Discover Everything About Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired)
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Podengo Português (wire-haired, small) is considered an exceptionally robust and primitive breed with excellent genetic health. Occasional risks such as patellar luxation and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are extremely rare compared to other breeds and do not represent a structural issue. Buyers can expect a very resilient dog with almost no known breed-specific hereditary diseases.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
20–30 cm
Weight
4–6 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Rough, short, without undercoat
- Origin: Portugal
Typical coat colors
- Yellow
- brown
- black
- fawn
- gray
- their combinations
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired), choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) right for you?
The Podengo Português (Pequeno) is an alert, sturdy little dog—bred as an agile, primitive-type hunter to track and flush out rabbits in rugged terrain. He is not just a companion dog, but a full-fledged hunting dog in miniature format.
Perfect for you if:
- You enjoy keeping his senses sharp with scent work or fast-paced search games—this active hunter will wither away if he only spends his time on the sofa.
- You have a secure, escape-proof garden or are prepared to keep him consistently on a long training lead in areas rich in wildlife.
- You appreciate his primitive, independent nature and don't expect him to hang on your every word like a German Shepherd.
- You are looking for a sturdy, cheerful companion who can easily keep up on long hikes despite his small size.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to have perfect recall when he spots a rabbit bolting—he was bred to act independently and at lightning speed in exactly those moments.
- You live in an apartment with thin walls, as this vigilant primitive breed loves to announce anything unusual with his bright, persistent voice.
- You are looking for a dog that will lie quietly under your desk for hours while you work from home.
- You demand strict obedience—this independent dog will simply shut down and become stubborn if you try to use pressure or force.
The real vibes check
Visually, the wire-haired Podengo looks like a cute, scruffy mixed breed—but the moment something rustles in the bushes, a highly focused, lightning-fast hunter awakens within him. You aren't getting a lap dog that lives to please, but a charming little free spirit. If you love and can channel that primitive spark of mischief, you'll gain a tireless partner for every adventure.
Breed Profile
The Podengo Portugu"s, in this version the smaller wire-haired type, is a small, compact dog with a unique silhouette. This square dog stands out with its wiry, rough coat and distinctive, large, upright ears, which give it a bright and alert appearance. Its facial expression is lively and intelligent, with bright, attentive eyes that radiate a natural curiosity. The Podengo Portugu"s is part of FCI Group 5, which represents the Includes Spitz and archetypal dog breeds. There is no distinction between performance and show lines in this breed, meaning that all dogs have the same working abilities regardless of their appearance.
| Height | 20 - 30 cm (Female), 20 - 30 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 4 - 6 kg (Female), 4 - 6 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | Intelligent, Alert, Energetic |
| Coat | Rough, short, without undercoat |
| Coat Color | Yellow, brown, black, fawn, gray and their combinations |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Podengo Português is one of the oldest dog breeds on the Iberian Peninsula. Its roots trace back to antiquity, when Phoenician traders and later the Romans brought early Mediterranean hunting dogs to Portugal. Over the centuries, these dogs adapted to the country's specific climatic and geographical conditions. The breed developed into three distinct sizes and two coat varieties to meet various hunting requirements. The small, wire-haired type, the Podengo Português Pequeno (wire-haired), was specifically bred for hunting rabbits in dense brush and rocky terrain. Its compact size allowed it to follow game into the tightest burrows, while its wiry, rough coat provided excellent protection against thorns and adverse weather. When hunting, this agile dog relied equally on its keen sense of smell and sight. It often worked in tandem with ferrets to flush rabbits out of their hiding spots. Although the breed has been deeply rooted in its homeland for centuries and is considered the national dog of Portugal, official international recognition of the breed standard by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under standard number 94 occurred as early as 1954. To this day, the small wire-haired Podengo has retained its original, rustic character and strong hunting instinct.
The small wire-haired Podengo Português was bred for hunting rabbits and other small game, distinguished by its rough coat and adaptability.
Portugal
Antike
Character & Temperament
3. The Podengo Portugu"s is a dynamic and energetic dog with a distinct personality. He is intelligent, curious and always up for an adventure. This dog loves to be challenged both physically and mentally and will feel happiest when he has something to do. His hunting instinct is strong, so you should play with him in a fenced area or keep him on a leash if you are in an area where he will follow an interesting smell or fast movement could. Although he is an excellent watchdog, the Podengo Portugu"s is not prone to barking excessively. However, he will always alert you to anything he deems noteworthy. This dog is also very people-oriented and loves spending time with his family. He can stay well alone as long as he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation when family members are at home. Despite his independent nature, the Podengo Portugu"s is a very playful and friendly dog. He gets along well with children and can also live well with other dogs and pets as long as he has been properly socialized. His energetic and playful nature makes him a great companion for active people who enjoy the outdoors and are looking for a lively, entertaining dog. The Podengo Portugu"s is an active dog who needs regular exercise to stay fit and happy. He loves to be active on walks, playing in the garden or training for dog sports such as agility and obedience. However, it is important to stimulate his mind as well as his body as he is an intelligent dog who enjoys the mental challenge. Overall, the Podengo Portugu"s is a happy, friendly and intelligent dog that fits well with active people looking for a loyal and energetic companion. He is a proud and independent dog who loves his family and is always ready to go on an adventure or just spend time with his people. With the right socialization, training and exercise, the Podengo Portugu"s will be a happy and contented part of any family.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that in its native Portugal, the Podengo Portugues is used not only as a hunting dog, but also as a guard dog and even as a rat catcher? With his keen hearing and quick reaction, he excels in all of these roles!
