The catalytic pattern of several oxide carriers (MgO, Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, SiO2, HY zeolite) and supported V2O5 (4.7-5.3 wt%) catalysts in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene (PODH) has been comparatively investigated. The fundamental role of the oxide support on both reducibility and reactivity of vanadia catalysts has been assessed. A direct relationship between the specific surface activity of oxide carriers and that of vanadia catalysts is discussed. The inverse relationship between the specific activity and the onset temperature of reduction marks the prevailing redox behaviour of V2O5 catalysts in the PODH reaction.