Belfalas Podengos

The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient multi-sensory or three-sense hound. The breed traces its origins back to the ancestors of the modern day Pharaoh hound brought into the Mediterranean by Phoenician sailors as they traded around the ancient civilisations of northern Africa and southern Europe. Similar dogs can today be found in Spain, the Canary Islands and Malta.  

The Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). Their coats are either short and 'smooth' or longer and 'wired'. The smooth coated variety is traditional, dating back to the 5th century, whereas the wire coated variety is an outcome of the assimilation of various other breeds during the 20th century. The Podengo has not been bred for the vagaries of human fashion and remains close to the original dog, therefore the breed is healthy and, as a rule, does not suffer from the inherited problems some more highly bred breeds are burdened with.  

All Podengo types are hardy, intelligent and lively dogs, excelling at agility and making fine companions. Loyal and fearless, Podengos are also good house guards and are amenable to training by dog-experienced people and those that enjoy primitive (i.e. strong willed) dog behaviour.

General Appearance 

Small, sturdy, slightly longer than high.   

Characteristics 

A primitive dog used primarily for hunting rabbits. A keen, alert and agile dog who hunts by scent, sight and hearing.   

Temperament 

Sociable, intelligent and lively.   

Head and Skull 

Lean, fine, seen as a broad based wedge when viewed from above and in profile. Flat or slightly arched skull. Occipital bone slightly prominent. Stop moderately defined. Muzzle shorter than the skull, appears as a blunt wedge when in profile, with a slightly protruding nose. Lips thin, black and tight fitting.   

Eyes 

Expressive, moderate in size, not prominent, set obliquely. Colour varies according to coat colour, from light to dark brown.   

Ears 

Triangular, large and thin. Broad at the base tapering to a fine point. Set on medium high and obliquely. Very mobile, carried erect and forward when alert. Length of ear greater than width at base.  

Mouth 

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw.   

Neck 

Straight and of medium length. Strong, well muscled. Free from throatiness.   

Forequarters 

Forelegs straight and parallel. Well laid muscular shoulders. Pasterns short, strong and slightly sloping.   

Body 

Length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttock greater than height at withers. Topline level, slight rise over loin. Moderate forechest. Chest fairly deep, not too wide. Ribs moderately well sprung and carried well back. Underline rising slightly.   

Hindquarters 

Strong and muscular. Moderately angulated with firm hocks and moderate length of rear pasterns. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.   

Feet 

Strong and round, toes tight and well arched. Nails strong, short and preferably dark. Firm pads.   

Tail 

Medium length, high set. Thick at the base tapering to a fine point. Curved over the back when moving. Never curled.   

Gait/Movement 

Swift and light footed. Sound.   

Coat 

Smooth or wire coated. Never trimmed. Skin thin and close fitting.  

Smooth coated: Short and very dense.  

Wire coated: Rough and harsh, but not as dense as the smooth coat and without undercoat. Distinct beard.   

Colour 

Yellow, fawn (in all shades from light to dark), black (diluted or faded), with or without white markings. White only if accompanied by markings of one of the listed colours.   

Size 

Height 20-30 cms (8-12 ins). 

Weight 4-5 kilos (9-11 lbs).   

Faults 

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.   

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.