MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the American Portuguese Podengo Medio/Grande Club (APPMGC) (known here as the Club) is to encourage and provide education in the breeding of purebred Portuguese Podengo Medio/Grande’s of both coat varieties in accordance with the APPMGC breed standard and to represent the Portuguese Podengo Medio/Grande with the American Kennel Club as the Parent Breed Club.
The APPMGC will do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the Portuguese Podengo Medio/Grande and to encourage sportsman-like competition in dog events. The APPMGC will promote the qualities of the breed to its membership and the general public through communications, publications, educational seminars, and positive approaches.
The APPMGC is dedicated to the promotion, showing, breeding and advancement of the Portuguese Podengo Medio/Grande towards AKC recognition through special events, educational programs, as well as championing research to health related issues.
In recognition of the rarity and limited gene pool of the Podengo in many sizes but most particularly the Grande, the APPMGC, will continue to work with Portuguese Breeders and others committed to the recovery of these sizes in Portugal and in the United States to identify registered dogs, collect DNA and evaluate pedigrees to increase genetic diversity.
In addition the APPMGC supports the limited use of animals with RI designation as determined by the Club in the country of origin within a carefully controlled process to ensure the survival of the breed.
History
The first calling, via the early internet, for interested parties to join the Portuguese Podengo Medio Club of America went out in July 1995 with a Usenet thread in rec.pets.dogs.breeds.
In Summer 1996 it had a logo, a Portuguese Podengo Medio kennel list in Portugal, three willing Portuguese translators and a passionate (but not quite certain or rich) group of interested Americans.
Along with the internet's growth, came the information required for these folks to finally acquire imported Podengo Medios.
Most of these people would eventually form the base of another club, The Great Lakes Portuguese Podengo Club.
The GLPPC had its initial public representation in September 2005 at the Livonia MI Kennel Club dog show in Belleville MI at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. There they were given the opportunity to exhibit Podengos Pequeno and Medio in an AKC match in breed and then alongside other AKC breeds in the hound (match) group.
GLPPC started planning its first big public event in December 2005 which resulted in their first large-scale decorated informational bench showing in January 2006 at the UKC show in Novi MI.
There GLPPC presented the Podengos Pequeno and Medio to the public in a well-advertised and attended event that also attracted many judges and AKC exhibitors to meet these dogs in particular, despite the weather.
In March 2006 a GLPPC member produced the first Podengo Medio whelp in North America and throughout that year, GLPPC represented and networked its budding club with others.
The GLPPC incorporated as an official club of record in November 2006 and its first official meeting was shortly thereafter, around December 28 in Jackson, MI.
GLPPC, Inc had subsequent club meetings throughout 2006 in Clinton, MI, Marshall, MI and Grass Lake, MI. Business included fund raising, further networking with a Yahoo Group and building a proper website for the club.
GLPPC, Inc again hosted a breed informational booth at the January UKC show in 2007.
In early 2007 GLPPC, Inc held a well publicized judges educational seminar through the AKC Battle Creek Kennel Club in Battle Creek, MI.
In June 2007 UKC graciously brought in Portuguese judge and Portuguese Podengo Club of Portugal president Vitor Veiga to judge Podengos at the UKC Premier dog show for GLPPC, Inc's first Breed Club Specialty, complete with trophies made by a pottery artisan and club member.
GLPPC, Inc hosted an extensive breed educational booth, club dinner at a local restaurant, food tent and very successful raffle tent.
For the remainder of 2007 GLPPC, Inc members continued to represent the club and the Podengos Pequeno and Medio in AKC matches (Battle Creek Kennel Club, Marshall MI in July and Livonia Kennel Club, Chelsea, MI in September), giving out its own informational flyers designed by a professional graphic artist and club member.
In March 2008 GLPPC, Inc was proud to be invited to represent Podengos Pequeno and Medio at the extremely well attended and prestigious Detroit Kennel Club Benched show in Detroit MI with our extensive breed educational booth, the dogs and a breed educational seminar.
In early 2008 GLPPC, Inc agreed to be enveloped into the new American Portuguese Podengo Medio/Grande Club and American Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Club.
