![]() ![]() Taking them to the dog park, on the boat, to the river, to the playground, and even just for car rides all seem to be winners. They love to swim and have a great time retrieving sticks or balls, especially from water. Training time will be a fun and bonding experience.Īctivity: This breed needs and loves daily mental and physical stimulation. Portuguese Water Dogs are quick to understand instructions. Training: The Portuguese Water Dog’s intelligence and fondness for hard work makes training a fairly simple matter. Be sure to keep them up to date with their vet visits. They are susceptible to hip dysplasia (malformed hip joint which can cause lameness or arthritis), and eye problems such as cataracts and PRA. Portuguese Water Dogs have a lifespan ranging from 10-14 years. If you keep their hair short though, grooming is very minimal. ![]() You can see our dog's health tests on our "About Us" by clicking on each dog's individual OFA profile link.Ĭare: If you keep their hair long, they need grooming with a brush and comb every few days and trimming every few months. We do our best to ensure our puppies are very healthy, which is why we test for all of the recommended evaluations. Thankfully, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) has put together a list of tests that this breed should be tested for before breeding to help the quality of life for their offspring. Health: Just like every purebred and mixed breeds, the PWDs are prone to a certain set of health problems. They have a tendency to snoop around on counters and in prohibited areas, so watch for that. Some Portuguese Water Dogs may chew, so bones, raw hides, and chew toys are definitely recommended. Temperament: The Portuguese Water Dog enjoys the companionship of dogs, pets and children. They love to have fun, but it’s important to note that leaving them alone in the backyard for an extended amount of time isn’t enjoyable for most. They are highly attached to their owners, and desire to be with him/her always. All that to say, they are a good fit for those with allergies.Ĭharacter: The Portuguese Water Dog is obedient, sociable, high-spirited, and friendly. Interestingly enough, I find more of my hair around then their own. The Portuguese Water Dog does not shed, but their hair falls out in a fashion similar to human hair. Dark colored Portuguese Water Dogs have an interesting blue-tinted skin light colored Portuguese Water Dogs have pink skin which is more susceptible to sunburns. The most common colors are black, brown, white, black and white, white and black, or brown and white. They have feathered tails which curl vertically toward the back and webbed feet which are useful for swimming.Ĭoat: The Portuguese Water Dog has a curly coat of dense, cylindrical curls, or a gentle, wavy coat with a minor sheen. Portuguese Water Dogs have large heads with pronounced stop (depression where the muzzle meets the forehead), small eyes, and heart-shaped ears. Size: The Portuguese Water Dog has an average shoulder height of 17-22 inches and weighs about 35-60 lbs. The Portuguese Water Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1984. Bensuade became captivated by the breed after witnessing a Portuguese Water Dog named Leao dive through icy waters on command. Vasco Bensuade helped to standardize and promote it. ![]() The Portuguese Water Dog breed declined in numbers as fishing methods modernized, but in the 1930’s wealthy shipping magnate Dr. They were adapted for all manners of water activities, such as herding fish into nets, retrieving lost fishing equipment, and delivering messages to ship or to shore. They descend from Asian herding breeds brought to Portugal. They even guarded the boat against seals who were trying to steal fish from the boats – cool!Ĭountry of Origin: The Portuguese Water Dog ( ‘Cao de Agua Portuguese’, ‘Portie’, ‘PWD’) shares its early ancestry with the Poodle. Some of the tasks assigned to the PWD included taking out fishing nets, carrying messages between boats, herding fish, moving buoys in the water, and more. As you may guess, they are very strong swimmers, with a strong work drive. Originally, this breed was bred to work on the fishing boats in Portugal. Though Portuguese Water Dogs look like cute balls of fluff, they truly are working dogs.
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