AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, a primitive breed, is known for its small size, erect ears, wedge shaped head, and two coat types, smooth and wire. It hunts by sight, scent and hearing, and is related to the Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound, Cirneco dell'Etna and Basenji. The smooth coat is short and very dense, while the wire coat (rough) is long and harsh, with a bearded muzzle. Preferred coat color is yellow or fawn, with or without white markings.

A Look Back
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, a National Dog of Portugal, is derived from the ancient hounds that came to the Iberian Peninsula with the Phoenician traders from the area of Asia Minor around 1,000 BC. This rustic breed was developed to hunt the harsh terrain of Portugal and penetrate the thickets to gain access to its prey, which was typically rabbits. The first Portuguese Podengo Pequeno came to the United States in the 1990's.

Right Breed for You?
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a very lively and intelligent breed that is easy to train, and many have done well in agility, obedience and rally. Since it was bred to hunt all day long and be ready to go again the next day, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Exercise should be done on-leash or in a secure, fenced area due to their chase instinct. Occasional brushing and bathing will maintain their coat.

If you are considering purchasing a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno puppy, learn more here.

© The American Kennel Club, Inc.

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Breed Standard

Miscellaneous Class

Eligible Registries: Any Acceptable Domestic or Foreign Registry

Contact: Portuguese Podengo Pequenos of America, Jean Evanoff, jaevanoff@yahoo.com

General Appearance
A wedge shaped head (a four sided pyramid) with erect ears, a sickle shaped tail, a sound skeleton, well muscled: very lively and intelligent, sober and rustic. This is a breed of moderation.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Size: The height is 8 to 12 inches and the weight is 9 to 13 pounds. Proportions: The distance from the withers to the bottom of the chest is one half the total height. The length from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks is 20% longer than the height.

Head
Lean broad based wedge shaped as a four-sided pyramid when viewed from the top or in profile. A large base and a definite pointed muzzle. Skull: Flat, almost straight in profile. Prominent brow bone. Barely perceptible frontal furrow. Relatively flat between the ears. Prominent occiput. Planes: The plane of the muzzle very slightly diverges downward from the plane of the skull.  Stop: Barely defined. Eyes: Very lively expression with small almond shape set slightly oblique. Not rounded or prominent. Eye color ranges from honey to dark brown in accordance with the coat. Muzzle:  Curved, when seen from the top. A straight profile which is shorter than the skull, broader at the base, and narrowing to the tip. Cheeks: Lean and obliquely set.  Nose; Tapered, obliquely truncated, and prominent at the tip; black or darker colored than the coat.  Lips:  Close fitting, thin, firm and well pigmented. Jaw/Teeth: Scissor bite. Normal occlusion of both jaws. Ears: Set obliquely at the level of the eyes, straight, with high mobility, upright or tilted forward when attentive. Pointed, triangular and wider at the base, thin, longer than the width at the base.  

Neck, Topline and Body
Neck:  A harmonious transition from head to body. Straight with a slight arch at the nape. Medium in length, well proportioned, strong and muscled. Very dry without dewlaps. Top line: Level. Withers: Only slightly visible. Back:  Straight and long. Loin: Level, broad and well muscled. Croup: Straight or very slightly sloping and medium size. Well muscled. Chest: The chest reaches to the elbow. It is long and of medium width. The ribcage is slightly sprung. Moderate fore chest. Underline: The belly is lean and slightly tucked up. Tail: Medium high set and of medium length. Strong, thick, and tapered with a lightly feathered underside. At rest it falls curved and reaches to the hock joint. In action it rises to the horizontal slightly curved or vertical in the shape of a sickle. A curled tail is a serious fault.

Forequarters
Shoulder:  Blade moderately laid back. Shoulder and upper arm angle is moderate. Elbow: Well tucked in. Forearm: Straight, long, muscled. Pastern: Short, lean, strong and slightly sloping. Feet: Oval, strong, tight, slightly arched. Strong nails and tough firm pads.

Hindquarters
Upright when seen from the back and side. Well muscled and lean. Upper thigh: Long and of medium width, muscled. Stifle joint: Moderate angulation. Second thigh: Long, lean, strong, and well muscled. Hock joint: Medium height, lean, strong, moderately angled. Rear pastern: Strong, short, straight. Without dewclaws. Hind feet: As in front.

Coat
There are two varieties; Smooth coat which is short and very dense. Wire coat (rough) is long and harsh. The hair on the muzzle is longer (bearded) on the wire coat variety. The wire coat is not as dense as the smooth variety. Both varieties are without undercoat. Skin on both varieties is thin and close fitting. A very rustic breed shown naturally. Groomed but not trimmed or sculpted. Dogs whose coat has been altered by excessive sculpting, clipping or artificial means shall be penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition. A silky coat is a fault.

Color
Yellow or Fawn. Light, medium or dark shades are acceptable. The color can be solid or with white markings or white with markings of the above colors. The following colors are accepted but not preferred. Black or brown, as solid colors or with white markings. White with markings of the accepted colors

Skin
Mucus membranes are preferably dark pigmented or always darker than the coat. Skin is thin and tight.

Gait
Light trot, easy and agile movements.

Temperament
Very lively and intelligent. A natural rabbit hunter either alone or in a small pack. They seek rabbits among rocks and thick shrub. A companion who willingly serves as a watchdog.

Faults
Behavior- Signs of shyness.
Back skull/muzzle: Parallel planes
Jaws- Level bite.
Nose- Partial lack of pigment
Neck- Ewe necked or severely arched.
Body-Arched top line.
Croup- Excessive slope.
Coat- Silky and/or with undercoat

Serious Faults
Skull/Muzzle- Convergent planes
Nose- Total lack of pigment
Ears- Rounded
Belly- Excessive tuckup
Tail- Curled

Disqualifying Faults
Behavior- Aggressive or overly shy.
Jaws- Undershot or overshot.
Eyes- Of different color.
Ears- Folded or hanging
Color- Brindle, Black and Tan, Tricolor, Solid White.