It took us a long time to be emotionally ready to bring another canine friend into our home after losing Petey (I miss that dog every day). After moving to Lisbon, we finally made the choice to adopt a dog. The process for adopting a dog in Portugal was easy. Picking one pup from all those gorgeous dogs at the rescue was not. Antonio and I kept going back to this cute blonde dog. He kept standing on his back legs and he won our heart. Turns out we adopted a medium Portuguese Podengo (also known as Cão Coelheiro – the rabbit dog).
Portuguese Podengo
There are 6 types of Portuguese Podengo Dogs I didn’t know he was a Podengo until I started walking him around in Lisbon at Parque Eduardo VII. People kept stopping me and telling me the breed name. Once I figured out what they were saying (I’m still learning Portuguese and they eat vowels like it’s breakfast), I came home and googled the breed. It was confirmed in seconds. I am now the proud guardian of a medium, smooth Portuguese Podengo.
What do Portuguese Podengos Look Like?
Podengos like to chew They come in three sizes: small, medium and large (Santino Maria is a medium). Their weight can range according to their size with small Podengos starting at 4 kilos (8 lbs) and large ones getting to 30 kilos (66 lbs). They’re super active, happy, and can be great companions who don’t do so well when left alone. It is said they are a healthy breed that can live from 12-16 years. Santino Maria is the breed standard Portuguese Podengos for his length at 11kgs. Thin but not too thin. Their coat can be either short and smooth (that’s our guy) or long and coarse. They’re usually blonde with white markings on top of their head, at the tip of their tail and on their paws. They should have beards with eyelashes noting their coat. Podengos are great looking dogs regardless of size. Their head looks like a triangle (very similar to Pharaoh hounds). They’ve got pointed ears that are super tall (and sometimes break when they’re being attentive). They’ve got huge chest cavities (they need lots of air for running after prey – they’re super fast), and have beautiful muscle. Overall, they don’t have the same body issues that other dog breeds have when it comes to bone and muscle issues.
Portuguese Podengo History
Our dog in Parque Eduardo VII As their appearance hints, they are descendants of Egyptian Pharaoh Hounds. It is said they made it to Portugal on Phoenician ships around 700 BC. They were trained to become hunters and still are, especially in the north of Portugal. This is actually pretty bad for them. The people at Pegadas e Bigodes (the rescue where we adopted him), told us that hunters keep Podengos for about a year. They keep them in small cages and they keep them hungry (because they think this will make them better hunters). Then, after the dogs have served their duty, they abandon them. It’s quite sad. Actually, when you go outside of the cities, most dogs are kept on a chain outside people’s homes all alone. That’s one of the few things in Portugal that really makes me sad. Luckily, they are starting to change things up when it comes to animal neglect and cruelty in Portugal.
Portuguese Podengo Personality
Portuguese Podengos are happy, active and loving dogs Since they were bred for hunting, they are smart, active, and alert. They love to sniff and those big ears pick up every sound in the area. This also means that they need tons of exercise and that they get bored easily. If you’re not an active person, Podengos are probably not the right dog for you. If you haven’t had a dog before, I would not necessarily recommend this breed. They’re semi-obedient and require tons of training. I tried letting Santino off-leash, but he’s pretty stubborn and does not always come back when called. He’s also easily distracted and will ignore the comeback command. Apparently, this is typical of the breed. I know that I can only let him off leash in certain situations such as when he’s around tons of other dogs to keep his attention focused on one place.
Portuguese Podengo Socialization
It was very good for us that Santino lived at the shelter. He was already used to dogs and we did not have to socialize him to dogs. He wants to play with every dog he sees. Humans are a different story, there is no aggression at all, but plenty of fear. He still needs to be socialized with humans. He is not a fan of men, especially if he is wearing hats. If you end up with a Podengo, I suggest you do heavy training on socialization.
Podengo Attachment
Portuguese Dog Breed Podengo One thing we learned very quickly is how attached Podengos can get. They don’t like being alone and do better if you work from home or if there is another dog in the household. They can get separation anxiety when left alone, so begin to work at this early. Our little guy is already way too attached to me, so we’re working on making sure this does not become an issue later.
Do Podengos Bark A Lot?
Ours doesn’t. At least not yet and we’re working to discourage that behavior. Turns out because they are hunting dogs, they were bred not to be barkers – it would spook the animals they were chasing. When they do, they have a very particular sound to their voice and they are known to sing. Santino has a very cute high pitched bark. We thought our Podengo was mute for the first two weeks of being with us. He only barked when the cable guy came in to do repairs. Now he only barks when we are outside and he is startled by runners or when he sees people on bikes.
Do Podengos Shed?
Soooo….we were told Podengos only shed twice a year. Ours has been shedding plenty. Podengos aren’t supposed to have an undercoat. Perhaps Santino is shedding for his bi-yearly shed, but we’ll have to see what happens.
