Portuguese Podengo/what breed of dog - long but HELP!

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Henbug

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Sorry for the long post AND I'm pretty sure I've forgotten things but massive thank you's in advance of any ideas!


Firstly I really like the look of these little dogs but have never met any and there's only so much you can find out through google so I'd love to hear if anybody has any experience of them. Obviously if we go down this route I'd be doing more research including meeting as many as possible!

Secondly are there any other suitable breeds you can come up with. I've really searched through but often people can recommend a breed having known or owned them that I've dismissed because of misrepresentation somewhere so it's interesting to hear what people come up with. I'm looking for something quite specific and I thought you lot might be able to help. That said I've considered everything from Rotties to miniature schnauzers so I'm open minded if nothing else :eek:. Here's the list of wants :D!

1. Watch/guard dog - a dog that I'll feel safer for having around, will alert me if things are not as they should be and if there was anybody around that shouldn't be upon seeing the dog would be worried enough by it to run away :rolleyes:. So while for example while a chihuahua may bark it really isn't going to deter many people! BUT I want a dog that is people friendly. Is this possible?

Don't mind aloof/wary of strangers but I want to be able to invite people round without worrying that the dog will be funny with them. I realise that this is largely due to early socialisation and training rather than breeding but some breeds are more disposed to like people than others.


2. Must get on well with other dogs. We have two dogs already a medium sized dog and a small dog. Ideally I would like to avoid very large powerful dogs eg. rotties because I know I would always be worried about the two little ones getting hurt even if this may be unfounded. Ive known small dogs get hurt through play. Also the medium dog is very much the alpha female and I would rather not have her position usurped by an adolescent dog as it grows bigger and realises it can push her around. Both dogs are good with other dogs and used to having other dogs in their home as we regularly foster.

3. Not a really high energy dog or one that takes forever to grow up.

4. Must be able to be let off lead and be around the horses without constant worry that it's going to disappear. (Rules out most terriers)

5. Trainable


So am I looking for the impossible?! ANY ideas? I've been looking at breeds and will probably end up going to a breeder and getting a puppy but if the right dog came up for rescue (some weird cross that just seemed perfect!) then that would equally be good but I think for what we want it would be easier to start with a dog from a puppy and teach it correctly from the start.

Thanks for any help I promise cute puppy or new dog pictures when she (must be a she) arrives :p!
 
Podengos are hunting dogs rather than guards. The large ones are basically hairy greyhounds so I am not sure they would be ideal for offlead work or around small fluffies. JMO, the people at the top of my road had one and he was a real handful, but I stand to be corrected x

Labrador? Would have said GSD but you want something low energy and quick to mature, and a proper GSD is neither!
 
CaveCanem said:
Podengos are hunting dogs rather than guards. The large ones are basically hairy greyhounds so I am not sure they would be ideal for offlead work or around small fluffies. JMO, the people at the top of my road had one and he was a real handful, but I stand to be corrected x

Labrador? Would have said GSD but you want something low energy and quick to mature, and a proper GSD is neither!
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Have previously had a GSD who was absolutely lovely but as you say not low energy and not quick to mature so not right this time around although I wouldn't have changed a thing about him and he was perfect at the time. Labradors I've just never been keen on and I've spent quite a bit of time around quite a variety of them but in all honesty I think in so many ways they fit the bill. Perhaps I should reconsider my totally unfounded bias against them! And my sincere apologies to all the lab owners that i've just offended :eek:!

I'm looking at the small podengo, the Podengo Pequenos but there is the obvious issue of SIZE with respect to guarding! However with a slight appearance of a JRT I thought there may be something there, I know, clutching at straws there, me being optimistic :D. I'm also concerned that with the hunting background as you say the recall could be an issue but I can't seem to find anything out about this. Probably ought to give a breeder or club a call.

Thanks so much for the help any other ideas send them my way. Off to look at labs again
 
Daughter and I fell for Portuguese podengos at discover dogs but the breeders did rather put us off :(. I got the impression they have a really strong hunting instinct and quite a challenge to train.
 
if your not in any rush they have a funday coming up where you could go along and meet the breed and some of their owners http://www.podengos.org/id26.html

Not sure if they will be attending Discover Dogs most breeds are represented but you could also go along to that in November http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/ its actually a good way to go and have a look at a lot of different breeds ideal if your not really sure what you want from a dog. Obviously you won't get the crossed breeds or lurchers but it is well worth a visit.
 
MurphysMinder said:
Daughter and I fell for Portuguese podengos at discover dogs but the breeders did rather put us off :(. I got the impression they have a really strong hunting instinct and quite a challenge to train.
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Breeders put everyone off those who make the effort to go back and to look at training etc are usually right for the breed because they will go that extra mile ;)
 
I know that you say that you would like to avoid a large powerful dog, but a Rottweiler ticks all the boxes you have listed.

They are not much bigger than a labrador, are super trainable, great family dogs and will deter all but the most determined ;) and all the ones I know are not what I describe as being dominant over other dogs.

