There are three sizes of Podengo Portugueso: Grande (large), Medio (medium) and Pequeno (small). The Medio Podengo Portugueso is a moderately-sized sighthound type with a well-proportioned head, flat skull and pronounced stop. The nose is usually brown, but may be black. The ears are large, naturally upright, triangular and highly mobile, turning forward to catch sound. The muzzle is straight. The chest is muscular and prominent. The small, oblique eyes are brown to honey in color. The cat-like feet have well arched toes with hard, strong pads. The back line only has a slight arch. The neck is strong and muscular without dewlap. When the dog is calm the tail hangs down, when the dog is excited or in motion the tail is horizontal. The coat comes in two varieties: smooth and wirehaired. The smooth coat is hard and longer than that of most sighthounds. The wirehaired coat is medium-long, shaggy and coarse. Colors may include yellow, fawn, or black with white markings.
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Temperament
 The Podengo
Portugueso Medio is probably the fastest of three Podengos. It is an
intelligent, lively dog. Courageous and a good watchdog.
Affectionate, making good family companions. Many Portuguese owners
favor the Medio over both of its brothers, the Grande and Pequeno
because they feel its size is ideal - not too big and not too small.
Regardless of its size, the Medio is a wonderful companion dog and
super-efficient hunter. Some may fight with other dogs.
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| Conditions
The Podengo
Portugueso Medio is not recommended for apartment life. They are
well-suited for hot sunny climates and can live and sleep outdoors so
long as they have adequate shelter.
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| Health
Problems
A very healthy breed. Because this breed has had relatively limited
intervention by humans in the Podengo's breeding, it has a low incidence
of known inherited defects or diseases.
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| Exercise
This
fast and very active breed needs a lot of daily exercise.
Life ExpectancyAbout 12-14 years.
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| Grooming
The Podengo
Portugueso Medio needs little grooming. Occasionally comb and brush to
remove the dead and loose hair. This breed is an average shedder.
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| Origin
Podengo
Portuguesos come in three sizes: The Grande (large), Medio (medium), and
Pequeno (small). There are two possible origins of all Podengo
Portugueso. The Grande, from which the Medio and Pequeno evolved, is
similar to the tan-colored sighthounds, such as the Pharaoh
Hound, which spread out of
North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula. However, the Podengo could be a
descendant of small Iberian wolves. Although the Medio's closest
relative, the Podengo Grande, is now very rare, this lively and alert
medium-sized hound remains a popular dog, particularly in rural parts of
northern Portugal. It is sometimes still used as a small-game hunter
there. Hunting in packs or alone, the Portuguese Hounds became very
skilled at hunting rabbits. Human intervention in breeding has reduced
the Medio's size, while leaving other characteristics intact. In
Portugal these dogs are used for hunting, ratting, guard work and
companionship.
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| Height
Small - 8-12
inches (20-31 cm.) Height: Medium - 15-22 inches (39-56 cm.) Weight: Small - 9-13 pounds (4-6 kg.) Weight: Medium - 35-44 pounds (16-20 kg.)
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Faults Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrottum.
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Ruwharige Portugese Podengo 
History 
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.