Podengos & Water
They like it but aren’t strong swimmers, so if you’re going to a body of water with a strong current. Try to keep them out. Also, don’t force your pup into the water. Let them discover it themselves.
Feeding Your Podengo
Podengos do well with a routine, so establish one early. Santino eats after his morning walk and before we have dinner. You should also keep their diet fairly stable so their tummy does not get upset. We do a simple diet of chicken, rice, and vegetables that we cook in the pressure cooker. One chicken lasts him about 3 days. I was told they tend to get picky as they get older. I see this already in our guy. Unlike Petey who ate anything that was put in front of him, Santino only likes a few things.
Portuguese Podengo Chewing Behavior
Ours loves to chew. He really enjoys doing so on our shoes, so we have to be extra careful not to leave any lying around. We’ve armed our home with plenty of chew toys and he loves his kong. We’re still learning as we go with Santino Maria. He still gets startled by Antonio, especially if he is wearing a hat, but we see a little improvement daily. If you have questions about Podengos or about becoming an expat in Lisbon, just leave a comment. … Antonio chiming in: They don’t kiss you as much as Petey did. But I love him none the less.
16 thoughts on “Everything You Need to Know About the Portuguese Podengo”
Phil
Hello There, I have a Podengo medio that was abandoned and starving, she has been with us for 18 months and we enjoy every minute. TD, short for that dog was pretty much wild and it took 6 months before she would come to me, now she has become our dog but only if she chooses. We live in rural place near Leiria and she has a friend Bella, a Jack Russel, long legged so similar size. TD is great on a lead but let her off and she will hunt for hours but always comes back…… eventually. She is black with brown lowlites never seen one that colour they all seem to be brown. Nice to hear your story. Regards Phil
Blanca Valbuena
Nice to meet you Phil!
Congrats on making a Podengo friend, I’m so in love with the breed and now I see them everywhere (where I was not even aware of them before). It’s amazing how self-aware they are…and it is true, it takes time to earn their trust. Santino (our Podengo) is an apartment dog, so he has not had much of a chance to hunt, we do let him off lead where we know there are no cars…and it’s a challenge to get him to come back. He is getting better at that though). He managed to catch a pigeon one day. I felt so badly for that poor bird. Didn’t damage or hurt it, just caught it and brought it to us. I was definitely not expecting that.
Santino sends TD his regards 🙂 Blanca
Susan Nachman
Dear Blanca, Just stumbled on your site and it is so nice to have found someone in the world who shares all of my passions – travel, food, cultural exchanges and dogs!
I am a volunteer at our local animal shelter in Raanana, Israel which is close to Tel Aviv. Six years ago we adopted a 4 month old puppy who was found wandering and taken to the shelter. On the papers it was written he is a terrier mix. Soon, people began approaching us to ask if he is the same kind of dog who appears in the movies. One person who I met at the veterinary clinic with a similar dog told me that he is a Portuguese Podengos. A WHAT? Never heard of it. Then I read the profile….yes indeed…. curly, wire haired. Sticks to me like a shadow. Hates to stay on his own. Needs to go out and explore. Endless energy! Jumps and stands on two legs. Highly intelligent. He is also the healthiest dog I have ever had.
Like you, I cook for Jesse. A big pot of chicken, turkey or salmon together with carrot, pumpkin or sweet potato. Lots of parsley ( which is a flea deterrent.) Zucchini, celery and whatever else is in season along with a cup of rice.
I doubt Jesse is 100 per cent Podengos but no doubt he has overwhelming DNA if the breed. They aren’t for everyone because they need a lot of stimulation but we are crazy about him and he goes everywhere.
I just got back from 8 days in Portugal…mostly Lisbon and was sorry to say I didn’t see one Podengo. Saw a few dogs here and there but nothing like Tel Aviv which has dogs EVERY place including many high tech companies.
Lisbon was great! Friendly people, good English, good food including seafood which is hard to find here….totally user friendly public transportation. We generally avoid tourist places and restaurants when we travel. One too I always give people is to go off season if possible. Summer is the worst with crowds, high prices and heat.
Warm Regards,
Susan
Blanca Valbuena
So nice to meet you, Susan.
I had never heard of Podengos until after I adopted Santino. Now I see them everywhere in Lisbon. I take him to the park every day and there are about 3 other Podengos that are there daily. Jesse sounds so similar to Santino in temperament. They really do stick to you like glue. I have heard some awesome things about Tel Aviv, but I haven’t made it there yet. Hope you don’t mind if I message you for tips when I finally make it there.
🙂 Blanca
Susan Nachman
I would be delighted! Like Portugal, best time is November till May.
We do international exchange programs every year and are always happy to help.
