I’ve written before about the Podencos being known as ‘The Invisibles’. They also used to be called ‘The Great Forgotten’. Neither title is now true, as they are no longer invisible and are getting a name for themselves both as loving loyal pets and as agility dogs and there is a huge increase in the number of associations rescuing and rehoming them.

One could call black galgos ‘The Invisibles’ as they are the last ones to get adopted; many of them roam the campo starving and injured, dumped in perreras, languishing for years in shelters and kennels, overlooked for the more ‘colourful’ hounds. Yet with good food and exercise there is nothing more stunning than the shiny black coat of a black galgo…white, brindle…they can’t compare!

Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends says…’Whilst I am all for promoting the positive side of rescue… we need to have a reason to believe. The harsh reality is we are just a small solution to a much bigger problem, the Podencos are given the label “LOS INVISBLES” for good reason. Many languish in Shelters, forgotten, overlooked – some for many years (those are the lucky ones), others abandoned roaming the streets or the campo trying to survive. My dream is one day Spain will recognise the Podencos has part of the Spanish Heritage. Can they not see what a National Treasure they have here?’