Portuguese Podengo is originated from Portugal but Vizsla is originated from Hungary. Both Portuguese Podengo and Vizsla are having almost same height. Portuguese Podengo may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Vizsla. Portuguese Podengo may live 4 years more than Vizsla. Both Portuguese Podengo and Vizsla has almost same litter size. Both Portuguese Podengo and Vizsla requires Low Maintenance.
The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient hound dog from Portugal. It is available as a small dog, medium and large dog.
The coats can be short and smooth or longer and wiry. They were imported into the United States in the 1990's and they are also recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in Europe. They are also recognized by the United Kennel Club. In America they are part of the Rare Breed Association.
The Hungarian Vizsla or Magyar Vizsla is a hunting dog developed in Hungry. It is the smallest of the pointer-retriever type breeds. They are loyal family dogs and hunt fowl and upland game. It was rare for a hunting dog to also be a companion and family dog, but the Vizsla is. The first time the Vizsla came to the attention of anyone outside its area was 1357 in a publication written for King Louis I of Hungary. They were kept mostly by barons and warlords and preserved without any interbreeding for centuries.
Through all the occupations, revolutions and world wars, the Vizsla survived. Still there were some points in their history where they were almost extinct. In the 1800’s English Pointers and German Shorthaired Pointers almost replaced them. After World War II they were almost extinct again with only a dozen or so left in the country.
Breeders across Hungry brought them back again. They were also bred in Serbia, Slovakia, Austria and Romania. They came to the states after the war and quickly were embraced. The Vizsla Club of America was formed so that they could be recognized by the American Kennel Club. This happened in 1960 and the Vizsla quickly became a champion in several AKC specialties.
The Weimaraner, the German Shorthaired Pointers, the Wirehaired Vizsla and other pointers were developed from the Vizsla and then used to re-establish the breed following World War II.
The Portuguese Podengo is available in three sizes. He stands roughly at between 20 to 30 cm and weighs between 4.1 to 5.9 kg. The dog is similar in looks to other hunting dogs native to the Mediterranean, such as the Pharoah Hound.
They are small to medium sized dogs. The eyes are brown, the ears are erect and the tail long and thick, held low and with a bit of a curve when at rest.
The body of the dog is lean and well muscled and the head wedge shaped. The coat is essentially short and smooth though you also get the longer, wiry coat. The coat is found in shades of fawn or yellow and with some white markings.
This Portuguese sighthound is energetic, comical sometimes, sweet and loving. Being alert, he also makes a good watchdog.
He is intelligent, he is easily trained and socialized and gets on well with children in the house if they have been disciplined to respect and be kind to animals.
He is somewhat aloof around strangers and this is actually what makes him a good watchdog.
It is said that the Portuguese Podengo isn't bred to be a companion dog, being bred exclusively as a working hunting dog. This explains why it doesn’t have such a ‘companionable’ temperament as some other dog breeds.
The golden/rust colored Vizsla is easily distinguished from other breed. They are a medium sixed pointer with a lean frame and light on their feet. They have long ears that are silky to the touch and well defined muscular structure. Their nose is a red color blending in with their coat color. Their eyes and nails also blend in with the color of the coat.
For the most part they are some shade of golden-rust, but today there are also some solid rust dogs as well. Officially the coat can be russet gold, copper-brown, or dark sandy gold. It cannot be mahogany red or pale yellow. The coat is dense, smooth, short and without an undercoat. They have docked tails as well.
The Portuguese Podengo loves pleasing his human owners – loving to be in the company of his human family.
He is an independent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. He is wary around strangers, but this makes him a good watchdog.
He loves lots of exercise and will want mental and physical stimulation to be happy and content and as bright as he is.
Provide him with good care and he promises to make you a wonderful pet and companion.
The Portuguese Podengo is a robust, healthy dog that can get to 14 years of age if he is looked after well and exercised.
The dog doesn’t battle with genetic disorders. It is thought that the most common problems with this dog are the injuries he gets from being such an outdoor, hunting dog. He could well rip his nail or have porcupine quills in his muzzle.
Some common dog diseases to be aware of are cancer, bloat,skin diseases and eye problems.
The Vizsla have few health issues but the ones they do have are quite serious. They include:
• Cancer (Mast cell, Lymphoma and Hemangiosarcoma) – as will most dogs it can be treated but is still likely to kill the dog.
• Hip dysplasia is rare, but cases have been noted. Can cause lameness and/or arthritis.
• Sebaceous adenitis – rare skin disease found more often in cats or birds than in dogs.
The Podengo is always game and ready for a good time and likes nothing more than a good walk as well as the chance to get off his leash and have a bit of free time. He also loves ball games, being pulled along while he holds tightly on to a piece of rope and he loves darting back and forwards with a frisbee.
Many things can change a dog’s longevity, and diet is one. A good nutritious diet with vitamins and minerals will give your dog less of a chance to get sick. If you go for the best quality commercially manufactured dog foods, you’ll find they are both convenient and well balanced.
To provide your dog with just a bit of variety in his diet, some home-made food added into the dry kibble from time to time will delight your pet.
No need to make preparing the food a huge issue either. Boil brown rice and chicken in a pot and add in sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. Chop all this up and as a treat, add smaller portions of it into the dry kibble. This is a real treat for your dog. You’ll see his thanks in his bright eyes and wagging tail.
Try to include a bit of raw meat occasionally and never let your dog be without a constant source of fresh, cool water.
Make sure his puppy vaccines are up to date.
Have your dog spayed or neutered if you don’t want your dog being a parent.
Provide your dog with a warm, dry, comfy pace to sleep.
Trim his nails and check inside his ears for redness and infection.
Check for fleas and ticks when you brush him.
Get him to the vet when you can see he s sick.
Feeding the puppy This is a very active dog and he need a high calorie diet as a puppy. Feed 4-5 cups in 3-4 smaller meals per day.
2.Feeding the adult Feed the adult high calorie food if you exercise her enough. Feed 3 cups of food twice a day.
4. Exercise They love to run but don’t’ overdo it until they are at least 18 to 24 months old. They stay very playful their entire lives and excel at AKC competitions. They are good at agility, field trials, scent work, obedience, conformation, dock diving, rally, lure coursing, track and barn hunt.