Spotlight on the New AKC Breeds: The Podengo Pequeno

photo courtesy of AKC

By Amy Fernandez

On January 1, the Podengo Pequeno entered the Hound Group to become AKC’s 177th breed. Also known as the Portuguese Warren Hound, this hardy, primitive breed has been prized by hunters throughout the Iberian Peninsula for a thousand years. It developed in response to natural selection and utility. Like other Mediterranean hounds, Podengos utilize sight, scent and hearing to hunt. And they are ideally adapted to their time-honored job of tracking prey over rough, mountainous terrain.

Acknowledged as a distinct breed since the 10th century, the Podengo finally received official recognition in its native land in 1954. It is Portugal’s national breed, and its image appears on the Clube Português de Canicultura (CPC) logo. Despite its new incarnation as a show dog, it is primarily a traditional hunting dog, and the actual population is believed to be far higher than registration numbers reveal. For instance, another Podengo type, the Podenco Andaluz, ranks among the most popular Mediterranean hunting breeds. It’s estimated that tens of thousands are used today to hunt on the Iberian Peninsula. Outside of this region, Podengos were virtually unknown until they debuted at an Amsterdam show in 1988. Since then, Podengos have gained a loyal following throughout Europe and breeding programs are well established in Sweden, Germany, France, Finland, England, and America.

The Portuguese Podengo occurs in three sizes, and wire (pelo cerdoso) and smooth (pelo liso) coats, which are not interbred. The Podengo Grande measures 22-27 inches, the Podengo Medio measures 20-22 inches, and the newly recognized AKC breed, the Podengo Pequeno, measures 8-12 inches and weighs 9 to 13 pounds

For centuries, packs of Podengo Grande were used to course deer and wild boar. The population dropped in response to conservation laws and hunting restrictions imposed in the 1970s. Today, they are quite rare. The Medio’s versatility makes it a favorite of Portuguese sportsmen for hunting deer and small game. Pequenos are favored for vermin control, hunting in small dense cover, and willingly go to ground after fox or badger. The Pequeno’s well-balanced temperament and sociable nature also earns it accolades as a companion. Lively, intelligent, and less aloof than its larger counterparts, it’s definitely a functional working dog possessing typical Podengo energy, stamina, resourcefulness, and prey drive.

Moderately proportioned, sturdy, and unexaggerated, it has rectangular proportions, a long, straight, sturdy back, slightly tucked up underline, and a moderately high-set tapered tail carried slightly curved in a sickle shape. Its broad, wedge-shaped head is moderately tapered with a slight stop, powerful jaws, thin, close fitting lips, and a scissors bite. Obliquely set, almond shaped eyes give the Pequeno a charming, piquant expression. It’s thin, pointed, triangular ears are naturally erect, mobile, and expressive.

Pequenos are typically light to dark shades of yellow or fawn, solid, or with white markings, Solid or marked black, brown, or white are less common, but also acceptable. Eye color ranges from honey to dark brown with dark brown or black pigment and nose color. Both varieties lack undercoat. Smooth coats are short, hard and dense. Wirecoats are harsh textured with beard on the lower jaw, and slightly longer furnishings on legs and back of tail.

The Podengo was FCI recognized in 1967 and the Portuguese national club was founded in 1990. The first Podengos arrived in America that year, and were exhibited at rare breed shows. They entered the AKC FSS program in 2004 and became eligible for AKC Lure Coursing and Companion events in 2008. In 2009 the AKC board voted to split the breed into Portuguese Podengo and Podengo Pequenos. The Pequeno entered Miscellaneous January 2011, and debuted in the Hound Group January 1, 2013. The studbook remains open until January 1, 2018.

For more information visit the parent club website at http://www.pppamerica.org/

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