THE SMALL PODENGO PORTUGUESE STANDARD

Original name of the breed:

Podengo Portugues Pequeno

Origin:

Portugal

Date of publication of the valid original standard:

25.09.1967

Utilization:

This breed is mainly encountered in the north of the country. Accordin their natural disposition, these dogs are used for hunting rabbits, singly or in a pack. They are also appreciated as good watch dogs.

Classification F.C.I:

Group 5: Spitz and primitive type. Section 7: Primitive type - hunting dogs. Without working trial

General appearance:

A small dog somewhat elongated in proportions which is used for hunting rabbits as well as driving them from their burrows or rock clefts.

Temperament:

Very lively and clever, unassuming and robust.

Head:

Lean, shaped like a four-sided pyramid with a large base, diminishing considerably towards its pointed end.
Skull: Flat or slightly arched. Stop: Barely defined.
Nose: Tapering towards the slightly protruding tip; frontal plane of the nose slightly slanting; its colour always darker than that of the coat.
Muzzle: Nasal bridge rounded (in cross section); straight when seen in profile. Muzzle shorter than skull and broader at its base than at the front end.
Lips: Close fitting, thin and horizontal.
Jaws/Teeth: Regular, with strong white teeth. Normal bite.
Eyes: Very lively expression; slightly protruding from the eye-sockets; colour varies according to coat colour, from honey to chestnut brown; small and set obliquely; colour of eyelids darker than coat colour.
Ears: Set on medium high and oblique; carried erect , very mobile; vertical or slightly inclined forward when the dog is attentive; triangular shape, broad at the base, tapering to a point; ear leather thin; length of remarkably greater than width at set-on.

Neck:

Harmonious transition from head to body; straight, suitably long; strong and well muscled. No dewlap.

Body:

Length of the body exceeds height at withers. Top line: Straight or slightly arched. Back: Long, straight or slightly sloping. Loins: Straight or slightly arched; broad and muscular. Rump: Of medium length, broad and well muscled; straight or slightly slanting. Chest: Fore chest slightly accentuated, muscular, not too wide; chest deep and long, of medium width; long sternum rising towards rear; ribs hardly rounded, oblique. Belly/ flanks: Lean, with a slight tuck-up. Underline: slightly rising. Tail: Set on high rather than low, strong, thick, of medium length, tapering towards a fine point; in repose hanging between hind legs with the tip slightly curved upwards; in movement carried horizontally with a slight upward curve or carried upright in sickle shape; never curled up into ring shape.

Limbs:

Short.

Forequarters:

Seen from the front and from the side, vertical and straight, well muscled and clean. Shoulders and upper arm: Long and oblique; strong and well muscled; forming a blunt angle at shoulder joint. Forearm: Straight or slightly turned from outwards to inwards in its whole length. Pastern joint: Clean, not prominent. Pastern: Strong, short, slightly slanting. Front feet: Round; long, strong, tightly bunched and strongly arched toes; nails strong, short, preferably dark; pads hard and resistant.

Hindquarters:

Seen from behind and from the side, straight and parallel; well muscled, clean. Upper thigh: Long, of medium width, muscular. Second thigh: Long, slanting, strong, muscular, clean. Hock joints: Set on medium high, clean and strong, forming a blunt angle. Hocks: Well boned, short, slanting; without dewclaws. Hind feet: Round; long, strong, tightly bunched and strongly arched toes; short, strong, preferably dark toes; hard and resistant pads.

Movement:

Swift and light-footed.

Skin:

Mucous membranes preferably with black pigment or, in any case, darker than coat colour. Skin thin and close fitting.

Coat:

Short or long coat, of medium strength; smooth in the shorthaired variety; wiry in the long-coated variety. The short coat is denser then the long coat. With the long coat there is a distinct "beard" underneath the lower jaw. No undercoat or fluff. Colour: Predominant colours are yellow, fawn (in all shades from light to very dark) and black (diluted or faded); self-coloured with or without white markings; or white as basic colour with markings in the listed colours.

Height at withers:

20-30 cm.

Weight:

4-5 kg.