Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Working

Weight:

40-60 lbs

Height:

20-23 inches

Color(s):

For the most part, Portuguese Water Dogs are either totally black, black and white, or brown.

Coat:

Their coats are made up of wavy or curly hair and they do not shed.

Overview

Character:

Portuguese Water Dogs are active, athletic dogs that enjoy many sports. As with most working dogs, they are loyal to their owners and are content by their side. It thrives with human interaction and prefers to be involved in some kind of activity. It is not advisable to leave them alone for long periods of time. They have a strong retrieving instinct, which is common among water dogs.

Country of Origin:

Portugal

History:

They first appeared in Portugal in 1500s where they were used by fishermen to communicate messages between fishing boats, herd fish into nets, and to retrieve fish and other objects from the water. They were also excellent guard dogs and were often utilized to guard the fishing boats.

By the 1970s, the Portuguese Water Dog was not very popular and their numbers dwindled to as few as 25 in the world. This near extinction of the breed has encouraged breeders to carefully restore their numbers.

Name:

As they are from Portugal and were used as water dogs, they got the name Portuguese Water Dog.

Temperament:

They are athletic and energetic and if properly exercised will be even-tempered, dependable, and loyal. Without enough activity they become destructive and mischievous.

Care

Training:

Positive training methods, such as clicker training, are the most effective with Portuguese Water Dogs. They are highly trainable as they are keen to work and learn quickly. They are sensitive to tone of voice so changing your tone can be very effective during training. Since they are so intelligent, a consistent training routine will work best. They may be keen to test your patience or challenge you but with persistence they will train quickly.

Activity:

Portuguese Water Dogs are very energetic and need a lot of exercise. They love to swim, as they are water dogs, so ideally walks should be taken near water. As they have a very strong retrieving instinct, the love to pay fetch and can be quite relentless in this activity.

Ownership:

Because they have demanding exercise requirements, owning a Portuguese Water Dog is not suitable for everyone. Firstly, they should have access to a yard. They also require a lot of attention and if left alone they will misbehave.

Breeders

List of dog breeds