Podenco Canario
| Podenco Canario | ||
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| FCI Standard No. 329 | ||
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| Origin : | ||
| Alternative names: |
Canarian podenco |
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| Withers height: |
Males: 55–64 cm. |
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| Weight: |
not fixed |
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| List of domestic dogs | ||
The Podenco Canario is a Spanish dog breed recognized by the FCI ( No. 329, Gr. 5, Sec. 7 ) , which is native to the Canary Islands , which belong to Spain . She belongs to the Podencos family .
Origin and history
The Podenco Canario belongs to the group of greyhound-like, Mediterranean hunting dogs that can also be found in the Mediterranean region . Similar races are u. a. the Pharaoh Hound (Kelb tal-Fenek) from Malta , the Cirneco dell 'Etna from Sicily and the various Podencos and Podengos from the Iberian Peninsula . There are some ambiguities about the origin: The breed standard adopted in 1987 states that the Podenco Canario is a 7000 year old breed of ancient Egyptian origin. This would mean that it probably goes back to the extinct ancient Egyptian Tesem . More precise evidence for this claim is not given, but only general reference is made to the similarity of the Podenco Canario with ancient Egyptian representations and the Phoenicians , the Greeks , the Carthaginians and also the Egyptians themselves are held responsible for its importation to the Canary Islands .
However, the isolated location of his homeland, the Canary Islands , which lie outside the Mediterranean in the Atlantic Ocean off the Moroccan coast, speaks against this . The native inhabitants of the Canary Islands, the old Canary Islands, whose language and culture was almost completely wiped out after the Spanish conquered the Canaries in the 15th century, were probably relatives of today's Berbers . In antiquity there were actually isolated contacts between the Guanches and the Phoenicians and later with the Romans , who also gave the Canary Islands their name: The name "Islas Canarias" means something like "dog islands", a term that comes from the Roman author Pliny the Elder should go back. However, it is not known what kind of dogs the Guanches kept, and the contacts of the ancient world with the Guanches are not likely to have been very intense either, because the islands had largely been forgotten until the first Spaniards landed on Lanzarote in 1402 . It is therefore just as conceivable that the Podenco Canario goes back to the pariah dogs , which are widespread in large parts of Africa and which may have been crossed from the Iberian Peninsula or the Balearic Islands after the Spanish conquest of Podenco .
description
The Podenco Canario is an elegant dog of medium size (up to 64 cm), of an elongated build, slim, lightly built and extremely robust. The conspicuously large erect ears are typical of the podenco. The skeleton is well developed. The absence of any subcutaneous fat makes it possible to recognize the relief of the rib cage , the spine and the hip bones. The muscles are highly developed, dry. The muscle contractions are visible through the skin. The fur is smooth, short and dense in red, white with red, the red in all colors. Podenco owners are always enthusiastic about the elegant, sweeping trot, which gives the impression that the dog is floating.
use
In the country of origin, the Podenco Canario is used to hunt rabbits. It is only bred for this. The Podenco Canario is very powerful and extremely sure-footed. These characteristics enable him to hunt in the rugged, volcanic terrain of his home islands. Packs of up to twelve dogs are used here. The dogs initially browse the area extensively, mainly following their sense of smell and hearing. When they find a rabbit that is hidden, the hunters use a ferret to drive the rabbit out of its hiding place. The fleeing rabbit is then either caught by the dogs or shot by the hunters, with rifle hunting permitted only during a limited time in late summer.
Like all Podencos, the Podenco Canario is not only a sight hunter, but it also hunts by ear or nose. He also knows how to combine these three possibilities perfectly.
Use outside of Spain
In Central Europe it is difficult to keep it species-appropriate. Hunting is only reserved for local hunters whose hunting rules are different from those in the Canary Islands. A couple of Podencos Canarios find an approximate replacement in Germany on the dog racing track or in coursing , where they can act out their chase instinct in a controlled manner.
Although the Podenco Canario has a very large population in the Canary Islands, it was little known outside of its area of origin until recently. One of the reasons for this is that it is bred almost exclusively by hunters in its homeland who do not register their dogs with the Spanish breeding association RSCE. There is currently no breeding outside of Spain. Only in the last few years was a larger number of Podencos Canarios brought to the German-speaking countries by animal welfare organizations active in the Canary Islands. In Germany to this day (2007) one can find almost exclusively breed representatives who come from animal welfare.
Some of these dogs are registered with the DWZRV (German Greyhound Breeding and Racing Association) responsible for this breed. These can be found occasionally on the racetrack, while coursing or at breeding shows.
Remarks
The Podenco Canario is a challenge for every owner, as its nature cannot be compared with any other Central European dog breed. In the house he is a more balanced and cuddly guy. But when it goes outside, he shows all his temperament and passion for hunting. So if you are looking for a quiet family companion dog, this dog is rather out of place. The training of a Podenco Canario requires an angelic patience and a resilient nervous system over a long period of time. Dog schools that really know their way around these dogs are also rather rare.
