Portuguese Water Dog Breed Info
The Portuguese Water Dog is a charming and active breed known for their intelligence, athleticism, and affectionate nature. Originally bred as working dogs for Portuguese fishermen, they're now popular as family pets due to their friendly personality and hypoallergenic coat.
As their name suggests, Portuguese Water Dogs love to swim and are excellent swimmers. Their webbed paws and waterproof coat allow them to swim long distances and retrieve objects from the water with ease. This breed is also known for their intelligence and eagerness to please, making them easy to train and great for families with children.
Portuguese Water Dogs are medium-sized dogs, with a distinctive curly or wavy coat that is either black, brown, white, or a combination of these colors. Their hypoallergenic coat sheds very little, making them a popular choice for people with allergies.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Sweet, Loyal, Joyful, Outgoing
ADULT WEIGHT
30-60 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
15-20 in
LIFE SPAN
12-14 yrs
Characteristics
- The Portuguese Water Dog is a hypoallergenic breed, making them a great choice for people with allergies
- This breed is known for their intelligence, and they excel in obedience and agility training
- Portuguese Water Dogs are an active and energetic breed that loves to play and exercise
- These dogs have a friendly and affectionate nature, making them great companions for families
- Originally bred as working dogs for fishermen, Portuguese Water Dogs love to please their owners
- They are attentive to their surroundings and make excellent watchdogs
- Portuguese Water Dogs are obedient and responsive to their owners, making them easy to train
- They have a quick and curious mind and are known for their problem-solving abilities
Appearance
The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 30 to 60 pounds and standing 15 to 20 or 23 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a distinctive coat that is curly or wavy and hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for people with allergies.
Their coat comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, and combinations of these colors. The coat can be kept in various styles, including a lion cut, which is shorter on the hindquarters and longer on the forequarters, or a retriever cut, which is an all-over shorter cut. The coat requires regular grooming, including brushing to prevent matting and trimming to maintain the desired length.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a square head with a broad skull and a long, strong muzzle. They have dark, expressive eyes and pendant ears that hang close to the head. Their body is muscular and well-proportioned, with a broad chest and a strong, level back. They have a thick, powerful tail that is carried high and curled over the back when the dog is alert.
Temperament
The Portuguese Water Dog is known for their playful and energetic temperament, making them a great family dog. They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train and highly responsive to positive reinforcement. This breed is also very affectionate and loves spending time with their family, making them great companions for children.
They have a strong work ethic and enjoy having a job to do, which is a trait that was developed through their history as a working dog. This breed thrives with regular exercise and enjoys activities like swimming, running, and playing fetch. They are highly adaptable and can live in a variety of environments, as long as they receive plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
Portuguese Water Dogs are known for their loyalty and devotion to their family. They are protective of their loved ones and make great watchdogs. Despite their protective nature, they are also friendly and outgoing, making them great with strangers and other dogs. This breed is often described as one of the sweetest and most affectionate dog breeds around.
Care
Grooming
The Portuguese Water Dog has a thick, curly or wavy coat that requires regular grooming to maintain its health and appearance. They are a hypoallergenic breed, meaning that they shed very little, making them a great choice for people with allergies.
To keep their coat healthy and free of mats and tangles, it is important to brush them at least once a week. Many owners choose to have their Portuguese Water Dog professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks to keep their coat in tip-top shape. Trimming the coat to a shorter length can also make it easier to manage.
In addition to regular brushing and grooming, Portuguese Water Dogs require occasional baths to keep their coat clean and fresh-smelling. It is important to use a mild, dog-friendly shampoo to avoid irritating their skin. It is also important to keep their ears clean and dry to avoid infections.
Like all dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs need their nails trimmed regularly to prevent them from becoming too long and causing discomfort. It is recommended to trim their nails every 3-4 weeks or as needed. It is also important to regularly brush their teeth to maintain their oral health and prevent dental problems.
Exercise Needs
The Portuguese Water Dog is an energetic and active breed that requires daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. They are natural swimmers and love to be in the water, so swimming is a great form of exercise for them. They are also known for their love of playing fetch and other games.
Daily walks are also important for the Portuguese Water Dog to burn off excess energy and keep them mentally stimulated. They are a high-energy breed that can become restless and destructive if not given enough exercise and mental stimulation.
In addition to swimming and daily walks, the Portuguese Water Dog enjoys other forms of exercise, such as running, hiking, and agility training. They are intelligent and enjoy learning new skills and tricks, making them great candidates for obedience and agility training.
It is important to note that the Portuguese Water Dogs exercise needs can vary depending on their age, health, and activity level. As with any breed, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount and type of exercise for your individual dog.
Health
The Portuguese Water Dog is a hardy breed that is not typically prone to many serious health issues. However, like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health conditions.
One of the most important factors in the health of a Portuguese Water Dog is maintaining a healthy weight. They are a medium-sized breed that typically weighs between 30 and 60 pounds. Obesity can be a problem for this breed if they are overfed or not given enough exercise. Obesity can lead to a variety of health issues, including joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease.
Hip dysplasia is another health concern that can affect the Portuguese Water Dog. This is a genetic condition in which the hip joint does not develop properly, leading to arthritis and lameness. Responsible breeders will screen their breeding dogs for hip dysplasia to reduce the incidence of this condition.
Portuguese Water Dogs can also be prone to certain eye conditions, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). It is important to have your dog's eyes checked regularly by a veterinarian to detect any potential problems early on.
Lifespan
The Portuguese Water Dog is a relatively long-lived breed, with a lifespan of around 12 to 14 years. This is a healthy breed that can live a long, happy life with proper care and attention.
To ensure that your Portuguese Water Dog lives as long and healthy a life as possible, it is important to provide them with a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care.
Training
Portuguese Water Dogs are highly trainable, intelligent, and eager to please their owners. They thrive on positive reinforcement and gentle guidance, making them an ideal breed for training. With their natural athletic ability and love for the water, they excel in obedience, agility, and other dog sports.
Early socialization and training are crucial for this breed, as they tend to be sensitive to new people and situations. Proper training can help prevent unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking or destructive chewing. Consistency and patience are key when training a Portuguese Water Dog, as they respond best to clear and positive communication from their owners.
One important aspect of training a Portuguese Water Dog is teaching them how to properly interact with children. They have a gentle nature and playful disposition, making them a great family pet. However, they can also be very energetic and boisterous, which can be overwhelming for young children. Consistent training and supervision can ensure a safe and happy relationship between a Portuguese Water Dog and small children.
History
The Portuguese Water Dog, also known as the Cão de Água Português, is a breed that can trace its origins back several centuries. These dogs were originally bred by Portuguese fishermen to assist with their work at sea. Their tasks included herding fish into nets, retrieving lost gear, and carrying messages between boats. The dogs were also trained to act as lifeguards, diving into the water to rescue people who had fallen overboard.
The breed's water-resistant coat, webbed feet, and natural swimming abilities made them ideal for this type of work. Over time, the breed developed a reputation as a reliable and hardworking companion for fishermen.
Despite their usefulness, the Portuguese Water Dog nearly went extinct in the mid-20th century. As fishing practices changed, the need for working dogs declined, and the breeds population dwindled. In the 1930s, a wealthy Portuguese shipping magnate named Vasco Bensaude began a breeding program to save the breed from extinction. He sought out the remaining dogs, which were often found in remote fishing villages, and used them to create a breeding pool. The program was successful in preserving the breed, and by the 1950s, the Portuguese Water Dog had regained its popularity in Portugal.
Today, the Portuguese Water Dog is a beloved breed around the world, known for their hypoallergenic coat, intelligence, and affectionate nature. In 2009, the breed became especially well-known when President Barack Obama and his family adopted a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo. The breed has also gained attention for their success in dog shows and obedience competitions.