I can send you a pic of Jesse via WhatsApp or email.
Susan
maggie
Hello, i have just been reading your story and it’s very interesting and informative. I am particularly interested as we are shortly going to adpot a rescue Podengo Medio and need tips on how to keep them etc., Our dog is presently beeing looked after by a foster carer who found her wandering close to where she lives. We saw her when we went to visit the foster carer as she also does have dogs to stay over with her and our other dog is doing this soon. As soon as we set eyes on this beautiful little dog we fell in love with her. She is so sweet and yes stuck like glue to us. so we said that we will adopt her. She seems to have taken to our other dog Pero very well also. Really looking forward to bringing her home with us.
Blanca Valbuena
Congratulations on the new member of your family Maggie!
I didn’t even know that Podengos were a thing. I thought my pup was a mutt…he has been absolutely wonderful. We just had a friend come visit and she fell in love with our Podengo.
My guy is pretty easy to take care of. We make him food daily in the Instant Pot, walk him and run him plenty (he is a wonderful running partner), and we found a vet we love. They do get attached to their humans…so they are needy – but all that neediness is love.
Make sure to send me a picture here. I’d love to see what she looks like 🙂
Blanca
Isira Makuloluwe
We just adopted two Portuguese Podangos who appeared on our doorstep. Apparently a lot of them get abandoned or killed during hunting season if they do not perform well. These two are female and pretty much as described in your blog.
One looks very traumatized and avoids contact with people where is the other one is extremely sociable and very adventurous.
They are extremely agile animals and the friendly one has managed to actually jump our main gate which is very high wonders around for a couple of hours and comes back. Therefore it is necessary to sterilize them if they are female unless you want to have a lot of babies…
our 3-year-old is delighted with them and they are extremely friendly and caring dogs. one advantage is that they are not needy and therefore they do the thing. This is useful if you have external spaces like a garden or terrace.
They are a pure breed animal. Glad to read the history of these dogs as being from the Pharaohs dating back to 700 BC Phoenicia.
We are based in Portugal in the town of Ericeira near to Lisbon.
It’s been 3 weeks but any questions feel free to ask.
Blanca Valbuena
Congrats on your new friends Isira!
It’s so sad what’s done to them. Sadly, there are atrocities that happen to dogs everywhere and it really made me sad to hear it happens here too. One of the few things I don’t like about Portugal.
And you are right. Podengos are so fast and agile. Mine loves jumping on anything that is high and chasing after anything fast.
Have you noticed any other interesting things about your Podengos?
Blanca
alano
oui une des maltraitances car en certains pays les lévriers sont interdis de chasse si je ne m’abuse, toutes manières certains homme s’acclament amour du chien mais de part leur arrière pensé ils en sont malsains, du simple particulier a la bureaucratie en toutes classes sociales, et j’avoue le lévrier portugais est l’un de mes fétiches car l’est découvert il y a environs 20 ans en cherchant sur le bull en terrier en Red nose que j’ais possédé avec son copain black nose ce qui ma fait découvrir très indirectement d’autres races canines et belles pour certaines d’entre elles comme le lévrier portugais et j’avoue je suis content. cordialement jeune fille
Hello There,
I have a Podengo medio that was abandoned and starving, she has been with us for 18 months and we enjoy every minute. TD, short for that dog was pretty much wild and it took 6 months before she would come to me, now she has become our dog but only if she chooses. We live in rural place near Leiria and she has a friend Bella, a Jack Russel, long legged so similar size. TD is great on a lead but let her off and she will hunt for hours but always comes back…… eventually. She is black with brown lowlites never seen one that colour they all seem to be brown. Nice to hear your story.
Regards Phil
Nice to meet you Phil!
Congrats on making a Podengo friend, I’m so in love with the breed and now I see them everywhere (where I was not even aware of them before). It’s amazing how self-aware they are…and it is true, it takes time to earn their trust. Santino (our Podengo) is an apartment dog, so he has not had much of a chance to hunt, we do let him off lead where we know there are no cars…and it’s a challenge to get him to come back. He is getting better at that though). He managed to catch a pigeon one day. I felt so badly for that poor bird. Didn’t damage or hurt it, just caught it and brought it to us. I was definitely not expecting that.
Santino sends TD his regards 🙂
Blanca
Dear Blanca,
Just stumbled on your site and it is so nice to have found someone in the world who shares all of my passions – travel, food, cultural exchanges and dogs!
I am a volunteer at our local animal shelter in Raanana, Israel which is close to Tel Aviv. Six years ago we adopted a 4 month old puppy who was found wandering and taken to the shelter. On the papers it was written he is a terrier mix. Soon, people began approaching us to ask if he is the same kind of dog who appears in the movies. One person who I met at the veterinary clinic with a similar dog told me that he is a Portuguese Podengos. A WHAT? Never heard of it. Then I read the profile….yes indeed…. curly, wire haired. Sticks to me like a shadow. Hates to stay on his own. Needs to go out and explore. Endless energy! Jumps and stands on two legs. Highly intelligent. He is also the healthiest dog I have ever had.
