Podenco Canario

The history of the Podenco Canario is one of the oldest and most fascinating amongst all dog breeds. It is believed that its ancestors originated in Ancient Egypt and the Middle East. Depictions of dogs bearing a striking resemblance to the modern Podenco can be found on the walls of pharaohs’ tombs dating back to 3400 BC. The most famous is the depiction of the god Anubis with the head of a jackal, whose features are remarkably similiar to the profile of this dog. This suggests that such dogs have existed for millennia, remaining virtually unchanged in appearance.

These dogs likely arrived on the Canary Islands with ancient seafarers – Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and later Romans – who traded actively along the African coast. Isolation on the islands and the harsh conditions of the volcanic landscape contributed to the breed’s formation through natural selection. Only the strongest, fastest, and most resilient individuals survived, perfectly adapted for hunting the rabbits that had been introduced to the islands and multiplied rapidly. Interestingly, the name of the archipelago itself, “Canary Islands”, comes from the Latin “Canariae Insulae” – “Islands of Dogs”, which may be linked specifically to the large population of these aboriginal animals.

For centuries, the breed was cultivated by local hunters exclusively for its working qualities. Official recognition by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) came only in 1987. The Podenco Canario is a close relative of other Mediterranean sighthound breeds, such as the Podenco Ibicenco (Ibizan Hound) from the Balearic Islands and the Portuguese Podengo, which together form a group of primitive hunting dogs that have retained their archaic features.

The Podenco Canario is a medium-sized dog with a lean and light, yet robust build. It looks like a true athlete, with every feature testifying to speed and stamina. Its body is slightly elongated, with well-developed musculature that is especially noticeable on the back and legs.

• Head: Elongated, in the shape of a truncated cone, with a flat skull. The stop (transition from forehead to muzzle) is barely perceptible. The muzzle is long and sharp with strong jaws.
• Eyes: Almond-shaped, small, usually amber or dark hazel in colour. The expression is intelligent, attentive, and somewhat alert.
• Ears: Large, erect, and very mobile. In a state of rest, they may be folded back, but when excited or concentrating, they stand vertically, giving the dog its characteristic alert appearance.
• Body: The back is straight and strong, the chest is deep but not too broad, and the stomach is well tucked up. This ensures aerodynamics and freedom of movement.
• Tail: Low-set, long, and sabre-shaped. While moving, the dog carries it raised, but not curled over the back.
• Coat: Short, smooth, and dense. It does not require complex grooming.
• Colour: Predominantly a combination of red (from light orange to deep mahogany) and white. There can be solid red dogs with small white markings, or piebald (white with red patches). The piebald colouring is considered the most prized.

The character of the Podenco Canario is a unique blend of hunting zeal and domestic gentleness. It is a brave, energetic, and slightly highly-strung dog when it comes to work or active play, but at home, it transforms into a calm and affectionate companion.

They are extremely devoted to their owner and family but can be reserved with strangers, which is not a display of aggression but rather natural caution. Aggression is completely atypical for this breed, so they do not make good guard dogs, although their barking can warn of the arrival of strangers.

The Podenco Canario gets on well with children, espeically if they are raised together. They are patient and playful. They also coexist excellently with other dogs, as they are used to working in a pack. However, their hunting instinct is very strong. Any small animal – a cat, rabbit, or hamster – will be perceived as potential prey. Therefore, keeping them with cats requires very early and thorough socialisation, and even then, they should not be left unsupervised.

The Podenco Canario is one of the healthiest breeds in the world. This is the result of rigorous natural selection over centuries. These dogs do not have a long list of hereditary diseases characteristic of many artificially bred breeds. They are incredibly resilient, capable of working for hours on difficult terrain and tolerating heat easily. However, like any living creature, they require proper care to maintain their health.

1. General Prevention: The foundation of health is regular vaccination, treatment against parasites (fleas, ticks, worms), and annual check-ups with a vet.
2. Injuries: Due to high activity and a love for running, particularly across rough terrain, there is a risk of injuries – cuts, sprains, or damage to paw pads. It is important to inspect the dog after every intense walk.
3. Sensitivity to Anaesthesia: Like many other sighthounds, Podencos have a low percentage of body fat, which makes them sensitive to certain types of anaesthesia. The vet must be warned about this before any operation.
4. Dental Care: Regular oral care is important to prevent tartar build-up and periodontitis.

