Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

"Lively Little Hunter"

History

Pequenos are the smallest of the three Portuguese Podengos, and are descendants of dogs brought by Phoenician traders from Asia Minor around 1000 BC. Portuguese farmers used the Pequenos as rabbit hunting dogs, so they have evolved into tireless and lively dogs with excellent senses of smell, sight and hearing. Their heritage also includes trading and exploring, as they were excellent at rodent-control on ships. Portuguese immigrants brought their dogs to the U.S. throughout the 20th century, but they only began to attract attention here in the 1990s.

Temperament

Often described as friendly, hardy and lively, Pequenos are very energetic, needing a long walk or jog daily, and are happiest with a job to do. They love to run and play and appear to enjoy being silly. They are usually good with children and other animals when they are socialized from a young age. Despite being smart and independent working-dogs, they really enjoy time with their human companions; they tend to bond with their families but can be aloof with strangers. They love to run and lounge in the sun.

Appearance

Pequenos have two different coat types – the smooth coated Pequeno has short, very dense hair (pictured above), and a wire coated Pequeno has long, rough hair (pictured left). They can be yellow, fawn, black, brown or white, and may have white markings. They have long, curved tails and erect, pointy ears.

Training

Smart and eager to please, these dogs are relatively easy to train. Despite being a hunting breed, they are more willing to call off a chase when called than other hunting breeds. Use positive reinforcement techniques and be consistent about enforcing the rules. Teach your Pequeno good manners and basic obedience, tricks, sports like agility, and even catch.

Grooming & Care

Pequenos have a single coat and are average shedders, so they’re pretty low maintenance. Brush or comb occasionally to collect dead hairs and keep the skin healthy. Bathing should be infrequent to avoid drying their skin, so bathe only as necessary.

Health Concerns

Since these dogs evolved with very little human intervention, there are not a lot of inherited diseases. They are considered a very healthy breed and can be quite long-lived, but regular wellness visits to the veterinarian can catch non-inherited diseases.

Famous Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

Manny (pictured above, left) was the first licensed Podengo Pequeno in the US and first to show.