The same year in 2003 the smallest of the three dogs was introduced to the UK. The first wired-haired Podengos were exhibited in the States in 2001 and two years later smooth coated dogs were introduced to America too. The breed has existed in Portugal since the 16th century but it's the small Podengo that has remained so highly prized and dogs are still used to hunt by sight scent and sound. They have also always been highly prized as companions and family pets thanks to their kind and affectionate natures being especially good around children and the fact they are very good watchdogs regardless of their small size.
Smooth haired Podengos were used in northern Portugal where the climate is that much wetter whereas wired-haired dogs were popular in the hotter and therefore drier regions of the land. Over time three sizes emerged with each of them having two coat types. What is known is that the small Podengo (Pequeno) has been around in Portugal since the 15th Century and that they have always been highly prized for their ability to go down burrows after their prey. Podengo translated from Portuguese means "warren hound" or "rabbit hunter" and these fast quick witted dogs were given their name because they proved to be skilled at the job they were asked to do.
They quickly became highly prized hunting dogs and more particularly when it came to chasing and catching rabbits even when they went down a burrow. These little dogs from Asia Minor were taken by Phoenician traders to many Mediterranean and north African countries during 700 BC. The Portugues Podengo is thought to be a descendant of the Pharaoh Hound of ancient Egypt and that they were taken to Portugal by Phoenician traders.
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