The Portuguese Water Dog used to be used as part of a fishing boat crew, retrieving lost gear, and herding live fish.
Portuguese water dogs can be great if you are looking for a companion or if you just want to have fun! The main thing they love to do is play and they are super social. They also need a lot of attention and affection, which makes them perfect family dogs.
Portuguese Water Dog – Quick Facts
photo: doritheportie
| HEIGHT | 17 to 21 inches for female / 20 to 23 inches for male |
| WEIGHT | 35 to 50 pounds for female and 40 to 60 pounds for male |
| LIFE SPAN | 11 to 13 years |
| BREED SIZE | medium (26-60 lbs.) |
| GOOD WITH | children seniors dogs families |
| TEMPERAMENT | friendly , outgoing, playful |
| INTELLIGENCE | high |
| BREED GROUP | working |
| COAT LENGTH/TEXTURE | medium curly |
| COLORS | blackwhitebrown ,chocolate , liver |
| PATTERNS | bicolortricolorblack and tan |
Portuguese Water Dog History
A Portuguese Water Dog descends from dogs used by centuries-old Portuguese fishermen. They were bred to drive fish into nets, retrieve gear from the water, and swim messages to boats. It’s likely that he shares an ancestor with the Poodle, also a descendant of these early dogs.
The AKC recognizes 155 breeds and varieties, but the Portuguese Water Dog has ranked 69th most popular at the AKC for quite some time and was recognized in 1983.
Portuguese Water Dog Size
Male Portuguese Water Dogs stand 20-23 inches and weigh 42-60 pounds. Females stand 17-21 inches and weigh 35-50 pounds
Portuguese Water Dog Personality
photo: lucy_lou_pwd
The Portuguese Water Dog is a clever and delightful pet, who has loads of personality. He’s tireless, funny and he’s very smart! You’ll probably find yourself laughing a lot as you try to keep up with him!
Portuguese Water Dogs are known for their temperaments and it’s not difficult to understand why. Some of these dogs are strong-willed and some are laid back, but most Portuguese Water Dogs fall somewhere in between.
As with all breeds, Portuguese Water Dogs need plenty of exposure and early socialization to help prepare them for life. They will be small but lively puppies and should adapt well to your home environment once they have had some time to grow up.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Issues
The Portuguese Water Dog breed is a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they are prone to some health conditions. Following list are some health issues seen in this dog:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Storage Disease (GM1)
Care
Portuguese water dogs are people lovers who can make a good living in any living space. They’ll need to be kept in a fenced-in yard with lots of exercises, but they’re adaptable so long as you make sure they get plenty of love and attention.
This dog requires 30-60 minutes of play time every day – walks, jogs, & swimming are all great ideas. A calm companion indoors, he is a destructive menace outdoors. If you don’t give him at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, you may come home to find your items destroyed.
Teach your Portuguese Water Dog with positive reinforcement techniques like praise, play, and treats. There’s no need to tire him out or give him repetition or you could risk losing him.
This is a Portuguese Water Dog who learns quickly and enjoys mastering new skills. Training your dog for obedience, agility, tracking, or water work can be a great way to stimulate his mind and give him the activity he enjoys.
These dogs can be wonderful gifts and could really add something special to your life. Particularly for those looking for a companion, a therapy dog can do great things for them. And of course, the love and affection will be much appreciated! Any type of training will help you build a unique bond with your pet.
Still, like many dogs, your Portuguese Water Dog will need a little guidance as to what he should be chewing and what he shouldn’t. Provide him with plenty of chew toys while diffusing his energies through interactive play. You can rotate them regularly so he doesn’t get bored or teach him early when it’s okay to chew & when it isn’t.
Children And Pets Compatibilty
People who have raised their Portuguese Water Dogs with children can attest to the wonderful relationship they have with these animals. They are affectionate and playful, which is great for kids who need time to embrace life in a wholesome way before they get too busy.
For the safety of children and dogs, it’s important to teach kids how to approach animals so they don’t get hurt. And you should also closely supervise any interactions between dogs and children, as well as any contact certain species, have with each other in order to prevent any aggressive behavior.
Small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters can make Porties a little unpredictable with their behavior, so it’s important to keep an eye on your pet while you’re introducing them to those animals.
Coat Types
Porties have a profuse single-layered code that is either wavy or curly and waterproof. Curly-coated Porties have cylindrical curls that are compact and somewhat lusterless while the wavy coated ones have gently falling waves of hair with a slight sheen. The coat comes in shades of brown, tan, black, white, and silver-tipped with white being the rarest to find. some Portuguese water dogs have bi or even tri-colored coats with black and tan being the most common.
Grooming
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You can groom your Porties in one of two ways. The retriever cut or the lion cut. The retriever cut is where the coat is cut evenly down to about one inch in length over the entire body with the tail tip at full length. On the other hand, the lion cut is where the coat on the muzzle hindquarters and the base of the tail is cut down to the skin and since these dogs shed very little the coat is tangled is enough to keep your body clean and healthy.
Brush or comb your Portuguese water dog’s coat once a week to keep the coat tangle-free. Clip or trim the coat every month to keep it looking neat
With any dog who spends a lot of time on or near the water, it’s important to give a thorough fresh-water rinse after swimming. You could also wipe out and dry the ears after as well.
Nails should be trimmed once or twice a month. If they are too long, you can hear them click on the floor. Short nails keep the feet in good condition and protect from getting scratched when your Portie enthusiastically gets up to greet you.
The importance of good dental hygiene is something we’ve talked a lot about. Brushing your Portie’s teeth regularly can both keep the breath fresh and prevent serious buildup. The best thing to do is brush them daily!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Portuguese Water Dog?
The average cost of a Portuguese Water dog is around $1,500 – $2,500 depending on whether the breeder raises their puppies indoors or outside.
Do Portuguese water dogs bark a lot?
Portuguese water dogs are usually quiet, only barking when a perceived threat approaches their home or pack.
Is a Portuguese Water Dog a good pet?
Yes.Portugal Water Dogs are a good family pet. They do well with other pets and children, but you must train them and make time for playtime. All the energy these pups have will make it more difficult to keep up with their high needs for attention.
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