Is Gobi the marathon dog partly Podengo Pequeno?

21st Century Fox is to make a film of Gobi`s exploits in the Gobi Desert 7-day 155 mile marathon, in which competitors have to carry a week`s food.  It is casting around for an Australian actor to take the part of Dion the marathon runner., who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. The producer will also be looking for up to 20 dogs to share the part of Gobi.  My guess is that he will be looking for trained Podengo Pequenos.

To my eyes Gobi looks a bit like Mokey, the pedigree Pequeno in the post "a picture is worth 1,000 words."  Her face is different, with possible traces of Pekinese or other Chinese small dogs.  But she has the apron strings and pale feet that seem to be two of the marks of a Podengo. Her ability as an endurance trotter, to out-run the human athletes, points to some Podengo strain in her make-up.

So hopeful owners with obedient Pequenos (yes I know that must be rare)  should contact the Hollywood studio.

Dion is an Australian living in Scotland. His hobby is running marathons. He runs some of the world`s toughest including one through the Tien Shan mountains and the Gobi desert.  Runners have to carry all their food for a week and a pup tent and bedding to sleep in.

At the start, there was a semi-wild dog.  For a couple of days it ran alongside some American runners. Then it came to sleep in Doin`s tent. The runners shared their rations and the organisers provided water.  At one point, the runners had to ford a river. The dog now named Gobi stood whimpering on the bank. So Dion went back to collect her.

Dion won a stage, of the marathon, which was repeated every day and Gobi was awarded second prize.  Some times she would trot out ahead of him for 50 to 100 yards and wait for him to catch up. By the end of the week he and his wife had decided to adopt her.  

She was left in Urumchi to complete Europe`s rabies tests and became lost.  He went back and had hundreds of leaflets circulated in Urumchi a city of 3 million.  At last she was found and was overjoyed at the reunion. She is now in Edinburgh and there are plans for a Hollywood film.  The producers will need 20 small furry dogs to play her part.

Gobi has long matted hair and a long body. She has a furry curled up tail. She has pointed upright ears.  She is an endurance trotter par excellence. She is loyal and affectionate. These are all characteristics of the Podengo Pequeno and not widely found in small dogs.  

Could she be part podengo. Judge for yourself on this link. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3703824/story-of-adorable-dog-who-was-rescued-by-ultra-runner-in-the-desert-and-brought-home-to-britain-will-be-made-into-hollywood-movie/