TODAY’S FUNCTION: Hunting rabbits, lure coursing, companionship.They love to run, chase, and explore, and they enjoy hiking, jogging, going for long walks, participating in dog sports, and playing with their owners on a leash or in securely fenced areas. A pack of well-trained Pequenos can catch several hundred rabbits in a day and will not hesitate to go to ground after fox or badger.
Portuguese podengo breeders how to#
Want to learn how to train your Portuguese Podengo Pequeno to be one of the best-trained dogs? Click here to find out how.Activity level: This dog is an active breed with a well-developed chase instinct and the stamina to hunt for hours at a time. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not.
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Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.
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Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. So long as you keep your training sessions positive, you will end up with a dog who will be welcome in any situation. They are easily trained as hunters, in performance sports, and, despite their small stature, as watchdogs. They relish any sort of training, and excel at almost anything you ask them to do. They are quick learners, but training must be fun and given in short sessions. The PPP is a very lively and intelligent little dog. They should only be allowed loose within safely fenced areas’”as hunters, their instinct to follow their nose can get them into trouble quite quickly. Playing in a large fenced yard, a vigorous walk daily, participation in agility or obedience trials, or hunting can provide the needed activity. They have a rightful reputation for being tough and tireless.
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Exerciseīred originally for rabbit hunting, the energetic Portuguese Podengo Pequeno requires brisk daily exercise. Nails should be trimmed regularly using a nail clipper or grinder. Starting a good dental-care program with regular brushing will alleviate the possibility of issues occurring later. Routine brushing followed by running a comb through the hair to eliminate any tangles in the wire coat, and an occasional wipe-down with a damp cloth on the smooth coat, will be sufficient to keep him in great shape between monthly baths. The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a no-frills, wash-and-wear kind of dog who comes in two coat types: smooth and wire. Overall, the majority of PPPs are healthy dogs with few genetic problems. Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as eye disorders and joint diseases such as hip dysplasia or patellar luxation (slipped stifles). With a small gene pool in the States, breeders screen breeding stock to be able to identify and breed away from possible genetic issues. The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a healthy breed overall. Pequenos have been called “probably the world’s smallest hunting dog.” Working alone or in small packs, they assist hunters by routing rabbits from their hiding places and into open country.
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This breeding stock was adapted by the Portuguese to hunt rabbits in the craggy Iberian countryside. It’s thought that their ancestors were brought to Portugal in antiquity by successive waves of Phoenician, Roman, and Moorish traders and invaders. Though new to the AKC Hound Group, Pequenos are an ancient breed.