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The vocal range of Podengos is quite remarkable. Perhaps not quite as talented as their close relative the New Guinea Singing Dog, which you can see in San Diego zoo, (via google) they still excel beyond other dogs. We have been away on a long trip to Cape Town, returning via the Portuguese and Spanish islands of Sao Vicente, Madeira and Teneriffe. Each of the harbors on these islands has small populations of podengos or podencos whose ancestors were brought there by Iberian seafarers.
We saw only one, however - a Podenco in La Laguna, a lovely, old Spanish town on the hill above Santa Cruz on Teneriffe. When we approached, the owner was very protective. Spaniards do not approach other people`s dogs or encourage their dogs to socialise with other dogs. The Podenco Medio, much larger and more robust than Maria, nevertheless smelt her on our clothes and was soon licking us.
When we returned home Maria was overjoyed. After the inevitable dashes between us jumping up each one, she started to hum. This is in no way a bark, nor is it her hunting yelp or her singing to Wagner. It is a quiet closed mouth sound that can best be described as a hum. We believe it signifies happiness.
We saw only one, however - a Podenco in La Laguna, a lovely, old Spanish town on the hill above Santa Cruz on Teneriffe. When we approached, the owner was very protective. Spaniards do not approach other people`s dogs or encourage their dogs to socialise with other dogs. The Podenco Medio, much larger and more robust than Maria, nevertheless smelt her on our clothes and was soon licking us.
When we returned home Maria was overjoyed. After the inevitable dashes between us jumping up each one, she started to hum. This is in no way a bark, nor is it her hunting yelp or her singing to Wagner. It is a quiet closed mouth sound that can best be described as a hum. We believe it signifies happiness.
