Discover Everything About Podengo Português (Small Shorthair)
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
As an ancient breed, the Podengo Português (Small Smooth-Haired) is extremely robust and has very few genetic health concerns. Occasional risks such as patellar luxation or Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) occur only sporadically and are well-managed through responsible breeding. Buyers are choosing one of the healthiest small dog breeds available.
Lifespan
14–15 yrs
Height
20–30 cm
Weight
4–5 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, dense, no undercoat
- Origin: Portugal
Typical coat colors
- Yellow
- fawn
- black
- white
- brindle
- or a combination thereof
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Podengo Português (Small Shorthair), 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 Shorthair) right for you?
The Podengo Português Pequeno is a lightning-fast, highly intelligent primitive rabbit hunter—bred to track down prey independently in dense brush and rocky crevices. Beneath its charming, petite exterior lies a robust working dog with an enormous need for movement.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for an enduring companion for long hikes who, despite its small size, easily keeps up with the big dogs.
- You enjoy scent work, tracking, or fast-paced dog sports like agility—this little hunter needs a real challenge for its brain.
- You live in an active household and appreciate a vigilant dog that keeps a watchful eye on its home without being aggressive.
- You lead with positive reinforcement and humor, as stubborn pressure only leads to resistance in this independently thinking primitive breed.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a dog that will sit obediently by your side when a rabbit jumps out—it has been selected over centuries to react with lightning speed in exactly those moments.
- You live in a thin-walled apartment and get annoyed by barking—as a vigilant hunter, it often reports visual and acoustic stimuli very joyfully and loudly.
- You are looking for a classic, unconditionally obedient companion dog that reads your every wish from your eyes instead of making its own decisions.
The real vibes check
A Podengo Pequeno is like a lowered sports car with a built-in radar: it registers every movement in the undergrowth before you even blink. You are not getting a lap dog in miniature format, but a clever, highly active specialist. If you channel its hunting nature into shared adventures, you will have an untiring, cheerful partner by your side.
Breed Profile
The Podengo Portugues, also known as the Portuguese Podengo, is a small and active dog originally bred as a hunting dog. He is a member of FCI Group 5: Spitz and Urtyp dogs. Although small, the Podengo Portugues is a robust breed known for its striking appearance, speed and agility. Its ears are large and erect, giving it a unique and distinctive appearance. The Podengo Portugues comes in three different sizes and two coat variants, of which the small short-haired Podengo is the smallest and least hairy variant.
| Height | 20 - 30 cm (Female), 20 - 30 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 4 - 5 kg (Female), 4 - 5 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 14 - 15 years |
| Character | Intelligent, lively, loving |
| Coat | Short, dense, no undercoat |
| Coat Color | Yellow, fawn, black and white, brindle, or a combination thereof |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Podengo Português is one of the oldest dog breeds on the Iberian Peninsula and is a classic representative of the so-called primitive dogs. Its origins date back to antiquity. It is believed that the ancestors of this breed were brought to the territory of present-day Portugal by the Phoenicians and Romans over two millennia ago. Over the centuries, these dogs adapted to the geographical and climatic conditions of the region, leading to the development of three distinct sizes and two coat varieties. The small, short-haired Podengo Português Pequeno was specifically bred for rabbit hunting. Thanks to its small size, speed, and immense agility, it could effortlessly track game through dense undergrowth and narrow rock crevices. Beyond hunting, the small Podengo fulfilled another important historical role: during the Portuguese Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries, it accompanied sailors on their caravels to keep the ships free of vermin as a reliable ratter. Planned breeding began in the early 20th century. The official recognition of the breed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale took place in 1954, securing the Podengo Português a firm place in modern cynology.
The small, short-haired Podengo Português was bred for hunting rabbits and other small game and is known for its speed and agility.
Portugal
Antike
Character & Temperament
The Podengo Portugues is an extremely intelligent and lively dog that likes to keep busy and is always ready to learn and work. He is known for his high energy and strong hunting behavior, which means he needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Despite its hunting instincts, the Podengo Portugues is also a loving and loyal companion that is very people-oriented and enjoys being part of the family. He is good with children and other dogs provided he is properly socialized. Despite its small size, the Podengo Portugues is an alert dog that likes to keep an eye on its surroundings and reacts quickly to new stimuli. This makes him a good guard dog, although he is not a typical guard dog due to his size. He is not particularly fond of barking, but will certainly bark to warn his family if he notices anything unusual. In terms of temperament, the Podengo Portugues is neither hyperactive nor particularly calm. He has balanced energy and is happy and content as long as his needs are met. He can learn to stay alone, although he prefers the company of people or other dogs. However, it is important to note that due to their high energy levels and intelligence, the Podengo Portugues can easily become bored if they do not receive enough mental and physical stimulation. Therefore, it is important to keep him busy with toys, training, and social interactions to ensure he stays happy and healthy. Although the Podengo Portugues is small, it is a bold and courageous dog that is not afraid to stick its nose into the thickets or run through the undergrowth when it is hunting. This instinct can also occur in the home environment, and it is not uncommon for a Podengo Portugues to stick its head in a bag or drawer to see what it can find. This curiosity and determination can be challenging, but they are also part of what makes the Podengo Portugues such a fascinating and lovable breed. Overall, the Podengo Portugues is a versatile and adaptable dog that can become a wonderful companion and family member in the right environment and with proper training. His lively spirit and love of activity make him an excellent choice for active people or families looking for a small but sturdy and energetic dog. But he is also able to relax and enjoy the quiet moments, making him a great companion for those who want to live a balanced life.
| 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 Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Podengo Portugues, although small, is an excellent climber and is sometimes referred to as a "cat dog" is called because he likes to climb high places?
