Actually, there isn’t just one Podenco – this term rather encompasses several Spanish hunting dogs that are very similar to Greyhounds, being slender and agile, but they are more robustly built than Greyhounds. They only feel comfortable when they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Originally, these athletic dogs are native to the Spanish mainland, the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands. In recent years, however, this breed has become increasingly popular, so Podencos can now be found among dog owners all over the world.

History of the Podenco

Podencos are among the oldest and most primitive breeds of dogs in the world, as they have been bred for many years to assist humans in hunting. Their homeland is in Spain, but they have been kept and bred throughout the Mediterranean region since antiquity due to their excellent hunting abilities. Through conquests, as well as pilgrims and other travelers, the dogs spread rapidly.

Podencos from the Spanish islands have been particularly well preserved in their origins in terms of physique and temperament because few foreign breeds could be crossed here due to the protected location (surrounded by water).

The umbrella term for all these dogs is Podenco – however, there are various subspecies such as the Podenco Ibicenco, the Podenco Canario, the Pharaoh Hound, and many more; these can differ in appearance, size, and behavior. There is only a breed standard for the Podenco Ibicenco and the Podenco Canario; however, several breeds are recognized by the FCI – these naturally include the Podenco Ibicenco and the Podenco Canario, but also the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell`Etna, and the Portuguese Podengo.

More common than the breeds mentioned above, however, are mixes of the various breeds. Especially with many Spanish stray dogs that are placed in Europe, there is a good mix of Podenco blood, as dogs that have become useless for hunters in Spain are often simply abandoned.

Nature and Character

The noble-looking dogs are lively and always on the lookout for activity, which is due to the fact that the Podenco is a working dog. If he cannot pursue his original inclination as a hunting and guard dog because the owner lives in a rented apartment in the city and is not a hunter by chance, then the owner must come up with quite a lot to keep him busy – otherwise, the agile dog will quickly get bored and can easily outgrow the owner’s control.

With sufficient activity, however, the Podenco can be a great family dog: he is loyal and affectionate, loves his owner and his family unconditionally, and has a fairly open and friendly nature. Well-trained, he is an ideal companion in everyday life and for active sports such as jogging or cycling.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	Medium
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Low
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Acquiring a Podenco

When acquiring a Podenco, several aspects should be considered. If one is buying an adult animal or adopting a dog of this breed from an animal welfare organization, the origin and past life are particularly interesting: Dogs that are accustomed to street life and have experienced almost unlimited freedom and independent hunting for prey often do not really thrive in the United States: Suddenly, due to their hunting instinct, only short walks on a leash are possible, and due to their experiences with hunger and foraging, they are often quite resourceful when it comes to stealing food – or what they perceive as edible. They also often struggle with the limitations of a normal apartment.

It is better to adopt a Podenco that is accustomed to living in a house and has received some basic training – which can certainly be expandable, but at least these animals know how to listen to commands and how to adapt and comply with a owner.

When purchasing a Podenco puppy, on the other hand, it is particularly important to consider where it was bred and raised: Stay away from dubious breeders who offer countless puppies simultaneously in advertisements on the internet or elsewhere! Here, both mothers and puppies often suffer from poor living conditions, malnutrition, and lack of medical care.

The imprinting of the puppy also suffers under such circumstances, which often influences their entire remaining life. These puppy dogs often learn nothing except their mother, their siblings, and the enclosure in which they live – fear in everyday situations, when driving a car, of people, or loud noises can result from this and make life very difficult for them and the future owner.

It is better to buy a puppy from loving family breeding or directly from the breeder: These animals are usually healthier, ideally already familiar with the beginnings of cleanliness, and have already been able to practice everyday situations with the owner of the mother.

What should I look for when buying?

As mentioned above, the origin of the Podenco must be clarified and consistent. But also, a thorough veterinary examination before purchase can protect against unpleasant surprises. This way, the risk of hereditary or otherwise caused diseases with high follow-up costs can be minimized even before purchase.

It is also always good to visit the dog in question before buying and to experience it live – after all, the chemistry between the dog and the owner must also be right.

Development and Training of the Puppy

A Podenco puppy is a baby – so one should not have too many expectations of the little dog. After all, the animal has just been separated from its mother and siblings and still has so much to learn to find its way in our human world!

At the beginning, three things are especially important: House training – this can be practiced gently and lovingly from the first day, but definitely without any pressure, by taking the Podenco puppy outside immediately when it needs to pee or poop. This requires some observation and sensitivity, but after a while, the dog owner can recognize it quite well. Small accidents in between are normal and should be cleaned up without comment.

The second point: Learning to be calm! This is essential, especially for such a lively dog as the Podenco. If the dog is accustomed to constant activity from an early age, it will continue to demand this later on and to an even greater extent. Additionally, the puppy’s muscles and bones are not as developed as those of an adult animal. Play sessions and walks should initially last only about 5 minutes and be gradually increased, with appropriate rest periods in between. At the beginning, it is completely sufficient for mental stimulation to teach the puppy basic commands such as sit, stay, and so on – always lovingly and in a playful manner!

Since the Podenco has a hunting instinct in its blood, the third point is recall – if this is not reliable, the dog may be tethered to a leash for its entire life, making off-leash activities nearly impossible. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the recall command.

How to care for a Podenco?

Anyone who wants to keep a Podenco must be aware that this breed demands exercise and activity in all weather conditions – for many years to come!

In addition to exercise, other factors must also be taken into account – if the Podenco is to roam freely on a property, it should be securely fenced to prevent escape. Otherwise, the dog may go wandering on its own when bored or chasing after perceived prey.

Activities with the Podenco:

Ideal activities include jogging or cycling together to meet the dog’s exercise needs. If the Podenco is not used for hunting, alternative activities such as tracking, searching for various objects, learning tricks – preferably with a clicker – can provide meaningful mental and physical stimulation. But activities like greyhound racing, agility, or coursing can also be a lot of fun for the athletic canine.

Health and Grooming

In terms of grooming, the Podenco is uncomplicated: Occasional brushing is sufficient. Bathing is not only unnecessary but also harmful in the long run, as it can disrupt the sensitive pH balance of the skin.

With sufficient exercise on hard surfaces, trimming the nails is also unnecessary, as they will naturally wear down.

Since the Podenco is a very old and robust breed, it is neither particularly prone to diseases nor does it tend to develop allergies or similar issues – ideally, you will only need to see the veterinarian for vaccinations and deworming.

Interesting and worth knowing

Podencos are smart and agile animals that were bred primarily for hunting. They can appear a bit stubborn, but once convinced to cooperate, they are the most loyal and best friends one could wish for.

Do you also have a Podenco or plan to get one in the future? Share what makes the breed so special in the comments!