Valdueza

The Valdueza is a Spanish pack hound made in the twentieth century for mountain hunting, and one of Spain's most recently recognised breeds.

History

Breeding began in the 1940s under the Marquess of Valdueza and was continued by his son, crossing large rough-haired Podenco Andaluz with light Mastín Extremeño and later adding Griffon Vendéen, to get a pack hound that could work the Montes de Toledo, the sierras of Extremadura and the Sierra Morena. The Spanish agriculture ministry added it to the list of native Spanish breeds in 2020; the FCI has not recognised it.

Temperament

The breed is known for being intelligent and trainable for a pack hound, tenacious on a track, and equipped with a deep voice that carries across a valley.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and secure ground, and it was bred to work in company rather than alone. The rough coat needs brushing and little else.

Health

A young breed from a documented cross, generally robust; nothing is widely documented as breed-specific. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.