With proper care and a balanced diet, these dogs live long and healthy lives, remaining active well into old age.

Keeping a Podenco Canario has its nuances related to its energy levels and hunting background. This is not a dog that will be happy lounging on the sofa all day long.

Physical Exercise: This is the most critical aspect of care. The Podenco Canario requires at least 1.5-2 hours of intense physical activity every day. A quiet walk on the lead is not enough. Ideal activities include running alongside a bicycle, long jogs, games with a frisbee, or the opportunity to run freely in a large, securely fenced area. Without sufficient exercise, the dog can become destructive, anxious, and unmanageable.

Living Conditions: The best option for this dog is a house with a large, well-fenced garden. The fence must be high (at least 2 metres), as Podencos are excellent jumpers. Living in a flat is possible only if the owner is prepared to dedicate a lot of time to daily active and lengthy walks.

Grooming: Caring for the short coat of the Podenco Canario is very simple. It is sufficient to brush it once a week with a rubber mitt to remove dead hair. The dog needs bathing only when necessary. Often, traditional bathing can be replaced by wiping with a damp cloth. It is also important to regularly check and clean the ears and trim the claws.

Podenco Canarios are intelligent and sharp-witted dogs, but training them can be a challenge due to their independent nature. They were bred for autonomous work, so they are not always inclined to obey commands blindly. Training must be consistent, patient, and based on positive reinforcement. Harsh methods will yield no results and may only destroy the trust between dog and owner. Similar character traits are noted in the Anglo-Russian Hound, which also requires a special approach.

Early socialisation is absolutely essential. The puppy needs to be introduced to various people, sounds, places, and other animals from an early age. This helps to raise a confident and balanced dog. Particular attention should be paid to recall commands (“come!”), because due to their strong hunting instinct, the dog may ignore all commands if it spots potential prey. For this same reason, it is not recommended to let a Podenco off the lead in unfenced areas.

Although the Podenco Canario is not a fussy eater, its diet must be high-quality and balanced to cover its high energy needs. A monotonous diet can negatively affect its wellbeing.

• Type of Feeding: You can use either high-quality dry food for active medium-sized breeds or a natural diet.
• Dietary Base: The foundation should be animal protein – lean meat (beef, turkey, chicken) and offal.
• Additional Components: The diet should be supplemented with grains (rice, buckwheat), vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, courgettes), a small amount of fermented milk products, and fresh greens.
• Portion Frequency: An adult dog is usually fed twice a day – in the morning and evening. It is important not to overfeed to avoid excess weight, which puts strain on the joints.

Despite their unique ability to tolerate thirst, clean and fresh water must be available at all times.

• Ancient Roots: This is one of the few breeds that has kept its appearance practically unchanged for thousands of years.
• “Blushing” from Excitement: When the dog is excited or happy, its ears and nose turn a bright pink due to increased blood flow.
• Unique Hunter: Unlike most sighthounds, the Podenco uses all three senses for hunting – sight, smell, and hearing – making it a versatile hunter.
• “Climbing Dog”: They are extremely agile and can scramble up rocks and even trees in pursuit of prey.
• Link to the Islands’ Name: It is believed that the name “Canary Islands” comes from the word for “dog”, and not from the canary bird, precisely because of the large number of these animals on the islands in ancient times.

Is the Podenco Canario suitable for a family with children?
Yes, they generally get on well with children, especially if raised together. They are patient and non-aggressive. However, due to their high energy, any interaction with small children should be supervised.

Can Podenco Canarios live in a flat?
Theoretically yes, but it is highly inadvisable. This is only possible if the owner can provide 2+ hours of very intensive daily training. Without this, the dog will suffer. The ideal place for them is a house with a large, securely fenced garden.

Do they shed a lot?
No, shedding is minimal. Regular brushing once a week will help keep it under control.

Can a Podenco Canario be kept with a cat?
This is very risky. Their hunting instinct is extremely strong. Co-habitation is possible only if the puppy has grown up with the cat from a very early age, but even then, they should not be left unsupervised.

Do they bark a lot?
They are not a “yappy” breed. Usually, they give voice to warn of something unusual or during a hunt, but they do not bark without reason.