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Portugese Podengo Dwerg

History

This breed is mainly encountered in the north of the country. According to their natural disposition, these dogs are used for hunting rabbits, singly or in a pack. They are also appreciated as good watch dogs. The Portuguese Podengo was formed in early 2003 and brings together individuals who share a love for and interest in raising, training, breeding, hunting and showing their Podengos. The PPCA respects the integrity of the breed as articulated in the FCI standard and works cooperatively with the Podengo Club of Portugal to preserve and protect this ancient rare breed.

GENERAL APPEARANCE Of medium size and substance, well balanced in proportions, well muscled and with strong bone.

TEMPERAMEN * 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.

CRANIAL REGION Skull * Flat, almost straight in profile. Superciliary ridges prominent. Frontal groove hardly perceptible; the region between the ears horizontal; occipital bone prominent. Stop * Barely defined.
Longitudinal axes of the skull and foreface divergent.
FACIAL REGION * 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 ear remarkably greater than width at set-on.

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

BODY * Topline * 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 * Forechest 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 hindlegs with the tip slightly curved upwards; in movement carriedhorizontally with a slight upward curve or carried upright in sickle shape; never curled up into ring shape.

FOREQUARTERS General * 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 * Vertical, long and muscular.
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 General * 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 nails; 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 Texture * Short or long coat, of medium strength; smooth in the shorthaired variety; wiry (similar to the bristles of a wild boar) in the long-coated variety. The short coat is denser than 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 AND WEIGHT
Height at withers ** 40 - 55 cm
Weight ** 16 - 20 kg."

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.