PORTUGUESE PODENGO PEQUENO BREED STANDARD

Approved August 2009 by the President of the Portuguese Kennel Club (CPC), Carla Molinari and the President  of the Portuguese Podengo Club of Portugal (CPP), Vitor Veiga.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: Primitive type dog, its probable origin lies in the ancient dogs brought by the Phoenicians and Romans to the Iberian Peninsula in the Classic Antiquity. It was subsequently influenced by the introduction of dogs accompanying the Moors in their invasions in the 8th century. It adapted to the Portuguese territory and climate, originating what is nowadays the Portuguese rabbit hunter. It evolved morphologically throughout the centuries due to its functionality, with the small variety being selected, from the 15th century on, as a ratter on the Caravels of the Portuguese Navigators.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The head is wedge-shaped with prick ears. The body has no exaggerations in any of its proportions. Sickle shaped tail. Skeleton sound and well muscled. Two coat varieties. Smooth Coat and Wire Coat.

SIZE AND PROPORTION: Size: The height is 8 to 12 inches and weight is 9 to 13 pounds. Proportions: The distance from withers to bottom of chest is one half the total height. The length from the point of shoulder to the buttocks is 20% longer than the height at the withers. Substance: Strong bone. Substance is in proportion with overall size.

  HEAD: Lean, broad-based wedge when viewed from the top or in profile. A large base and a definite pointed muzzle.
   Expression:: A bright lively expression. Eyes: Small, almond-shaped, slightly oblique. Not round or prominent. Eye color ranges from honey to dark brown in accordance with the coat. Ears: Set obliquely with medium high set and of medium length. Erect and mobile held vertically or tilting forward slightly when attentive. Pointed, wider at the base, triangular, and thin, longer than their width at the base. Skull: Flat, almost straight in profile. Prominent brow bone.  Barely perceptible frontal furrow. Relatively flat between the ears with a prominent occipital protuberance. Stop: Barely defined. Planes: The plane of the muzzle diverges slightly downward from the plane of the skull. Parallel planes are a fault and convergent planes are a serious fault. Muzzle: Pointed, curved when seen from the front with a straight profile, slightly shorter than back skull: broader at the base than at the tip. Nose: Tapered, prominent at the tip, always darker than the coat. A partial lack of pigment is a fault and a total lack of pigment is a serious fault. Lips: Close fitting, thin, well pigmented. Jaws/ Bite: Scissor bite with normal occlusion of both jaws. Cheeks: Lean and obliquely set when seen from the front.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY:  NECK: Makes a harmonious transition from head to body. Straight, long, well proportioned, strong and well muscled; without dewlap.  Body: The withers are only slightly visible. Back: Straight and level. The loin is straight, broad, and well muscled. The croup is straight or slightly sloping and of medium size. Broad and well muscled. Chest: Reaches to the elbow. Long; of medium width. The sternum slopes back and upward. Rib cage is slightly sprung. Moderate fore chest. Underline: Slightly uprising bottom line, lean belly and flanks slightly tucked up. Tail:  Medium high set and of medium length. Strong, thick, tapered with a slightly feathered underside. At rest falls slightly curved between rear legs down to the hock joint.  In action, rises to the horizontal. Slightly up to the vertical or a sickle shape. A curled tail is a severe fault.

FOREQUARTERS; Shoulder; Long, slanted and well muscled with an open scapula humerus angle. Elbow; Well tucked in. Forearm: Straight, long, muscled. Pastern: Short, strong, slightly sloping. Feet: Oval; Toes long, strong, tight and slightly arched. with short, strong nails and tough firm pads.

HINDQUARTERS: Upright when seen from the back and side Upper thigh: Long and of medium width. Well muscled. Stifle joint: Open Femur-Tibia angle. Lower Thigh: Long, lean, strong, and muscled. Hock Joint: Medium height, lean, strong with moderate angulations. Rear pastern: Strong, short, straight. Without dewclaws. Hind Feet: As in front.

COAT: There are two varieties: Smooth coat that is short and very dense. Wire Coat (rough), which is of medium length, harsh with a distinct beard. The Wire Coat (rough) is not as dense as the smooth coat. Both varieties are without undercoat. Skin on both varieties is thin and close fitting. Shown naturally. Groomed but not clipped. A silky or soft coat is a fault.

COLOR: yellow or fawn. Light, medium, or dark shades are acceptable. The color can be solid with white markings or white with yellow or fawn markings. The following colors are accepted but not preferred: black or brown as solid colors with white markings or white with black or brown markings.

GAIT: A light trot with easy, agile movement.

TEMPERAMENT: Very lively and intelligent. A natural rabbit hunter, either alone or in small packs. Seeks rabbits among rocks and thick scrub. Also used as watch dogs and companion.

Faults:
          Parallel planes
          Partial lack of pigment
          Ewe- neck, severely arched neck
          Body-arched topline
          Croup-too sloping
          Silky or soft coat.

Serious faults;
          Convergent planes
          Ears-rounded
          Total lack of pigment
          Curled tail
          Bottomline too tucked up

Disqualifications:
           Behavior-aggressive
           Eyes of two different colors
           Bent or lopped ears
           Undershot or overshot bite
           Colors: brindle, black and tan, tri-color, totally white.

Downloadable copy:

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Standard (English interpretation)
Approved August 2009 by the President of the Portuguese Kennel Club (CPC), Carla Molinari and the President  of the Portuguese Podengo Club of Portugal (CPP), Vitor Veiga.