portuguese_podengo

The Portuguese Podengo Breed Standard was first approved and published in January 2006 and last updated in January 2009.

General Appearance

Small,sturdy, slightly longer than high

Characteristics

A primitve dog used primarily for hunting rabbits. Akeen 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, set square to the jaw.

Neck

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

Forequarters

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

Body

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

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 dense.

Wire coated:Rough and harsh, but not as dense as the smooth 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 listed colours.

Size

20-30 cms. or 8 to 12 Inches.

Weight

4 to 5 kgs or 9 to 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.

Note

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