Xarnego Valenciano

The Xarnego Valenciano is the rabbit hound of the Valencian country — a podenco-type dog worked by sight, scent and hearing together.

History

It belongs to the Iberian podenco family and has hunted rabbit across the Valencian huerta and scrubland for centuries, kept by hunters rather than by a registry until Valencian and Spanish recognition arrived recently. It is worked in small groups, often at night, and it is bred for the job.

Temperament

The breed is known for being agile, alert and independent, affectionate with its household and reserved with strangers, with a real and undiminished prey drive.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and very secure fencing — podencos jump and climb better than owners expect. Training works best short and interesting. Coat care is minimal.

Health

Generally robust; nothing is widely documented as specific to the breed. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.