Portuguese Podengo

Expert Grooming Article

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Portuguese Podengo

The Portuguese Podengo, also known as the Podengo Português or Portuguese Warren Hound, is a hound (sight and scent) breed from Portugal. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). Their coats are either short and ‘smooth’, or longer and ‘wired’. The smooth coated variety is traditional, whereas the wire coated variety is an outcome of the assimilation of various other breeds during the 20th century. In general, the breed is healthy; the Pequeno (small) variety has an average lifespan of approximately 15–17 years.

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The Portuguese Podengo

The Portuguese Podengo, also known as the Podengo Português or Portuguese Warren Hound, is a hound (sight and scent) breed from Portugal. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small (Pequeno), medium (Médio) and large (Grande). Their coats are either short and ‘smooth’, or longer and ‘wired’. The smooth coated variety is traditional, whereas the wire coated variety is an outcome of the assimilation of various other breeds during the 20th century. In general, the breed is healthy; the Pequeno (small) variety has an average lifespan of approximately 15–17 years.

All Podengo types are hardy, intelligent and lively dogs, excelling at agility and making fine companions. Loyal and fearless, Podengos are also good house guards and are amenable to training by dog experienced people and those that enjoy primitive (unrefined, “less domesticated”) dog behaviour.

Keen hunting dogs, the Podengo has an affinity for game regardless of size. Typically, the dogs hunt in a pack with their handler following. When game is found, they kill and retrieve it, or flush it towards the hunter to be shot. Each size category traditionally hunts game appropriate to their size and temperament. (Pequeno: rabbits; Medio: rabbits and wild boar; Grande: deer and wild boar).

Portuguese Podengos come in two coat varieties. Either short and smooth or long and wire, both of medium thickness, without undercoat. The short coat is more dense than the wire coat. In the wire variety the hair on the muzzle is longer (bearded). Yellow and fawn in all shades from light to dark, with or without white markings, or white with patches of these colours. In the small Podengo, the following colours are accepted but not preferred: black, brown, with or without white markings or white with patches of these colours.

Starting with the face always use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It Shampoo. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Leave this on until all the shampooing of the body is done and then rinse off.

Now for the body use for both the long and wire coats use the specialised shampoo Plush Puppy Texture + Shampoo. This shampoo thoroughly yet gently cleanses and deodorises the coat of Terriers and other wire, harsh or coarse coated breeds without softening or compromising texture. It’s ideal for boosting body and coarseness in coats of all colours and coat types. It is low irritant, pH controlled and is easy to rinse out. It is full of beneficial and powerful extracts that combine to nourish and vitalise the skin. Use at 1:10 (1 part shampoo to 10 parts water). Lather and then rinse thoroughly.

On the white coat areas of both coats use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng. This is great for the white areas and can be used at 1:5-10 (1 part shampoo to 5/10 parts water).

Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a rich formula. It works brilliantly to whiten whites and intensify darker colours. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. It reduces yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white areas of the coat and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. Similarly for darker colours, it will reduce any warm tones to intensify the depth of colour by revitalising any lost cool tones.

The brilliant thing with Plush Puppy Shampoos is that you can combine them and use in one shampoo while still gaining all outcomes! Just wonderful!

For short and smooth coats use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo with Henna. Use at a ratio of 1:5 for show grooming. This can be reduced to 1:10 for maintenance baths. We call this the ‘Shine’ shampoo as it features natural Henna stalk extracts that impart a beautiful gloss and shine to your dog’s coat. All Purpose Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources and also features Alpine and Lichen herbs. It is wonderful to use on normal to slightly dehydrated coats.

Don’t use a conditioner on this type of coat as it will only soften and make it fluffy. To ensure a healthy coat you still require hydration.
For this use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This will add shine, hydrate and condition the coat with its truly beneficial blend of extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.

You apply the following mix to a well rinsed wet coat after your shampooing process. Add 1 teaspoon of Seabreeze Oil to 2 Litres of water, then either sponge on or sluice well through the wet coat and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. As this is an essential oil based product don’t use around the eyes.
Seabreeze Oil is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour by maintaining moisture in the skin and coat. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing. Again LEAVE IN AND DO NOT RINSE. You will get a nice healthy sheen on the coat with this routine.

At times due to various reasons including the weather static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray using the latest technology is infused with organic extracts of Witch Hazel Leaf, Linden Flower, Birch Bark and Nettle. It also adds to the protection, include a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat strength for the perfect finished look of the coat. This amazing product is idea for this breed and a must for your tack box.

On show day apply Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream which is a great cover for stains or any discolouration. Excellent on “red” area on worn elbows and to the white on the muzzle. When you really need to cover stains on your whites or intensify your white areas. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount and build up coverage as required layer by layer. Then use powder or chalk as required while the cream is drying. Brush off excess when dry.

Add a tiny bit of Plush Puppy Chalkestral with your fingertips to the white legs to assist holding the white powder you apply. You need something to help grip and to protect the coat from abrasion. Best of all is Plush Puppy Fairy Frost Regular. This ultra-fine and bright white powder that is more effective and innovative than the usual methods of white chalking and adding powder to coats. Fairy Frost will create the brightest white tone that clings all day. Plus, it covers all coats without creating harshness. Fine and easy to use, our formulation means a little goes a long way. Fairy Frost Regular is naturally sourced and contains no chalk or talc. Use this product instead of chalk or mix with your usual white powder. This product is best for glamorous, perfect whites as it never gets clumpy, even when wet. This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed off. Apply with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush. Work well into the area where required for enhancing whites and cover. The absolute best for glamorous perfect whites.

Keep on hand Plush Puppy Wonder Wash which is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for any last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto! Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self-rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy cleaning without the need for a complete bath. It contains optical brighteners, has a fresh apple fragrance, and violet tone. In moments when regular shampooing is not an option, Wonder Wash will clean, whiten and brighten problem areas on all coat kinds.

Lastly a quick spray with Plush Puppy Odour Muncher. It literally munches the odour and works well for smelly problems such as emergencies in transit. Odour Muncher leaves a light fragrance – certainly not too much and definitely not too little. It is a deodoriser as well as a fragrance, eating up the nasty odour and leaving a good fresh smell.

Now your Portuguese Podengo is look their very best. This is a wonderful breed full of personality and will catch many a judges eye.

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