Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Breed Magazine - Showsight

THE PORTUGUESE

PODENGO PEQUENO BY SUSAN SOUZA, Breeder/Judge

W e have all heard the term used before, “form follows function” and when planning our next generation of dogs’, it is what we all keep in mind, right? Have you asked yourself “Is the dog I am showing in the conformation ring capable of per- forming the function of the breed as it was intended?” It is no different for the breeders of the Portuguese Podengo Pequenos.

The Pequeno (smallest of three sizes) is primarily used as a rabbit hunting dog in its native Portugal. It searches for rab- bits in holes, dense shrubs and on/over rocks going into crevices to flush out the rabbits. They need to have stamina and endurance to be out in the field and the trainability to return to the hunter with their quarry. They are a fearless lit- tle dog with a high-pitched bark called the maticar that sounds off when they are excited. Because they are used small

packs it was important in the develop- ment of the Pequeno to have a range in size from 8-12 inches without los- ing the type and function of the breed. The Portuguese breeders/hunters have done fabulous job in maintaining breed function from the smallest to the tallest of the Pequeno and in many cases, have shared their wealth of knowledge with the next generation of breeders in many different countries.

“THE PEQUENO (SMALLEST OF 3 SIZES) IS PRIMARILY USED AS A RABBIT HUNTING DOG IN ITS NATIVE PORTUGAL.”

296 • S how S ight M agazine , F ebruary 2019

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