What Awaits You
The Portuguese Podengo Short-haired Small is a lively and intelligent hunting dog. These dogs are very agile and require a lot of exercise as well as mental stimulation. They are alert and show a close bond with their family. Due to their size and temperament, they are well suited for active households that can provide them with sufficient activity.
Housing & Care
The Podengo Portugues is a versatile dog that does well in both urban and rural environments. He is generally good with children, provided they treat him respectfully and calmly. He can also get along well with other pets as long as he is used to them from an early age. However, it is important to remember that he has a strong prey instinct and therefore caution should be exercised when around smaller pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs.
| 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
Raising the Podengo Portugues can be challenging due to its intelligence and independent nature. He is very trainable and can learn a variety of commands and tricks, but he needs an owner who is patient and consistent. Due to its hunting instinct, it is important that the Podengo Portugues learns early on how to control its instincts and respond to recall. It is also important to challenge your mind with brain games and exercises to avoid boredom and destructive behavior. With proper training, the Podengo Portugues can be used in a variety of activities and sports, including agility, obedience and even flyball. As a rule, he won't become a ball junkie as long as the times and types of play are measured and varied well. It's important not to overstimulate him and to make sure he gets enough rest. A balanced mix of physical exercise and mental stimulation is optimal for this active and intelligent dog.
Nutrition & Care
The Podengo Portugues' diet should be tailored to its active lifestyle. A diet rich in high-quality proteins and healthy fats will help support his energy and maintain his health. It is important to maintain a balanced diet and avoid being overweight as this can cause health problems. In terms of care, the Podengo Portugues (Small Shorthair) is a fairly easy dog to care for. His short coat only needs occasional brushing to remove loose hair. He doesn't have an undercoat, which means he doesn't shed a lot and doesn't shed seasonally. The Podengo Portugues does well in the German climate, although it prefers a warm climate and may require a dog coat in the colder months.
| 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
As an ancient breed, the Podengo Português (Small Smooth-Haired) is extremely robust and has very few genetic health concerns. Occasional risks such as patellar luxation or Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) occur only sporadically and are well-managed through responsible breeding. Buyers are choosing one of the healthiest small dog breeds available.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
With joint-friendly rearing, occasional eye check-ups, and appropriate protection against the cold on wet and chilly days, your dog will usually remain active well into old age.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the knees, hips, and eyes of the parent animals checked to further strengthen the healthy foundation of this breed.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Podengo Português (Small Shorthair)
Sabine M., Halterin aus Antwerpen (Hündin, seit 2011)
Ich habe meine kleine Podenga Português Pequeno (Kurzhaar) im Alter von etwa einem Jahr übernommen. Am Anfang war es wirklich nicht leicht: Sie hatte einen extremen Jagdtrieb, interessierte sich kaum für mich und war eigentlich nur auf andere Hunde oder Futter fixiert. Wenn jemand mit einem Döner an uns vorbeiging, war ich komplett abgeschrieben.
Wir haben dann sehr intensiv an unserem Antijagd-Training gearbeitet, oft an Orten mit extrem hoher Wildkaninchen-Dichte an der Schleppleine. Mit viel Geduld klappt der Rückruf heute fantastisch – selbst wenn uns ein Kaninchen direkt vor den Pfoten herhoppelt, kann ich sie erst stoppen und dann zuverlässig abrufen.
Was mich täglich begeistert, ist ihre enorme Intelligenz. Sie lernt Tricks teilweise schneller als die Hütehunde in unserem Bekanntenkreis und arbeitet extrem konzentriert mit. Sie ist aktiv und bewegungsfreudig, fordert das aber zu Hause nicht unangenehm ein, sondern ist einfach eine super angenehme, freundliche Begleiterin.
Anja S., Halterin aus Hessen (Hündin, seit 2023)
Unsere kleine Podengo-Hündin fordert uns im Alltag ganz schön heraus. Sie ist unglaublich schlau und nutzt das eiskalt aus: Sie diskutiert für ihr Leben gern und hinterfragt jede einzelne Regel in der Hoffnung, dass sie heute vielleicht nicht mehr gilt. Da wir am Anfang in der Erziehung etwas zu locker waren, sucht sie jetzt gezielt nach jeder kleinen Ausnahme.
Draußen ist sie sehr eigenständig und bringt natürlich auch einen gewissen Jagdtrieb mit. Sie lässt sich zwar recht gut ablenken, aber man muss draußen einfach immer ein Auge auf sie haben und sich darauf einstellen, dass sie sehr selbstständig agiert.
Trotz der kleinen Erziehungsduelle ist sie ein absolut liebenswerter Hund. Ihre clevere Art macht unglaublich viel Spaß, man darf sich nur einfach nicht austricksen lassen und muss bei dieser Rasse wirklich konsequent bleiben.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Podengo Português (Small Shorthair)
Is a Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) the right dog for me?
The Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) 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 Shorthair) live?
The average life expectancy of a Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) is 14-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) need?
Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) good for families with children?
The Podengo Português (Small Shorthair) can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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