What Awaits You
The Portuguese Podengo (Wirehaired Small) is a lively and intelligent hunting dog. It is characterized by its endurance and pronounced sense of smell. These dogs are active and require a lot of exercise as well as meaningful activity. They are alert and are well suited as family dogs, provided they are consistently trained and encouraged.
Housing & Care
The Podengo Portugues is an adaptable dog and can live well in both the city and the country, provided it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. They are also suitable for families with small children as they are playful and patient. Regarding compatibility with cats and other pets: If they have been properly socialized from an early age, they can get along well with other pets.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Adapts well to city living and urban environments. | Well-suited to city life |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Podengo Portugues are intelligent and willing to learn dogs that can be trained well with positive reinforcement. You need sufficient mental and physical exercise to be happy and balanced. It can be helpful to let the dog do different activities to challenge and stimulate him. Due to their hunting disposition, the Podengo Portugues could develop a tendency to play ball. It is therefore important to find a good balance and incorporate other activities such as search games, nose work or agility into training in order to avoid possible ball dependency. Because the Podengo Portugues can be an independent and sometimes stubborn dog, it is important to begin training frustration tolerance and impulse control at an early age. Respectful interaction at eye level and consistent but loving training are the key here.
Nutrition & Care
The Podengo Portugues' diet should be balanced and nutritious. They are active dogs and therefore require a diet rich in proteins and carbohydrates to support their energy. Fresh meat, vegetables and high-quality dry food can form a good nutritional basis. The Podengo Portugues has a short, rough coat without an undercoat. It doesn't require much care, regular brushing once a week is enough to keep the coat clean and healthy. They don't shed much, but during the shedding season, brushing more frequently can help remove loose hair. This dog copes well with the climate in Germany.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Barely any shedding — occasional vacuuming is enough. | Minimal |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Robust
Health grade
The Podengo Português (wire-haired, small) is considered an exceptionally robust and primitive breed with excellent genetic health. Occasional risks such as patellar luxation and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are extremely rare compared to other breeds and do not represent a structural issue. Buyers can expect a very resilient dog with almost no known breed-specific hereditary diseases.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
With joint-friendly rearing, regular eye check-ups, and proper care of his wire coat, this agile dog usually stays fit well into old age.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the knees, hips, and eyes of the parent animals checked by a veterinarian to maintain the breed-typical health of these small dogs.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired)
Sabine M., Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2021)
Mein kleiner Rauhhaar-Rüde ist jetzt seit drei Jahren bei mir und ich kann die typische Beschreibung nur bestätigen: Er ist unglaublich schlau, lernt blitzschnell, hat aber absolut keinen „Will to Please“. Man vergleicht das Wesen dieser Hunde nicht umsonst oft mit dem einer Katze – sie bleiben immer ein Stück weit eigenständig und entscheiden selbst, ob sich ein Kommando für sie gerade lohnt.
In der Erziehung darf man auf keinen Fall mit Härte arbeiten, sonst macht er sofort komplett dicht. Mit viel Geduld, positiver Verstärkung und einer großen Portion Humor klappt es aber wunderbar. Im Haus ist er eine absolute Schmusebacke und extrem anhänglich, aber draußen merkt man sofort den passionierten Jäger.
Der Jagdtrieb ist absolut nicht zu unterschätzen. Ich kann ihn nur in sehr gut überschaubaren Gebieten ableinen, ansonsten bleibt er an der Schleppleine, weil er sonst bei der kleinsten Fährte auf und davon wäre. Wer einen leichtführigen Begleiter sucht, ist hier falsch, aber für mich ist er mit seinem Charakterkopf genau der richtige Hund.
Annette R., Halterin aus Nordrhein-Westfalen (Rüde, seit 2022)
Als wir uns für den kleinen Rauhhaar-Podengo entschieden haben, war uns wichtig, dass er gut mit unseren anderen Hunden harmoniert. Sein Sozialverhalten ist wirklich hervorragend – er hat sich problemlos in unser bestehendes Rudel integriert und liebt es, mit seinen Artgenossen zu toben.
Er ist allerdings sehr wachsam und meldet alles, was ihm merkwürdig vorkommt. Diese Bellfreudigkeit muss man von Anfang an konsequent in die richtigen Bahnen lenken, sonst schlägt er bei jedem Geräusch im Treppenhaus an.
Der Freilauf ist bei uns ein großes Thema. Wegen seines ausgeprägten Jagdtriebs lassen wir ihn fast nur auf sicher eingezäunten Grundstücken oder speziellen Hundeausläufen von der Leine. Ihn im Wald einfach so laufen zu lassen, wäre viel zu gefährlich, da er sofort jedem Kaninchen hinterhergehen würde. Wer sich darauf einstellt, bekommt aber einen wunderbar fröhlichen und treuen Partner.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired)
Is a Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) the right dog for me?
The Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) live?
The average life expectancy of a Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) need?
Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) good for families with children?
The Podengo Português (Small Wirehaired) can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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