Like you, I cook for Jesse. A big pot of chicken, turkey or salmon together with carrot, pumpkin or sweet potato. Lots of parsley ( which is a flea deterrent.) Zucchini, celery and whatever else is in season along with a cup of rice.
I doubt Jesse is 100 per cent Podengos but no doubt he has overwhelming DNA if the breed. They aren’t for everyone because they need a lot of stimulation but we are crazy about him and he goes everywhere.
I just got back from 8 days in Portugal…mostly Lisbon and was sorry to say I didn’t see one Podengo. Saw a few dogs here and there but nothing like Tel Aviv which has dogs EVERY place including many high tech companies.
Lisbon was great! Friendly people, good English, good food including seafood which is hard to find here….totally user friendly public transportation. We generally avoid tourist places and restaurants when we travel. One too I always give people is to go off season if possible. Summer is the worst with crowds, high prices and heat.
Warm Regards,
Susan
So nice to meet you, Susan.
I had never heard of Podengos until after I adopted Santino. Now I see them everywhere in Lisbon. I take him to the park every day and there are about 3 other Podengos that are there daily. Jesse sounds so similar to Santino in temperament. They really do stick to you like glue. I have heard some awesome things about Tel Aviv, but I haven’t made it there yet. Hope you don’t mind if I message you for tips when I finally make it there.
🙂
Blanca
I would be delighted! Like Portugal, best time is November till May.
We do international exchange programs every year and are always happy to help.
I can send you a pic of Jesse via WhatsApp or email.
Susan
Hello, i have just been reading your story and it’s very interesting and informative.
I am particularly interested as we are shortly going to adpot a rescue Podengo Medio and need tips on how to keep them etc.,
Our dog is presently beeing looked after by a foster carer who found her wandering close to where she lives.
We saw her when we went to visit the foster carer as she also does have dogs to stay over with her and our other dog is doing this soon.
As soon as we set eyes on this beautiful little dog we fell in love with her. She is so sweet and yes stuck like glue to us.
so we said that we will adopt her. She seems to have taken to our other dog Pero very well also.
Really looking forward to bringing her home with us.
Congratulations on the new member of your family Maggie!
I didn’t even know that Podengos were a thing. I thought my pup was a mutt…he has been absolutely wonderful. We just had a friend come visit and she fell in love with our Podengo.
My guy is pretty easy to take care of. We make him food daily in the Instant Pot, walk him and run him plenty (he is a wonderful running partner), and we found a vet we love. They do get attached to their humans…so they are needy – but all that neediness is love.
Make sure to send me a picture here. I’d love to see what she looks like 🙂
Blanca
We just adopted two Portuguese Podangos who appeared on our doorstep. Apparently a lot of them get abandoned or killed during hunting season if they do not perform well. These two are female and pretty much as described in your blog.
One looks very traumatized and avoids contact with people where is the other one is extremely sociable and very adventurous.
They are extremely agile animals and the friendly one has managed to actually jump our main gate which is very high wonders around for a couple of hours and comes back. Therefore it is necessary to sterilize them if they are female unless you want to have a lot of babies…
our 3-year-old is delighted with them and they are extremely friendly and caring dogs. one advantage is that they are not needy and therefore they do the thing. This is useful if you have external spaces like a garden or terrace.
They are a pure breed animal. Glad to read the history of these dogs as being from the Pharaohs dating back to 700 BC Phoenicia.
We are based in Portugal in the town of Ericeira near to Lisbon.
It’s been 3 weeks but any questions feel free to ask.
Congrats on your new friends Isira!
It’s so sad what’s done to them. Sadly, there are atrocities that happen to dogs everywhere and it really made me sad to hear it happens here too. One of the few things I don’t like about Portugal.
And you are right. Podengos are so fast and agile. Mine loves jumping on anything that is high and chasing after anything fast.
Have you noticed any other interesting things about your Podengos?
Blanca
oui une des maltraitances car en certains pays les lévriers sont interdis de chasse si je ne m’abuse, toutes manières certains homme s’acclament amour du chien mais de part leur arrière pensé ils en sont malsains, du simple particulier a la bureaucratie en toutes classes sociales, et j’avoue le lévrier portugais est l’un de mes fétiches car l’est découvert il y a environs 20 ans en cherchant sur le bull en terrier en Red nose que j’ais possédé avec son copain black nose ce qui ma fait découvrir très indirectement d’autres races canines et belles pour certaines d’entre elles comme le lévrier portugais et j’avoue je suis content. cordialement jeune fille