![]() ![]() Podencos have been mentioned in literature spanning back to the 15th century during which time they were regarded as valued treasures by both royalty and peasants alike. Modern day Spanish Podencos are likely related to the Pharaoh Hound of Malta and the Sicilian Hound of Italy. They have an extensive historyĪlthough their exact origins are murky, it is believed that the Phoenicians brought Egyptian hounds to areas across the Mediterranean around 3,000 BC. Podencos enjoy playing and socializing with other dogs as well. They are very playful and will often do whatever it takes to get your attention. Often regarded as clowns of the dog world, podencos will keep you entertained. Marley and Rita say, “paint us like one of your French girls.” (credit: courtesy of Hayley Burton) If you like to laugh, this is the breed for you Because they are so quick and agile, if not properly leash trained they may dart away potentially putting themselves in danger. From a car to a person on a bike, their instinct is to chase. Podencos are sighthounds and because of this, need training to avoid chasing moving objects. Though they are certainly high energy, they are not nervous or excited barkers. This athleticism would make them a good candidate for agility which provides both mental stimulation and exercise. Because both their standing and running jump is high,a yard with a sturdy fence a must. While out on a hunt, Podencos can often be seen leaping straight up in the air from a standing position in order to spot their prey. With the right type of training and persistence, your Podenco will be rolling over and giving paw in no time. While they can be stubborn, they are highly intelligent and eager to please their owners. There is a myth propagated by hunters in Spain that Podencos are not smart and can’t be trained. They tend to be highly energetic and require daily exercise so they are well suited to active families and individuals. They are affectionate and love to snuggle up with family members. While they can be a bit timid with strangers, Podencos are loyal to their humans. Yuki proudly performing a new trick (credit: courtesy of Joanna Roksz Weiss) Their amber eyes are a striking identifying characteristic. The typical colors for Podencos are shades of dark brown and red usually mixed with white. Although the wire-haired Podencos barely shed, they will need frequent brushing to detangle their fur as well as clipping. Long- and wire-haired Podencos will need a little more upkeep. The smooth-coated varieties shed a moderate amount and simply need occasional brushing to remove dead hair. Podencos have three different coat types: smooth, long, and wire. Podencos have three types of coats to choose from The largest, the Ibizan, weighs up to 66 lbs and stands up to 28 inches tall The average life expectancy for Podencos is between 12-14 years with the smaller varieties living slightly longer. Medium-sized Podencos such as the Canarian average around 44-55 lbs and stand around 21 inches tall. The small varieties range in weight from 18-25 lbs and measure about 13 inches tall. The small Maneto variety resembles a Dachshund with its short, stout legs and long body but it has the face and erect ears of the larger hounds. Due to their differences in size, height and weight also vary. Podencos vary widely in size and are classed as either small, medium, or large. Marley and Rita show the size differences among Podencos. The seven recognized varieties include:Įven though there are breed distinctions, many adopted dogs are simply referred to as Podencos since it can be difficult to determine their lineage. The American Kennel Club recognizes the Ibizan Hound (Podenco Ibicenco) but the other six are solely recognized by the Spanish Kennel Club. In Spain, there are seven recognized variations. ![]() Much like how Pit Bull refers to a range of different breeds, there are many different types of Podencos. Podenco puppy Nata enjoying a day in the park (credit: Ana V. ![]()
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