That said, of course it's all about how you bring them up, they need to be moulded into the dog that you want.

Good luck with your decision :)
 
horseloaner said:
Breeders put everyone off those who make the effort to go back and to look at training etc are usually right for the breed because they will go that extra mile ;)
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This ^ I've done discover dogs for my breed and spent the entire time telling people how difficult they are! Highly intelligent, need a job to do, need to be well socialised at an early age otherwise can be nervous.... the list went on!

However... ALL of these things are correct and while they can be overcome with training and worked with they ARE characteristics that are typical of the breed that people need to be aware of... My point is that while the breeder will be really stressing the bad points none the less those things will exist in some form and the strong hunting instinct, assuming it leads to the dog disappearing off hunting, would be a big problem for me.
 
LJR said:
I know that you say that you would like to avoid a large powerful dog, but a Rottweiler ticks all the boxes you have listed.

They are not much bigger than a labrador, are super trainable, great family dogs and will deter all but the most determined ;) and all the ones I know are not what I describe as being dominant over other dogs.

That said, of course it's all about how you bring them up, they need to be moulded into the dog that you want.

Good luck with your decision :)
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Hmmm, I am concerned but know several people with them that absoloutley adore the breed AND the charity I foster for have just mentioned to me that they've just gotten in an absolutely lovely, very sweet and kind 13week old Rottie bitch :rolleyes: but I still have reservations and the biggest is for our other dogs. Also.... slightly strange one but can anybody tell me just how much do they slobber :eek::D!?!
 
horseloaner said:
if your not in any rush they have a funday coming up where you could go along and meet the breed and some of their owners http://www.podengos.org/id26.html

Not sure if they will be attending Discover Dogs most breeds are represented but you could also go along to that in November http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/ its actually a good way to go and have a look at a lot of different breeds ideal if your not really sure what you want from a dog. Obviously you won't get the crossed breeds or lurchers but it is well worth a visit.
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Thanks for this, I would probably be hoping to have a dog before then but otherwise this is what I'd like to do.

Will definitely be going to discover dogs to try to help with the decision... think it's one of the best things to do when looking for a dog if you can. Took mine there last year was very interesting to be there on the other side :D
 
You should look in the Japanese Chin Dog. They can weight 3 lb to 15 lb. So I suggest looking for the larger sized ones. Training/conditioning is important of course if you want it to get used to different environments like the horses and other dogs and people. There are different ways to train dogs of course, just fyi, this might interest you: http://dogmantics.com/free-video-list/ the trainer has more videos on her youtube account than on her website including FAQs and Tips. ;) hope that helps
 
actually nevermind the japanese chin. I highly recommend the lhasa apso. intimidating guard dog bark, obedient, easy to train, efficient guard dogs, not too hyper, convenient size, can be submissive to alpha dogs, gentle, very affectionate, patient, impressive in intelligence and stamina. just be sure to train them! ...I actually wrote a long story about my experience with lhasa apsos but I got signed out so everything I wrote disappeared :( .... so just believe me, lhasa apso is the dog you are looking for. lol
 
My rottie x gsd rescue is incredibly friendly to people and dogs, submissive enough without being a total wimp, and a great thief deterrent with his huge bark, providing you don't open the door as he's a great wiggly lump. He plays with anything from pugs to big gsds, although hasn't quite learnt gentle play h is careful around my parents elderly terrier cross. He's generally not slobbery, but has done a hooch impression once or twice :)

I think a rescue could have the perfect dog for you :)
 
Hi, I've been looking at breeds also and keep coming back to the german pinscher. It ticks the boxes for what you are looking for and look like a small Doberman . They are supposed to be good guard dogs, good around horses and intelligent. They are a medium sized breed. I can only find a couple of listed breeders in the UK though.
 
I would say Lab or Lab X (but please try and get one from a rescue before looking for breeders- and this accounts for any type of dog!) as they seem to match all of your criteria. My Lab X Staff matches all of it apart from being good with other dogs but that's the staff in him. He's not agressive, he just doesn't know how to behave around them, especially small dogs.
 
Your list sounds quite similar to mine! We currently have a Rott and he fits all your requirements except perhaps 100% (if such a thing exists) that your smaller dogs wouldn't get squashed! However a female will be smaller (as someone above said, not much bigger than a lab). I would have a rottie girl next (our boy has osteosarcoma :( ) but OH wants a dog and I want something a tiny bit smaller, so we after much deliberation are on a list for a Portuguese water dog puppy. Don't be put off by the lion clips - most pets re just kept in an all over trim and are ever so cute
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=po...AeLioCQBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=320&bih=416#i=4
 
BullMastiff all the way.

I have a horse yard and wanted something imposing but gentle and sociable aswell and they fit the bill. They look the part to deter ner do wells but to their friends they are totally soppy. They get on really well with other people and dogs.
 
Shame I wanted to know the answer. I was also interested to know what she meant by high energy? Springer Spaniel energy or normal staffie energy (and having met someone who breeds working springers, I am now aware of the big difference between a working line and a show line!).
 
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