Portuguese Podengo Grande
- Large
- Miscellaneous Class
The Portuguese Podengo Grande is the largest of the three Podengo sizes, at 22 to 28 inches and 44 to 66 pounds. Bred in Portugal to hunt big game, it is a lively, intelligent, level-headed dog at home.
- Height
- 22 to 28
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 44 to 66
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 15
- years, median 12.5
- Senior from
- 9.4
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Alert, independent, intelligent
- Coat
- Smooth, Wiry, medium
- Origin
- Portugal
The Portuguese Podengo Grande is the largest of the three Podengo sizes, standing 22 to 28 inches and weighing 44 to 66 pounds. Unlike the Xolo sizes, the Podengo sizes were shaped for different quarry, and the standard is explicit about it: the Grande hunts big game, the Medio works rabbits in a pack or alone, and the Pequeno searches rabbits out of holes and rocks. All three also serve as watch dogs and companions.
It is a primitive type: a quadrangular, pyramid-shaped head, large erect ears carried high and mobile, a sickle tail, and a well-muscled, almost square frame. Lively and intelligent, sober and rustic, it is a working dog rather than a decorative one.
There are two coats, smooth and wire, and both are meant to look natural. A silky coat or an undercoat is a fault, which tells you the breed is not shown trimmed or sculpted and does not need to be kept that way at home.
The breed is old, probably descended from dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula in classical antiquity and later influenced by dogs arriving in the eighth century, and it adapted over centuries to Portuguese terrain and climate.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family5 out of 5
- Good with young children5 out of 5
- Good with other dogs5 out of 5
- Openness to strangers3 out of 5
- Playfulness4 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature3 out of 5
- Adaptability4 out of 5
- Trainability3 out of 5
- Energy level4 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs4 out of 5
- Barking level3 out of 5
- Shedding3 out of 5
- Grooming frequency2 out of 5
- Drooling1 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
A Portuguese Podengo Grande can eat quality commercial dog food or a home-prepared diet supervised and approved by a veterinarian. The food should correspond to the puppy, adult, or senior life stage. Clean, fresh water should remain available.
Some Podengos are prone to weight gain, so calorie intake and body condition need regular attention. Treats can support training, but moderation keeps them from adding too much to the daily intake. The feeding plan should identify which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. A veterinarian should review any concern about the dog's weight or diet.
Grooming
Coat type determines the grooming routine for a Portuguese Podengo Grande. A wirehaired coat sheds in sections and needs regular brushing to remove dead hair. A smooth coat needs less attention, with occasional brushing sufficient. Neither coat should be stripped.
Regular weekly brushing and an occasional bath keep a Podengo clean. Nails need trimming with a clipper or grinder before they overgrow, split, or crack. Ears should be checked regularly and cleared of wax and debris. Teeth also need regular brushing.
Exercise
The Portuguese Podengo Grande is a versatile, athletic hunter. It works alone or in a pack and uses all its senses together with agility, speed, and endurance. Its working drive calls for substantial activity and a job. Energy varies by size: the medium is the more intense and energetic of the two, while the Grande is just as happy to relax at home.
A Portuguese Podengo Grande is playful and quick to learn. Chasing and stalking games come naturally and help expend its mental and physical energy.
Training
Portuguese Podengo Grandes are intelligent and independent. They can surprise an unprepared handler and test limits. Training should stay firm and consistent; without it, an independent Podengo may follow its own interests. Food and play readily motivate the breed and can keep sessions moving smoothly.
Broad early socialization and training classes help develop a relaxed, tolerant adult. The breed's watchful nature can make it less easygoing with strangers, and familiarity develops on the dog's own terms. Hunting instinct may lead a Podengo to view small dogs or cats as prey. Introductions to smaller animals and later contact need supervision.
Health conditions
7 conditions are documented for the Portuguese Podengo Grande.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- Canine Epileptoid Cramping SyndromeNervous System & Behavioral
- CataractsEye
- EpilepsyNervous System & Behavioral
- Legg-Calve-Perthes DiseaseBone & Joint
- Patellar LuxationBone & Joint
Show all 7 conditions Show fewer
Sources
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