Dog breed, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are the smallest dogs among the three Podengo breeds. The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno only stands at a maximum height of 12 inches and features a wedge-shaped head and pointed ears. They have long-backed, muscular bodies covered with coats that come in different shades of yellow.

Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are adaptable in any type of home. However, as these are energetic dogs, they are more suited in homes with a securely-fenced yard. They are also the best fit for active owners who can cope with their boundless energy.

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Statistics

Dog Breed Group	Hound
Breed Size	Small
Height	8-12 inches
Weight	9-13 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Ratings

Energy level
Exercise needs
Requires attention
Playfulness
Trainability
Shedding
Grooming
Friendly with family
Friendly with kids
Friendly with strangers
Friendly with other dogs
Prey Drive

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno History

Portuguese Podengo Pequenos is the smallest of the three Portugal Podengo dogs. As their name implies, the breed originated from Portugal with a history that can be traced as far back as 600 BC.

These dogs are said to be the favorite of the native people in Portugal. They were mainly used for hunting rabbits for people. They are to flush rabbits, capture them, kill them, and finally retrieve them for their hunters.

These impressive hunting skills made them a favorite among 15th-century sailors, too. It was also around this time when the Portuguese Podengo Pequenos were taken aboard ships to the United States. It’s their job to keep the boat free of rodents.

However, despite reaching the Americas early, the breed wasn’t recognized until 2011. Two years later, they were classified under the hound class and now ranks 154th among the most popular dogs in the US.

Temperament

Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are playful, charming, and lively dogs. They love pleasing their owners, and since they’re highly active dogs, don’t expect them to lay on the couch for too long.

These dogs love playing games, so it’s best to have a large yard or a park nearby where they can enjoy running. This will also help keep their temperament manageable when they’re indoors.

Just remember to keep them leashed if you’re not in a securely fenced yard. These dogs have strong prey instincts and will chase whatever small moving thing his eyes see.

As these dogs were bred as hunters, they will make great companion dogs. They also get along well with other people, especially if you socialize them at an early age.

These alert dogs will make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs in your home too. But just a warning though, they can also be quite the barkers and diggers.

Training this dog may come easy, as this is an intelligent dog breed. However, it’s advisable to start training early if you want the best results. You should also provide firm and consistent leadership, so he knows you’re the boss.

This breed can be independent, so encourage him to participate by giving him lots of positive reinforcements through food and praises.

Care Requirements

Nutrition: Portuguese Podengo Pequenos can live on any type of diet as long as it’s high-quality and contains a balance of the essential nutrients. Meals should be made exactly for a small breed with high energy. The number of calories in a day should depend on their age, metabolism, and activity level. So, we highly recommend asking your vet for a feeding guide to avoid overfeeding them. If you’re planning to give dog treats, include them in your counting of calories. You should only buy high-quality ingredients to ensure that your dog will always be healthy. The same goes if you’re buying dog food and dog treats. Just remember to check the label and make sure it doesn’t contain fillers, additives, and by-products that can harm your dog. Check if your dog has any allergies to any food ingredients and make sure to stay away from those.
Grooming: Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are very easy-to-care dogs. They have a wash-and-wear type of coat that comes in two varieties: smooth and wired. However, regardless of the variety you have, the grooming process is the same. The Portuguese Podengo Pequenos coat sheds seasonally, and would only require weekly brushing to keep the shedding to a minimum. However, you might have to brush daily as the shedding season comes. Baths, however, can be given occasionally. But you can also wipe them down clean with a cloth once a week. And don’t forget to clean out their ears too. Nails should be trimmed once every two weeks, or as needed if your dog’s nails grow too fast.
Exercise: Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are energetic and active dogs that need their regular exercise. They are best fit in homes with a large fenced yard where he can enjoy a good daily run. However, if you don’t have a big yard, you can take them brisk walking daily, and on a leash. As these dogs were bred to hunt rabbits, it’s instinct to follow where their noses want to take them.
Health: Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan. But they are also prone to some health conditions that you should be aware of. For these dogs, you would only need to worry about three health conditions: hip dysplasia, eye disorders, and patellar luxation. There are screen tests that your dog can take to detect these diseases while at an early stage. Other than these three, your dog may also suffer from other hereditary diseases, so it’s recommended to meet at least one of its parents. You should also continuously monitor your dog’s behavior, and if you notice any changes, take them to the vet immediately.
Lifespan: The life expectancy of Portuguese Podengo Pequenos is 12-15 years.

Famous Spanish Portuguese Podengo Pequenos

Mr. Wiggles: A Portuguese Podengo Pequeno who won in Best Bred by 2018 in AKC National Championship
David: The first Portuguese Podengo Pequeno to win a hound group