History of occurrence
On the Canary Islands, from where he originates, he is known under the name of Podenco Canario. We meet him frequently on all the islands, especially on the biggest, on the Gran Canary Island and the Isle of Teneriffe. The Podenco Canario is a dog of Egyptian origin which was probably imported to the Canary Islands by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians and the Egyptians themselves. It is one of the most ancient breeds in existence, because we find numerous vestiges (engravings, statues, bas-reliefs) in the tombs of the Pharaohs and in the museums of the Louvre or the British Museum. This breed dates back about seven thousand years.
General form
It is a dog of medium size, built on longish lines, slender, light and extremely resistant. The skeleton is well developed. The absence of layers of fat make it possible to see the rib cage as well as the spinal column and the hip bones. The musculature is developed to the highest degree, lean, the contractions of the muscles are visible through the skin.
Отличительная особенность породы Podenco Canario
Head: hlongated, truncated cone shape, well in proportion with the body, of medium length of 21 to 22 cm. The cranial-facial axes are parallel.
Skull: longer than wide, flat, with the occipital crest prominent.
Stop: barely marked.
Nose: large, flesh-coloured in harmony with the colour of the coat. Nostrils moderately open.
Muzzle: large and prominent, in shape of a blunt cone, more or less dark flesh colour in harmony with the coat.
Lips: fine and tight, of a colour in harmony with the nose.
Jaws/teeth: scissor bite, teeth adapting perfectly, well developed.
Eyes: oblique, small, almond-shaped. More or less dark amber in colour; the intensity depends on the colour of the coat. The expression is intelligent and full of nobleness.
Ears: quite big, they rise up when the dog is in a state of excitation and are pricked in a slightly divergent position. At rest, they tip backwards. They are broad at their set on, ending in a point.
Neck: well muscled, straight, with smooth skin and without dewlap, flexible and rounded.
Back: strong, musculature well developed, fit for the racing and the demands of the hunt.
Loin: a little elongated.
Croup: bones of the rump quite solid, more visible in the thin subjects or in full hunting season.
Chest: the sternum is not protruding. Chest well developed, yet does not come down to the elbow.
Ribs oval.
Belly: drawn up, without being as whippety as the Galgo.
Flanks well marked.
Forequarters: perfectly vertical, straight and parallel; bone structure fine but solid; feet in shape of cat-feet, generally slightly turned outwards.
Pads firm, slightly oval.
Hindquarters: well vertical, straight, robust; musculature well developed; hock quite high (about 18 cm from the ground); cat-feet really straight, pads firm and oval shaped.
Rather low set, appears as an extension of the rump. Round, reaches only a little lower than the hock. Hanging, or raised in sickle shape. A little tapered at the tip, which is usually white. Is never rolled up. It is not desirable it be carried too high when moving.
The trot must be agile, extended and very light.
Hair: smooth, short and dense.
Colour: preferably red and white, the red may be more or less intense, going from orange to dark red (mahogany).
The trot must be agile, extended and very light.
Character
Courageous, nervy, agitated, and of an enthusiastic dynamism. Imposing but not at all aggressive. Attached with abnegation to his master, he stoically puts up with the most rigorous days without the least sign of fatigue.
Maintenance care
The coat of the breed is rather shiny and able to be wipe with a wet cloth or chamois to maintain its tidy look. The short coat of the breed needs time to time brushing.
Being an energetic and highly strong dog, the breed needs abundant amount of exercises and mental stimulation in wider open areas to run and play. It is adjustable and suitable for those houses that are with large yards, preferably, country sides and suburban settings. It is not fit for small homes and apartments. It will take part in dogs sports that needs energy and speed. This dog must be given a large amount of exercise to drain out its unnecessary energy or the dog may display unwanted behavioral issues like chewing and digging.
Lifespan — 11-13 years.
Dignity
If socialized well with other pets at home and children it may tend to behave gently with them.
These dogs are not bred with aggression, some may, but generally, the various dogs of the breed are remarkably very gentle and loyal like Greyhound.
It is very attached and dedicated to the owner.
Difficulty keeping
The Podenco Canario demands a lot of exercise since he is a very energetic dog, always ready to work, so make sure you have a plan of daily activities for this buddy.
Diseases
A seldom genetic sexual development disorder has been seen in one dog of the breed, a disorder of ovotesticular/testicular, that can result only in dogs who are genetically females developing testes or ovotestes despite ovaries.
