Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed ComparisonPortuguese Podengo is originated from Portugal but Miniature Schnauzer is originated from Germany. Portuguese Podengo may grow 6 cm / 2 inches shorter than Miniature Schnauzer. Both Portuguese Podengo and Miniature Schnauzer are having almost same weight. Both Portuguese Podengo and Miniature Schnauzer has almost same life span. Both Portuguese Podengo and Miniature Schnauzer has same litter size. Portuguese Podengo requires Low maintenance. But Miniature Schnauzer requires Moderate maintenance

History

portuguese podengo - historyThe 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.

miniature schnauzer - historyMiniature Schnauzers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century being bred from Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.

This dog was always used to control rats on farms, but these days he is more a companion. It is believed that the start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States was around 1924 when dogs were imported from Germany.

It was in 1933 that the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized by the AKC as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Portugal
Germany
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Portuguese Rabbit Hound
Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer)
Colors Available:
Fawn or yellow - some white markings
salt-and-pepper coat – mix of black and white. , Black and silver
Coat:
Short and smooth or medium length and wiry
Double, wiry medium-length coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

portuguese podengo puppy - descriptionThe 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.

miniature schnauzer puppy - descriptionThe Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that stands between 30 to 36cm in height and weighs between 5 and 10kg.

He has a sturdy body with a dense, wiry coat which most people prefer to have stripped. Because stripping is quite tedious, many of these dog owners prefer to have the coat clipped which actually gives the coat a greyish look to it.

The coat is usually a mix of black and silver. Some people refer to the Miniature Schnauzer as having a salt-and-pepper coat – hairs that are a mix of black and white. The dog has a double coat with the outer coat being wiry and the undercoat being a lot softer.

This is a dog that will need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting. A noticeable feature with these dogs is the rectangular shaped head with alert slanted eyes and bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard. In fact the word ‘Schnauzer’ means beard or muzzle.

The ears have been traditionally cropped but these days they are left and then they tend to be half-erect, half-floppy.

Temperament:

This is a tough little dog, fearless, cheeky, arrogant, alert and also friendly. A draw-card with him is that he is considered as a low-shedder and being hypoallergenic.

They’re very intelligent dogs too and will learn quickly when you give him training and socialization. This is important for a dog like this as he can quickly show you that he is strong willed and independent. Training and socialization makes him much nicer as he becomes more balanced and obedient.

He is full of life and extroverted and you can count on him to join you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Whether watching TV, swimming or hiking, he’ll be there and turn every occasion into a festive event. He is a loving, loyal dog, making a splendid pet.

He's protective of his human family and tends to be suspicious of strangers, and this is what makes him such a great watchdog.

Characteristics

portuguese podengo dog - characteristicsThe 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.

miniature schnauzer dog - characteristicsMiniature Schnauzers are such adaptable little dogs, quite happy to make a home with you in the city or in the countryside.

They’re sociable dogs, so just being with his human family wherever they are will suit him well. If he lives in the city however, he will need to have a walk everyday or taken to the park for a run.

He is also a dog that scarcely sheds, so he suits people battling with allergies. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, if you nurture your Mini Schnauzer and give him the best food and exercise there is, as well as loving him, you’re going to have a loyal and devoted pet.

Health Problems

portuguese podengo puppies - health problemsThe 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.

miniature schnauzer puppies - health problemsYour Miniature Schnauzer is pretty healthy and he isn’t likely to cost you much in terms of vet fees. There are however some common dog problems that you want to be aware of such as cataracts of the eye and hypothyroidism.

Cataract:

This a a problem in the lens of the eye. The lens should be clear, and when a dog has a cataract, it obscures the vision. The size of the cataract can lead to blindness.

Diabetes in a dog can bring on cataracts as can genetics or damage to the eye from exposure to ultraviolet light. Fortunately, dogs with cataracts can still see. Dogs with old cataracts can have surgery to remove them.

When a dog owner suspects a cataract in their pet’s eye it is best to treat it immediately with anti-inflammatory dog cataract eye drops. Cataracts never go away however without surgery.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine. It controls metabolism, but with hypothyroidism, enough of the hormone isn’t made. Its a common disease which affects all dog breeds.

Signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, weight gain, intolerance to cold and a troublesome skin. To have the disease diagnosed, the vet will do a series of blood tests.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

portuguese podengo dogs - caringThe 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.

miniature schnauzer dogs - caringLet’s look at several ways you need to care for your Miniature Schnauzer -

Make sure you have his puppy injections on time. This means knowing which veterinarian you’ll use. Later on if you don’t want to go in for breeding, you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Make sure you have a nice warm, dry spot for your dog to sleep. It can be a cardboard box, or you can buy a dog basket or sleeping platform. Make sure your pet loves it and knows he can retreat to it anytime he wants.

If he goes outside for a few hours, make sure that he has a place to lie in the shade and away from the elements.

Good food promotes good health and longevity. You can feed your pet one of the top quality commercially manufactured foods and give your pet some variety by adding in some boiled chicken, vegetables and brown rice. Some raw meat occasionally can also be excellent for your pet.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Portuguese Podengo vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Podengo vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  3. Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  4. Portuguese Podengo vs Beaglier - Breed Comparison
  5. Portuguese Podengo vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison
  6. Portuguese Podengo vs Basset Artesien Normand - Breed Comparison
  7. Portuguese Podengo vs Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  8. Pug vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed Comparison
  9. Rat Terrier vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed Comparison
  10. Scottish Terrier vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed Comparison
  11. Russell Terrier vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed Comparison
  12. Schipperke vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed Comparison
  13. Portuguese Podengo vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  14. Portuguese Podengo vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  15. Portuguese Podengo vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Portuguese Podengo vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  17. Portuguese Podengo vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Portuguese Podengo vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  19. Portuguese Podengo vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Portuguese Podengo vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  21. Portuguese Podengo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Portuguese Podengo vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  23. Portuguese Podengo vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Schnauzer vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Schnauzer vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Schnauzer vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Schnauzer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Schnauzer vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Schnauzer vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Schnauzer vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Schnauzer vs Manchester Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Schnauzer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Schnauzer vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Schnauzer vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Schnauzer vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Schnauzer vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Schnauzer vs Kaikadi - Breed Comparison
  45. Rat Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  46. Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  47. Patterdale Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  48. Norwich Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds