Portuguese Podengo
About the Portuguese Podengo
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 8-12" |
| Weight | 9-13 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Portuguese Podengos may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Portuguese Podengo
The story behind the Portuguese Podengo
Podengos have existed in Portugal for many centuries as practical rural hunting dogs, part of the broader family of prick-eared Iberian and Mediterranean hunting types, and the small variety was kept by farmers and rural households to hunt rabbit in rocky ground and around buildings, sometimes bolting quarry from cover for nets or larger dogs. Selection was entirely functional, and the three sizes recognised today were traditionally used for different quarry rather than bred as separate breeds. Portuguese authorities formalised standards in the twentieth century covering the small, medium and large forms, each in smooth and wire coats. The small variety became the most widely kept and travelled abroad in the later twentieth century, gaining recognition in Britain and North America. In Portugal it is still used for hunting; elsewhere it is chiefly a companion and sporting-dog breed with modest numbers.
Originally bred for: Rabbit hunter, burrow-bolting dog, farm ratter and watchdog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Portuguese Podengo
A complete diet for an active small dog works well; these are naturally lean, wiry animals and should stay that way. Two modest meals suit most adults, and because they are strongly food-motivated, training treats need subtracting from the daily ration to prevent creeping weight gain.
Watch for: No breed-associated food intolerance is recognised in this hardy landrace-derived breed. Standard advice applies: change foods gradually, and where itching or digestive upset persists, let a vet direct any elimination work rather than cycling through diets independently.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Portuguese Podengo
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.