos are quick learners yet. Fun and attractive training methods are required for a successful training. The Pequenos will be attentive in short trainging sessions. Trainers need to bring dogs a happy period in obedience training in case of a sense of resistance on training process. The Pequenos enjoy and relish any kind of training, and they can be perfect at these trails. The Pequenos can be easily trained as a hunter, as they historically hound some rabbits and small animals. Nowadays, owners can train them to participate in some stage performance shows, sports competitions, and etc. They can be good watchdogs if trained properly. Positive reinforcements can bring them good motivation to complete what owners direct, such as praises and joys. Trainer will easily train them if there’re tight emotional connections and interactions between dog and trainer.
History
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno originates from Portugal. The three types are considered separate breeds from each other and are not interbred. They are the small Pequeno, the medium, and the large. It was selected as Portugal’s national dog.
Their lineage goes back to the ancient Phoenicians and Romans, as far back as 600 B.C. They were excellent rabbit hunters in those days.
In the 15th century, Portuguese Podengo Pequenos were taken onto ships that were bound for America. They had the job of keeping the ships rodent-free during their travels. This helped to keep the sailors from getting vermin-borne diseases.
Three Podengo dogs called Rosa, Tito, and Nikki appeared in various movies such as Soccer Dog, Zeus and Roxanne, and The Lake House.
These dogs specifically entered the American Kennel Club Miscellaneous Class in January 2011 and then the Hound Class exactly two years later in January 2013. They were registered at the American Kennel Club in January 2013.
Helpful Information
Breed Club: Portuguese Podengo Pequenos of America, Inc
Breed Club Link: http://www.portuguesepodengopequeno.org/
Breed Club Rescue: