Everything You Need to Know About the Podenco Maneto

The Podenco Maneto is a rare and ancient breed of dog originating from the Iberian Peninsula. They are a type of Podenco, a group of sighthounds that have been used for hunting and companionship for centuries.

Their origins date back to the Roman Empire, where they were used for hunting small game. This rich history has shaped the breed's unique characteristics and temperament.

The Podenco Maneto is a medium-sized dog with a muscular build, typically weighing between 25-40 pounds. They have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.

The podenco maneto is a small-sized dog originating from the Andalusian provinces of Cádiz and Málaga.

It descends directly from the podenco andaluz de talla mediana, with the main difference being the length of its extremities, as the maneto suffers from acondroplasia, a type of enanismo that affects the size of its pats.

This mutation is believed to have appeared in the 20th century, making the maneto a significantly more modern breed than its ancestor.

The maneto's robust body and short legs make it an agile hunter in dense vegetation areas inaccessible to larger dogs.

In fact, its unique characteristics made it a desirable breed among hunters, who prized its ability to navigate through dense undergrowth.

The Real Sociedad Canina de España (RSCE) eventually recognized the maneto as a distinct breed and established its official standard.

The podenco's history dates back to ancient times, with similar-looking dogs appearing in the tombs of ancient Egyptians, including Tutankhamun.

These dogs were likely introduced by Phoenician merchants, who brought them over the Mediterranean Sea as far back as the eighth century B.C.

The podenco began to flourish as a rural hunting dog across Spain, with different types developing in various regions, adapting to their specific hunting terrain.

The Podenco Maneto is a sturdy and robust dog with a long, lean body and short legs, reaching a height of 30-36 centimeters at the withers. Its prominent chest and short legs make it look quite unique.

This breed is highly energetic, with a strong sense of agility and speed, making it perfect for hunting small game. Its large, triangular ears and long, curved tail are characteristic of the Podenco Maneto.

The Podenco Maneto typically weighs between 8-11 kilograms, classifying it as a small breed dog.

The Podenco Andaluz Maneto is a breed that's full of surprises. They're a small dog with a big personality, weighing between 8 and 11 kilograms.

Their robust and longilíneo (alargado) body is made for agility and speed, allowing them to excel in activities like caza menor (small game hunting). Despite their short legs, they're incredibly durable and can handle long days of tracking and chasing.

Their ears are triangular with a rounded tip, and their tail is long and curved, often reaching the ground when they're at rest. Their eyes are oval-shaped and medium-sized, with a warm, honey-like color.

One of the most distinctive features of the Podenco Maneto is their highly developed sense of smell, which they use to track down prey. Their trufa (nose) is a deep honey or pink color, and it's incredibly sensitive.

In terms of exercise needs, the Podenco Maneto requires a lot of physical activity to keep them happy and healthy. They need regular walks, runs, and playtime to burn off their excess energy.

Here's a summary of their exercise needs and other characteristics:

Overall, the Podenco Andaluz Maneto is a unique and fascinating breed that's full of character and charm.

Exercise is essential for your podenco, requiring at least one to two hours of daily activity, including walks and interactive playtime.

The podenco's athleticism makes it well-suited for dog sports like agility, where it can showcase its speed and agility, or canicross, a fun and competitive running activity with your dog by your side.

The Podenco Maneto is a medium-sized dog with a muscular build, weighing between 25-40 kg.

They typically stand between 50-60 cm tall at the shoulder and have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.

Their eyes are usually dark brown and almond-shaped, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Their ears are triangular and erect, always perked up and alert.

Their tail is long and curved, often carried high with a slight curl at the end.

Their paws are oval-shaped and have five toes, with the dewclaw removed to prevent injury.

The podenco maneto requires a high-quality diet to preserve its health and vitality. This means providing a premium dog food, or a homemade diet like BARF, and possibly some supplements to ensure its bone health, always under the guidance of a veterinarian.

To avoid obesity, which can be particularly hazardous for dogs with acondroplasia, it's essential to monitor the amount of food your podenco eats daily.

A weekly brushing is sufficient for maintaining the coat's health, especially during shedding season, and a bath every two or three months using a dog-specific shampoo is recommended.

Regular exercise is crucial, and taking your podenco for two or three walks a day, even if it lives in a house with a yard, is a must.

Providing mental stimulation is also vital to prevent boredom and behavioral problems, and you can do this by offering interactive toys, hiding food in the yard or on a mat to engage its sense of smell.

The podenco maneto is a healthy breed with an average lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Feeding your podenco a high-quality and appropriately portion-controlled diet is essential for its overall health.

Their special morphology requires extra attention to preserve their bone and joint health, so it's crucial to follow the veterinarian's recommendations.

A balanced diet will help prevent health issues, but it's also essential to prevent diseases transmitted by external parasites like fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes, such as Leishmaniosis.

This parasitic disease is endemic in Spain and can be contracted through the bite of a mosquito, specifically the flebotomo, which is common in warm and humid areas.

To prevent these diseases, regular desparasitization, both internal and external, is necessary, and for Leishmaniosis, annual vaccination is required.

It's also vital to follow the veterinarian's vaccination schedule and perform at least one annual complete check-up, especially for senior dogs over seven years old, to detect any health issues early on.

Feeding your podenco from interactive treat toys and slow feeders can help prevent scavenging and associated tummy upsets, especially if they've had to fight for food in the past.

If you're considering bringing a podenco maneto into your life, you'll want to think carefully about where to adopt or buy one. The podenco maneto is a lesser-known breed in the US, but it's highly valued in Andalucía, particularly in Cádiz and Málaga.

In Spain, it's not uncommon for people to abandon podencos after the hunting season ends. This is why it's essential to consider adoption from reputable organizations, such as ExpertoAnimal or associations that specialize in rescuing abandoned hunting dogs.

If you do decide to work with a breeder, make sure to research them thoroughly and ensure they allow you to visit the puppies in a home environment. They should not be separated from their mother before they are fully weaned and should be at least eight weeks old before coming home.

The cost of a podenco puppy from a reputable breeder can range from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the type of podenco.

Here are some organizations you can contact to inquire about adopting a podenco:

You can also consider contacting rescue organizations that specialize in bringing podencos from Spain to the US, such as Hope for Podencos or SOS Podenco Rescue.

The Podenco Maneto is a multi-sensory specialised hunter, bred to track and catch small game. Its prey drive is strong, making it a great asset for hunting, but also a challenge for potential adopters.

Its large, highly-mobile pricked ears allow it to pinpoint sounds from far away. Its keen eyesight and acute sense of smell make it a formidable hunter.

The Podenco Maneto's speed and agility are unmatched, allowing it to climb trees in pursuit of prey and jump great heights from a stand. It requires a secure garden with a 6' fence to prevent escape.

Despite its small size, the Podenco Maneto is a powerful hunter, weighing between 8 and 11 kilos. Its robust build and long, curved tail make it a unique and impressive breed.