At a glance the quick version
By size: small 20-30 cm and 4-6 kg; medium 40-54 cm and 16-20 kg; large 55-70 cm and 20-30 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
smooth or wire coat
Comes in two coats: a short, smooth one and a longer, rough wire one, both of medium thickness with no undercoat. The body is lean and athletic, with upright ears and a primitive, sighthound-like outline.13
Personality what they are like
A bright, spirited and down-to-earth dog. It is friendly and clever, playful at home and quick on its feet outdoors, and makes a pleasant, well-mannered companion.124
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An athletic hunter that loves to run and chase. The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 30 minutes of exercise a day for the small size; the bigger sizes were bred for longer hunting days.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low-maintenance coat; about one brush a week is enough for the smooth variety.2
Home where they are happiest
Adapts to family life if it gets outdoor time to run in a safe, enclosed area, as it enjoys chasing.42
Company who they like around
Friendly and sociable; the medium and small sizes traditionally hunt in packs as well as alone.23
The story where it all began
The Podengo probably goes back to ancient dogs that reached Iberia with Phoenician and Roman traders and then adapted to Portugal's varied terrain. From the 15th century the small type sailed on Portuguese ships to keep rats down. The breed was organised in the early 20th century, and the standard for the large size was set in 1953.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It comes in three sizes (small, medium and large) and two coat types, and the three sizes are not bred with each other.3
- 2
Small Podengos travelled on Portuguese caravels as ship ratters during the age of exploration.1
- 3
The large size can hunt hare or even deer, while the small size searches out rabbits in burrows and rocky ground.1
- 4
Its name is often translated as warren hound or rabbit hunter.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 94, Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 7 Primitive type hunting dogs; standard dated 04.11.2008. Three sizes and two coat types.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Hound group; mainly the small smooth-coated variety is seen in the UK.2
- AKC
- The small size is listed as the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno in the Hound group.4
- Clube Português de Canicultura
- Recognised in its home country.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Portuguese Podengo. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 94, Podengo Português fci.beused for group, sizes, coat, colours, uses, history
- The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Podengo royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Portuguese Podengo en.wikipedia.orgused for history, sizes, fun facts
- AKC: Portuguese Podengo Pequeno akc.orgused for temperament, activity
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.