Podenco Andaluz

Campo Life

Podenco Andaluz

It’s not uncommon, where I am, to see the local hunters pulling a trailer of Podencos hunting dogs behind their 4x4s going to and from their hunting grounds. They often travel in convoy with their dogs collectively forming part of a large hunting pack known as a rehala.

My own Podenco, a Maneto, was abandoned outside my kitchen door some five years ago, and was in a bad state that included a pellet wound from buckshot. They are used for hunting, hunting, hunting; with the larger ones doing house guarding duty. They are not pets as such, as they have to contribute to the life and income of the farm.

The local Podencos are off the breed Podenco Andaluz. They comes in three sizes and three different types of coats, with colours that range from white to deep red, and are highly prized as hunters, which is why I keep a close eye on him, and why he wears a tracker when we are out. We also have a second rescue Podenco that’s the next size up and to watch them “hunt” as a pair is a joy to watch. They yip and send each other signals as one flushes the rabbit out and the other chases them down. When he was younger he would often catch a few rabbits a week, but he’s too slow now and they haven’t caught anything so far this year.

He has a lot of stamina and can be out for hours on the lower slopes following his nose until he’s tired and hungry. Like other warren hounds, the Podenco has excellent sight, hearing and sense of smell. They are renowned for their methodical hunting style, as well as stamina and endurance while working in the mild winters and dry, hot, sunny summers of Andalusia. They are mainly lively affectionate dogs but know enough to sleep when they can. They are also wary of strangers and have their own unique “Stranger warning” barks and low growls.

The larger ones do love their freedom and their hunting and many have disappeared over the skyline in chase of game, never to be seen again. In the case of the “Maneto”, they have long bodies, short legs and big ears that eveyone mentions, and are just very solemn characters. To get my attention in the morning he will either “talk” or flap his head and his ears like a footbal rattle. Loud but much better than an alarm going off.

Ed.