Podengo Galego

The Podengo Galego is a traditional Spanish breed of warren hound from the autonomous community of Galicia in north-western Spain. It is recognised by the i=no – the Spanish ministry of agriculture – and by the Xunta de Galicia, but not by the Real Sociedad Canina de España.
It is one of four traditional breeds of Galicia, the others being the Can de Palleiro, the Guicho or Quisquelo, and the Perdigueiro Galego. It is related to the medium-sized variety of the Podengo Português of northern Portugal.

History

The Podengo Galego is a traditional breed of warren hound from the autonomous community of Galicia. It was officially recognised by the Xunta de Galicia in April 2001; it received national recognition by royal decree in May the same year. A stud-book was established at the same time; it is maintained by the breed society, the i=no.
It is distributed throughout Galicia, but mainly in the provinces of Ourense and Pontevedra.
Its conservation status was described in 2009 as "in danger of extinction", but improving. A dog census in the comarcas of O Deza and Tabeirós – Terra de Montes in Pontevedra in 2024 found of the dogs, or about 7% of all dogs identified by breed in the census; in some concellos of the area – including A Estrada, Cerdedo-Cotobade and Dozón – it was among the three most numerous breeds of dog. In 2025 The Podengo was listed by the Real Sociedad Canina de España among the breeds in the process of recovery.

Characteristics

The Podengo is of medium size and light build: body weights range from, while heights at the withers are from for bitches and for dogs; bitches are somewhat more slender than dogs. The coat may be of any shade of tan, ranging from sand-coloured to reddish; a chocolate or liver coat is occasionally also seen.

Use

The Podengo is a warren hound, used principally for hunting rabbit and hare, or occasionally for fox. It can also be trained to hunt feathered game such as partridge, quail or woodcock.