Scottish Terrier vs Portuguese Podengo - 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.

The Scottish Terrier is also known as the Aberdeen Terrier but people who love and know him refer to him fondly as the Scottie.

These little dogs were originally bred to hunt vermin on farms and their actual origin is ancient. It is believed that the first descriptions of these dogs date way back to 1436 with there being 2 varieties - a rough-haired Scotch Terrier and a smooth-haired English Terrier.

In 1881 the Scottish Terrier Club of England was founded with the Scottish Terrier Club of Scotland being founded in 1888. Scotties were introduced to America in the early 1890s.

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.

The Scottish Terrier is a small dog, fairly robustly built but with short legs. He has a wiry, weather-resistant coat and a soft undercoat. The coat is essentially black but there are other colors too such as a wheaten shade, grey-black and brindle too.

The ears are erect, the eyes small and bright. The tail isn’t docked but is of medium length and is nearly always held up, without curling over the back.

Height at withers for both males and females should be roughly 23 to 26cm and weight in the region of 8 – 10 kg.

Temperament:

The Scottie is a an independent, robust breed. He is playful as a puppy, but as he matures he becomes more dignified and dour. He is stubborn, but being a terrier he is alert and makes a good watchdog. For a small dog he has a powerful bark.

He is smart too. Have him trained and socialized if you want him to be obedient.

Brave, loving and loyal, he can fit into life in the city or the countryside so long has he has his human family close by. He doesn’t take kindly to strangers and he he slightly aggressive with other dogs he doesn’t know. He makes a great playmate for children but he certainly doesn’t like being prodded, sat on and poked by small children.

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 Scottie is strong willed and independent, and training and socialization is important if you don’t want your Scottie believing he has the final say.

These dogs are stubborn and dominant and will need a strong, firm but kind owner. They’re aggressive with other dogs, but get on well with their human family.

When you bring one of these distinctive looking dogs into your home, he’ll be a loving, loyal friend.

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.

Your Scottie is looked upon as being a generally healthy dog breed, but as with any other healthy dogs, he can succumb to some of the conditions and diseases that dogs get -

Von Willebrand's Disease:

This is an inherited blood disorder where the blood doesn’t clot properly. The dog will bleed excessively after an injury. Fortunately, while there isn’t a cure, dogs can lead normal lives.

Cancer:

Scottish Terriers are more prone to developing cancer than other dogs. Bladder cancer, lymphosarcoma and malignant melanoma are just some of the cancers they can get. Some cancers are treatable and there is a good success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy.

When you brush your Scottie, look out for new, unusual lumps that could be indicative of cancer.

Scotty Cramp:

Scotty Cramp isn’t serious but uncomfortable for your pet. When your dog becomes worked up, you’ll see him arching his spine and he walks around for a few minutes with a stiff unnatural gait.

Obesity:

Obesity is regarded as a serious disease as it puts strain on the dogs joints and also creates back pain and digestive disorders.

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.

Exercise:

Scotties were once bred as working dogs, and they will certainly require daily exercise and stimulation. He will love a walk but you can’t expect him to run with you as he has short legs.

Grooming:

The Scottie sheds, so he will need to be brushed at least twice weekly. He will require quite a bit of grooming in terms of having the coat professionally trimmed and clipped.

His eyes and ears will need to be checked as well as his teeth. He can’t tell you if he has terrible toothache and while brushing him, check the teeth. Trim his nails too.

Diet:

It is always recommended that you feed dogs according to size, age and activity levels. Dogs are individuals and they don’t all need the same food.

The quality of the dog food you provide makes a huge difference on your dog’s health. It always pays to go with the better quality kibble available to dogs. Your Scottish Terrier will be depending on your for quality kibble with the right blend of vitamins and minerals.

Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency and you want to provide him with some home-made food too that gels well with his digestive system. A little bit of raw meat occasionally can also do him the world of good.

Make sure he always has cool, fresh water to drink.