Portuguese Warren Hound - Portuguese Podengo

FCI:

Portuguese Warren Hound - Portuguese Podengo - Group V - Primitive types, Section 7 Primitive type Hunting Dogs. Recognized in 2003.

General appearance:

This is a very intelligent, smart, alert dog. In its homeland it is still literally used only for hunting, but also as a security guard and a piper, whose responsibilities included the persecution of small carnivores. Breed is further divided into three size types, Large sized is the rarest. Small sized is different in character from Large type, it is a little reminiscent by Pinch and Terriers. Its members are alive and alert, cute and intelligent, curious and fearless. Undoubtedly, thanks to these characteristics from all three sizes, they are most social dogs. Medium sized is under all circumstances it is relatively calm, but especially alert and attentive watchdog, which notifies the owner barking at any unusual events. Not as active and alive as a Small sized, not so aloof to strangers as Large sized. Its character reminds (Large type is an introverted) other breeds -Rabbit dogs (Ibiza, Canary Islands etc.).

Training/Behaviour:

Small sized breed representatives get well with children that are willing and active partakers of games. If they are properly socialized at early age, they have no problems with other dogs or with domestic pets. Definitely it cannot be in outdoor pens, it needs to live in close contact with members of "their" families, but are also sufficiently independent and confident and they are not lacking the necessary sharpness. When there is given the opportunity, they can demonstrate without difficulty their hunting abilities. They are pleased to be engaged in training dog sports, racing and lure coursing, agility training or other dog sports, they run by the same passion, despite the short limbs are excellent jumpers. Main character is not to the owner seemingly as firmly fixed as a Small sized, but that does not mean that it does not have a positive relationship. Dog stays e.g. in the garden, fenced it must be thoroughly secured against burrow. Size is suitable for those owners who want a small, but for various reasons cannot have a large dog. It is very adaptable, not only by its size and nature. Large sized is suitable for people who do not love commotion, but on the contrary prefer peace. It is, however, like the Medium sized, intensive movement, dog requires regular and rather longer walks. It suits, of course, Greyhound racing, both on the track (racing) and in the field (coursing). You obviously cannot do without the appropriate fitness training. Because it was originally intended for hunting a deer dog must naturally be always kept on a leash. Education and leadership of all three sized types we must respect the differences of their founding s character and there are different. The basis, however, it is always sheer consistency, a small benign nature, in middle-kind and with great sensitivity.

We cannot count on its obedience, however, there can be a proper process based on mutual trust and understanding. All types can tolerate high summer temperatures well.

Body:

It's old, at first look. It seems a little noble breed proportional physique, drily, but strongly muscled, strong bones, short or rough coat. Height at withers  Small sized 20-30 cm,  Medium  sized from40 to 55 cm and  Large sized 55-70 cm. Weight of body Small sized 4-5 kg, Medium sized 16-20 kg and Large  sized 25 to 30 kg.

The head is dry approximately the shape of a tetrahedral pyramid with a wide base, towards the nose is rather sharply pointed. Skull should be flat between the earlobes, eyebrows are distinct, longitudinal furrow is barely visible, occipital part should not be pronounced. The frontal slope should be gradual. Muzzle is shorter than skull and toward the nose narrows significantly. Nasal bridge must be straight, the nose is narrow, it must always be deep coloured than the coat. Lips are thin and perfectly fitting to the jaws and teeth. Teeth should be strong, white, pincer bite is not allowed undershot or overshot jaw. Eyes are slightly raised and honey colour to dark brown (depending on coat colour). They are relatively small, sloping. The eyelid rims should be deep in colour than the coat. The earlobes are reasonably high and diagonally, erect, turned forward, moving, mid-sized, thin and wide at the base, triangular, pointed tops.

The neck is straight, the appropriate length, strong, substantially muscled, forms a completely smooth transition between the head and body. Topline body is elongated ridge should be long, horizontal or slightly sloped, loins may be flat or slightly arched, croup is moderately long, broad and muscular, straight or slightly sloping. The tail should be rather high than low, medium length, thick at root and tapering to a point. At rest is carried hanging down, reaching the hocks end of it curves upward. For moving carried higher either horizontally with a slight curve or upwards curved sabre to sickle. It should never be placed in a circle.

Chest forms muscled chest, fairly broad, long enough and deep, ribs are slightly rounded belly is tucked up.

The forelegs are vertical, straight, well muscled. Shoulders are long, oblique and muscular forearms should be long, vertical, dryly muscled wrist are dry, pasterns short, strong and slightly angled. Feet should be round, long fingers, but arched and tight, nails short and strong. Preference is given to a dark-coloured. The pads should be tough and durable. Hind legs are straight and parallel to each other, dryly muscled. Thighs are long, strong, moderately broad, legs heavy, long, ankle should be strong and above the substrate. Hock should be strong, not too long, sloped properly.

Hair is short, i.e. shorter and softer, adjacent and thicker, or gross, i.e. longer, harder and thinner, not so tight-fitting, sometimes even wispy. Undercoat is missing. Colour is usually fawn or yellow, various shades, tan can also be red or black, uniform or with white markings. It occur even white colour characters in these colours.

Large sized is not different from Medium sized except height at withers. Small sized is different from Medium sized in addition it has more rectangular shape of body.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and accurately assessed by the degree of expression with regard to the health and welfare of the male and female.