St. John's Water Dog vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Portuguese Podengo - Breed ComparisonPortuguese Podengo is originated from Portugal but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Portuguese Podengo may grow 23 cm / 9 inches shorter than St. John's Water Dog. Portuguese Podengo may weigh 35 kg / 77 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Both Portuguese Podengo and St. John's Water Dog has almost same life span. Both Portuguese Podengo and St. John's Water Dog has almost same litter size. Both Portuguese Podengo and St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
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Portugal
Canada
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Portuguese Rabbit Hound
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
Fawn or yellow - some white markings
black
Coat:
Short and smooth or medium length and wiry
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

portuguese podengoThe 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.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

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.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

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.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

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.

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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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.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Portuguese Podengo vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  3. Portuguese Podengo vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
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  5. Portuguese Podengo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Portuguese Podengo vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  8. Portuguese Podengo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Portuguese Podengo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Portuguese Podengo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Portuguese Podengo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Portuguese Podengo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Portuguese Podengo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Portuguese Podengo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  17. Portuguese Podengo vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Portuguese Podengo vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
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  26. St. John's Water Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  28. St. John's Water Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. St. John's Water Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. St. John's Water Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. St. John's Water Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. St. John's Water Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. St. John's Water Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. St. John's Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. St. John's Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. St. John's Water Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. St. John's Water Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. St. John's Water Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. St. John's Water Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. St. John's Water Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. St. John's Water Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. St. John's Water Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. St. John's Water Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. St. John's Water Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. St. John's Water Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. St. John's Water Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. St. John's Water Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. St. John's Water Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. St. John's Water Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. St. John's Water Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison