Hunting and companion dog Medium size 16-20 kg
Portuguese Podengo
A hardy, alert Portuguese hunter that is generally healthy and lively - its independence and prey drive call for a securely fenced home.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Medium
Size
16-20 kg, 40-54 cm tall (medium variety)
High
Activity
Agile hunter that needs daily activity
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Independent but attached to its people
Moderate
Handling
Smart but strong-willed
Low
Coat care
Short or wire coat, easy upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Playful and friendly with family
Moderate
Other pets
Strong prey drive toward small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Generally hardy breed
The Portuguese Podengo typically weighs 16-20 kg, stands 40-54 cm, and lives 12-15 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want a hardy, low-maintenance dog with a lively personality,
you can provide daily exercise and some mental challenge,
you have a securely fenced yard for a keen hunter,
you appreciate an alert watchdog that bonds to its family.
Do not consider this breed if…
you keep small pets a high-prey-drive dog might chase,
you want an off-leash-reliable, highly obedient companion,
you have no secure fencing and live near busy roads,
you want a calm, undemanding couch dog.
A typical day with a Portuguese Podengo
- 6:30 · Morning40-60 min walk or off-leash run in a safe area
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest or a chew; watches the household
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk or a game in the yard
- 16:00 · AfternoonTraining or scent games, 10-15 minutes
- 18:30 · EveningLonger walk or active play with the family
- 21:00 · NightSettles once its energy has an outlet
Family and environment
Kids Good
Playful and friendly with family children.
Dogs Conditional
Usually fine with dogs it knows; socialize early.
Cats Poor
Strong prey drive; risky with cats and small pets.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with plenty of daily exercise; can be alert and vocal.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure fence is important for a keen hunter.
City Conditional
Manages with enough activity and firm leash control.
Countryside Ideal
Space to run and hunt suits it best.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Moderate
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Generally hardy A robust landrace breed with few widespread problems
Hip dysplasia Uncommon but worth screening breeding stock
Chronic ear infections Check and clean ears routinely
Injuries from activity Active hunter; watch for cuts and strains
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Related lean Mediterranean hunter
Ibizan Hound
An athletic, agile sighthound that can clear tall fences - affectionate and clean, but with high prey drive and a need for secure exercise.
View profile →
Similar alert primitive hound
Pharaoh Hound
A sleek, ancient sighthound that blushes when excited; affectionate and clean but needs secure space to run.
View profile →
Another independent primitive hunting breed
Basenji
A clever, catlike African hound that barks little and grooms itself, but is famously independent and near-impossible to recall.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Portuguese Podengo cost?
In the US the medium and large varieties are uncommon, so expect limited availability, waitlists, or importing, while the small (pequeno) variety is somewhat easier to find. Puppy prices from responsible breeders commonly run around $1,000-$2,500. Over a lifetime, food and routine plus unexpected vet care outweigh the purchase price, so plan for insurance or an emergency fund even for a generally healthy breed.
Is the Portuguese Podengo a healthy breed?
Yes, it is one of the hardier breeds, a natural landrace hunter without many of the widespread inherited problems seen in heavily engineered breeds. That is a genuine advantage, but no breed is risk-free, so buy from a breeder who health-checks their dogs and keep up routine veterinary care.
Is a Portuguese Podengo good with cats and small pets?
Often not. It was bred to hunt rabbits and vermin and has a strong prey drive, so it may chase or harm cats and small animals, especially ones it did not grow up with. Some individuals raised with a cat learn to coexist, but it is a real risk to weigh carefully.
Is a Portuguese Podengo easy to train?
It is intelligent but independent and strong-willed, so it does not offer the eager obedience of a working gundog. It responds best to short, positive, motivating sessions and is unreliable off-leash once it locks onto prey. Expect a clever companion that thinks for itself rather than a push-button obedience dog.