The Podenco Maneto is a Spanish hound, a rare breed derived from the (also rare) Andalusian Hound. They are not recognized by the FCI although they are recognized in their home country of Spain. One of the many breeds in the podenco family – these dogs are classified as sighthounds by some and by primitive hunting hounds by others. If one were to call them sighthounds, they would immediately note one huge difference between them and other breeds in that group – namely the short, somewhat stubby legs! This mutation doesn’t stop them from hunting various types of bird as well as rabbit, as they are unusually adapted to hunting small game in their particular terrain. In fact, their short legs allow them access through dense vegetation where other long-legged hounds are unable to pass! This breed is also skilled at retrieving ducks from the water.
Manetos have a loyal character and tend to stay close to their owners while hunting. These are pack hunting hounds which generally get along well with other dogs, assuming they were socialized as puppies (although they can be very territorial to strange dogs). Hunting isn’t their only talent, however. They easily transition to family life and can make gentle, affectionate companions in the home. While many are one-person dogs, they can be very cuddly and enjoy snuggling up to the people they love. This said, they are not overly clingy and will definitely wander away when they’ve had their fill of attention. With strangers, they may take a little while to warm up but can easily accept new friends with a bit of time. 
Podenco Manetos are always red and white in color, with a pink nose. Their head should be cone-shaped, with only moderate stop. They possess large, naturally upright ears which may look extra big when compared to their stubby, Dachshund-like legs. As might be assumed, they are not particularly fast although they are determined, strong workers. They are vastly smaller than almost all other podencos, although they are compact and muscular.
Manetos can be trained with plenty of positive reinforcement as they enjoy working as long as they see a benefit to it. Furthermore, they also possess a great memory. This intelligent breed needs to see understand “what’s in it for them” in order to work, however. Although they have balanced, even temperaments overall, they are independent-minded like most other sighthounds. Some can be overly-confident and try to see how far they can push their limits. Obedience training is definitely recommended to develop a healthy relationship with a Maneto.
