The hound dogs are classified as hunting dogs because they have been used for this purpose. Most of them have a small or medium body, characterized by their slim but muscular shape. Thanks to this, podencos are skilful, light and ideal dogs for hunting prey. In addition, they have a well-developed sense of smell.
Currently, podenco dogs are increasingly being adopted as companions or guardians of the home. If you are one of those people looking to share their lives with these adorable and faithful dogs, in this article on our site we talk about the different types of podencos, showing their characteristics and peculiarities. Let's go there!
What are podenco dogs like?
Hounds are dogs that have been developed in Europe, however, the origins of several breeds can be traced back to Egypt, Phoenicia and some Asian countries. Their size varies between small and medium and, in general, they have short or medium fur. The body of podencos is usually slender, but muscular and compact
Most breeds began to be bred to serve during hunting days or to control vermin. In activities like these, the small body of the podencos is very useful, since they are agile and can enter burrows or holes.
How many types of podencos are there?
Currently there are 8 breeds of podencos recognized by international federations. In addition to this, it is possible to find at least 8 breeds not yet accepted.
Below, we describe the recognized and unofficial types of podenco.
Portuguese Podenco
Originally from Portugal, his ancestors can be traced back to the Phoenician people. The variety known today was developed during the 15th century, when it was bred to be a buzzard.
The Portuguese Podenco can be small, medium or large It can have smooth or wire (hard), long or short hair, a single color or with spots. The accepted colors for this breed of podenco are yellow and fawn in all its versions. As for his personality, he is usually attentive and faithful, which is why he is trained as a guard dog
Canary Hound
The podenco canario is a dog from the Canary Islands, Spain. However, it was brought to the islands by some ancient civilization, although there is no consensus as to whether it was the Phoenicians, the Egyptians or the Greeks who introduced the breed. It is estimated that this type of hound has been around for 7,000 years and has evolved to specialize in hunting rabbits.
This breed is medium-sized and stands out for its sleek and slender body. His chest is broad and the body is muscular, though without looking heavy. As for the coat, it is smooth and short, it comes in a combination of white with different variations of orange and red. The Canary Podenco stands out for having a highly developed nose, ideal for hunting, and larger ears than other breeds of Podencos.
Ibicenco Hound
Among the types of podencos, the Ibizan is also originally from Spain, specifically from the Balearic Islands, Majorca and Formentera. Its origins date back to the year 3,400 BC, so it would also be brought to the islands by some ancient civilization, such as the Phoenicians, the Romans or the Carthaginians.
He is a medium dog with a symmetrical and proportionate body. The coat can be long or short, it appears in pure red or white, in red and white or in tawny combinations. The Ibizan Hound was used to hunt hares and rabbits, so it is an intelligent, skillful and fast dog. He is used to teamwork and enjoys outdoor activities.
Andalusian Hound
The Andalusian Hound has a keen sense of smell and since its origins it has developed in hunting various species, such as ducks, wild boars and rabbits. He has great physical strength and agility, contrary to what might appear from his friendly face.
This breed comes in three sizes, so there are three types of Andalusian Hounds: large, medium and small. Also, the coat can be harsh, long and smooth or short and smooth. The coat appears cinnamon or white, with a variety of shades.
Valencian Hound
The last of these types of podenco is the xarnego or Valencian podenco, which inhabited southeastern Spain during the Neolithic. It is possible that, after the Roman invasions, this dog spread to other areas of Europe and contributed to the formation of other breeds of podencos.
It is a specialist in hunting rabbits and other small prey, noted for its agility and good sense of smell, as well as for its resistance to the high temperatures of the peninsula.
The Valencian Hound is a medium to large-sized dog It has a long neck, strong legs and a prominent rib cage. It has three types of fur: smooth, hard and wire, which appear in a variety of shades, such as black, chocolate, fawn and cinnamon, either pure or in a combination of masks and spots. Likewise, it usually presents areas of the body with longer hair, such as the tail, ears and neck.
Cirneco del Etna
This is a dog of Italian origin, which has existed in Sicily since ancient times. Before Christ, the profile of the cirneco appeared on the coins of the area.
It is a medium-sized, slender and compact dog. It measures between 46 and 50 cm at the withers and is characterized by having a medium-length coat that is fawn or a mix between white and tan.
Pharaoh's Hound
This type of Podenco is originally from M alta, although it is bred in Great Britain. He is characterized by his alert and enthusiastic personality for hunting, an activity in which he stands out thanks to his exceptional hearing and sense of smell.
Pharaoh's Hound is medium and thin. He possesses a powerful scissor jaw and beautiful amber-colored eyes, this being one of his most distinctive features. The coat is short and silky, it comes in different shades of brown and red with several white areas, such as the chest and fingers.
Maneto
The maneto is a dog that comes from Andalusia, where it appeared thanks to cases of baseism occurring in the Andalusian Hound. For now, this dog breed has not been recognized by the FCI.
This type of Andalusian Hound stands out for being small, with short legs and a long body, somewhat similar to the dachshund. The body is compact, the snout long and the ears triangular. Thanks to its size, it has been used to hunt in places with vegetation, an activity in which it stands out for its sober and focused personality.
Other types of hounds
In addition to those mentioned, there are other podenco breeds that are not yet recognized by the International Cinological Federation (FCI), the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE). These races are as follows:
- Galician Hound
- French Podenco
- Cretan Hound
- Podenco palmero
- Iron Dwarf Hound
- Tunisian Hound
- Paternero Hound
- Podenco orito
