Podenco Canario

Podenco Canario

Female Podenco Canario abandoned in the countryside (now happily adopted in Germany)
Other names	Canary Islands Warren Hound Canarian Warren Hound
Country of origin	Spain
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 5:Spitz and Primitive types, Section 7:Primitive type - Hunting Dogs #329 standard The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. UKC Sighthound & Pariah standard

Podenco Canario (Canary Islands Warren Hound, Canarian Warren Hound) is a breed of dog originally from the Canary Islands. The Podenco Canario is still used in the Canary Islands today in packs as a hunting dog, primarily to control rabbits.

Appearance

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The Podenco Canario is a slender and lightly built but sturdy dog, of medium size, with height at the withers approximately 55 to 64 cm (21.7 to 25.2 ins) for males, females slightly smaller. Sizes vary with the terrain on which the dog hunts.^[1] The short, dense coat is usually white and some shade of red. The neck is long, the head is longer than it is wide, and the large ears are held up when the dog is excited. The long tail is low set, and is never rolled up. The tail is not carried too high when moving. The dog should move in an extended and agile trot. Faults, which indicate that a particular dog should not be bred, include aspects of appearance as well as structural faults that would impede the dog's ability to move and hunt, such as cow hocks and crossing of the fore and hindlegs at a trot. Aggressiveness is also a fault.^[1]

History

The Podencio Canario is found on all of the Canary Islands and descends from a very ancient type brought to the islands in antiquity, and, isolated there, remains an example of the very oldest breeds. It is thought to have originated in Egypt and North Africa, and brought to the Canaries by the very earliest human settlers on the islands.^[2] Linguistic and genetic analyses of the descendants of the earliest known human inhabitants of the Canary Islands seem to indicate a common origin with the Berbers of northern Africa,^[3] who may have brought the dogs there as a food source.^[4]

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are a serious pest in the islands, where they were introduced (first on La Palma) in the 16th century. Although rabbit hunting with the Podencio Canario is a sport, it is also a necessary part of pest control. Hunting seasons are organised to maximize rabbit control while minimizing any damage hunters and their dogs may do to agricultural areas.^[5]

The Podenco Canario is recognised by La Real Sociedad Canina de España (R.S.C.E., the Spanish Kennel Club) as an indigenous breed^[6] and is recognised internationally by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as breed number 329 in Group 5 Spitz and primitive types, Section 7 : Primitive type - Hunting Dogs, Spain. In North America the breed is listed with the United Kennel Club as a hunting dog in the Sighthound & Pariah Group. The breed is also recognized by a number of minor registries, hunting clubs, and internet-based dog registry businesses. Exported from its homeland, it is promoted as a rare breed for those seeking a unique pet.

Health and temperament

No diseases or claims of extraordinary health have been documented for this breed. The breed standard states that the typical behaviour is "nervy, agitated, and of an enthusiastic dymanism",^[1] a typical high-key hunting dog. Dogs of this breed that are aggressive should not be bred.

Similar breeds

Breeds also listed in Group 5/Section 7 include the Ibizan Hound, Cirneco dell'Etna, Portuguese Podengo, and the Thai Ridgeback.

See also

• Sighthound & Pariah Group

References

External links

• Podenco Canario at the Open Directory Project