Portuguese Water Dog: temperament, size, care and health

About the Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized, strongly built dog with a broad head, a deep chest and webbed feet that help it swim. Adults stand about 17 to 23 inches tall. There are two coat types, curly and wavy, in black, brown, white or a mix, and the breed is often shown with a traditional lion clip, with the hindquarters and muzzle shaved, though a simple all-over trim is common for pets.

Fishermen on the Portuguese coast used these dogs to herd fish into nets, retrieve gear and carry messages between boats. Today they are kept as energetic companions, and many owners enjoy water retrieving, agility and dock diving with them.

Temperament and family life

The breed is typically clever, lively and close to its family. It likes to stay near its people and join every activity, and it can be a shadow in the kitchen. Many are reserved with strangers at first, but not aggressive, and they usually bark to announce visitors.

With children it is often a fun playmate, although its exuberance can be too much for toddlers. Most get along with other dogs, and a chase instinct can lead them to pursue small animals. A bored or lonely Portuguese Water Dog may dig, chew or invent games, and it can be mouthy as a puppy, carrying and nipping at hands and sleeves.

Exercise and training

This is a working breed with plenty of stamina, so plan for an hour or more of vigorous daily activity. Swimming is ideal if there is safe water nearby, along with long walks, running, fetch and canine sports. Mental tasks matter as much as exercise, and puzzle toys, scent games and trick training help occupy it.

The breed learns quickly and loves to work with its person, so training usually goes well when it is consistent and positive. It may become willful in adolescence and can be sensitive to harsh handling. Early socialization helps prevent shyness, and basic training should begin in puppyhood to manage its strong exuberance.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is its signature feature, and it sheds very little, which is why some allergy sufferers consider the breed. Low shedding does not mean no work. The hair grows continuously and mats if neglected, so brushing several times a week and a trim or professional groom every six to eight weeks are needed. Many owners choose a short all-over clip to simplify care.

Bathe as needed, rinse well after swimming in salt or chlorinated water, and dry the ears, which can trap moisture and develop infections. Trim the nails and the hair between the toes. A dog with a clipped coat needs sunscreen consideration on exposed skin and a warm coat in cold weather.

Health

Responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy, and DNA tests are available for several inherited conditions, including GM1 storage disease and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. The breed is also known for Addison's disease, an adrenal gland disorder, as well as some skin and ear problems. The gene pool is limited, so asking a breeder about inbreeding coefficients and health testing is wise. Questions about any given dog belong with a veterinarian, as this is only general information.

History

The breed is generally traced to working dogs along the coast of Portugal, where it helped fishermen by herding fish into nets, retrieving gear and carrying messages between boats. As fishing methods modernized, the breed was on the verge of extinction in the 1930s, and a Portuguese businessman, Vasco Bensaude, is credited with seeking out fishermen's dogs to re-establish it. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America formed in 1972, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1983.

Is the Portuguese Water Dog right for you?

The breed suits an active household that enjoys water, training and games, and that accepts regular grooming costs. It is a poor match for those who are away all day, who want a calm lap dog or who dislike mouthy, boisterous puppies. People who like the curly coat and want a well-known relative might look at the Poodle, the Lagotto Romagnolo, a truffle-hunting curly dog, or the Spanish Water Dog, a herding cousin.