Portuguese Podengo vs Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore - Breed Comparison

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.

Originating in France, the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore has been recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006. He was developed in France in the 1800s.

He is a rare breed, even in France. Today he is essentially a hunting- and scentdog and isn't really kept as a companion pet. The breed is recognized in France too by the French Kennel Club and also recognized internationally in 1983. In France today the dog is bred and kept primarily as a hunting dog and pet combined.

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.

Temperament:

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.

Looking quite a bit like its Foxhound ancestors,the muscular Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is a large dog standing at 60cm to 70cm tall at the withers and weighing in the region of 30kg and 35kg.

The Tricolore has a fairly broad, flat head, black nose and large brown eyes. His ears are set at eye level, they are medium length and floppy. The legs of the dog are straight and strong and the chest is deep and broad. The tail is long and slim. His double coat coat is short and smooth and he is tri-colored – tan, white and black.

Temperament:

Your Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore has always been used as a hunting dog and scenthound and has been used in a hunting team. The dog has been created by crossing French scenthounds with English Foxhounds, with this particular dog being descended from crosses between the Foxhound and the tricoloured Poitevins.

There are actually 3 Grand Anglo-Français breeds, with this Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore being one. He is a docile dog and doesn't make a particularly good watchdog. The dog enjoys the company of other canines and while he can get on well with his human family, and is good and patient with children, he isn't the ideal pet with children, as his mind is on hunting and the chase and following exciting scents.

He is a dog totally dedicated to hunting and hunting in packs sees him getting on well in the presence of other dogs. His strong hunting instinct and his wish to roam on a scent makes it that he will require a very large garden.

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 Tricolore is an excellent hunter but he also makes a good family pet. Because of the dog having ingrained hunting skills you won't find him being used essentially as a pet.

He can be stubborn, but with training and socialization he can become obedient and amicable. He is a dog that will require a great deal of exercise as he is an exuberant dog and won't do well in an environment where there is scant regard to outdoor living and exercise.

While hunting is a great love of this tri-colored dog, he is also capable of being a loving and devoted pet.

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.

Living to be about 10-13 years of age, your Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore is fortunate to be a healthy dog, but just like many other dogs, he may well get sick and then, as a responsible dog owner, you need to get your 4-legged family member to the vet.

Hip Dysplasia:

An abnormal hip joint can be hard for your dog as you notice him becoming less active and battling to get up after lying down. Hip dysplasia can lead to osteoarthritis, a limp and lameness. Get him to the vet so that you can at least help with making your pet's problem easier to bear.

Bloat:

Typically with deep chested dogs, the Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore can develop the life-threatening problem of bloat, when the stomach twists.

Exercise:

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.

Diet:

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.

General Care for your pet:

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.

The exercise requirements of this breed are high and he thrives on being busy and being involved in a hunt. If you do happen to keep him as a pet, he will require plenty of intense exercise from going on walks to joining in with your jogging and cycling activities. He just never seems to get enough exercise.

Grooming:

The Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore requires little grooming and will do well with a good brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs.

Diet:

For your Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore to be strong and healthy, he'll need protein for strong bones and muscles.Protein needs to be the primary ingredient in an active dog's diet. If you're not sure, ask your vet about the best kibble to feed him and add in some raw meat to this every now and then.

Where possible, cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken can be added into the kibble too to make his diet more interesting and healthy. Fresh, cool water should be reachable for your dog 24/7.