<C>Height:</C> 20 to 23 inches (male); 17 to 21 inches (female).
<C>Weight:</C> 42 to 60 pounds (male); 35 to 50 (female).
<C>Size:</C> Medium.
<C>Availability:</C> Difficult to find.
<b>History:</> Developed from working dogs brought by invaders and settlers to the Iberian Peninsula, the Portuguese Water Dog has aided Portuguese fishermen for many centuries. He herded and caught fish, carried messages between ships, retrieved anything that fell overboard, and guarded the catch and boats when in port. The dogs were valuable enough to be considered part of the crew and were given their share of both the fish and the money earned for the catch. Retired fishermen would often rent out their dogs to bring in some extra money. Gradually technology replaced the Portuguese Water Dog. Radios sent messages. Winches pulled in the nets. By the 1930's, the breed was almost gone. Luckily, a wealthy shipping tycoon, Vasco Bensaude, took an interest in the Portuguese Water Dog and set out to gather fine specimens and start a breeding program. United States interest in the Portuguese Water Dog began in 1958 with the importation of the first pair. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was formed in 1972 and the breed was accepted for AKC registration in the early 1980's. In the United States, the highly intelligent Portuguese Water Dog is primarily a companion dog, but also excels at water trials, obedience, agility, and as a therapy dog and assistance dog.
<b>Description:</> The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium sized, hardy and muscular dog. The coat varies from a flat, wavy, shiny type to a thick, open curl, to a tight curl. Two coat clips are used, the lion clip with face and rear shaved, and the working retriever or pet clip where the dog is scissored so the coat appears to be about an inch long all over. The single layered, non-shedding, virtually hypo-allergenic coat comes in black, white or brown, particolor (white with dark spots), black or brown with white markings, or even silver fox or gray. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, solid and sturdy. The topline should be straight and level. The brisket should reach the elbows, and the chest should be broad. The head is large and broad on top with a pronounced stop and occiput. The top of the skull should appear rounded. The heart-shaped ears hang down beside the head, but should not hang beyond the lower jaw. The eyes are dark and the teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The tail starts out thick near the body, then tapers. The legs are very straight, strong and parallel. This breed has more webbing between the toes than many other breeds, which aids in swimming.
<b>Notes:</> Portuguese Water Dogs love to swim. Some are chewers. Breeding stock should be tested for GM-1 Storage Disease, a fatal nerve disease that appears when a puppy is six months old. Some lines are prone to hip dysplasia and PRA. Buy only from OFA and CERF certified stock. Good for allergic persons as the coat doesn't shed. The coat grows more slowly than a poodle's and doesn't require as frequent scissoring or clipping. The Portuguese Water Dog's vocalizations span many octaves.
<b>Personality:</> Lively but sensible and loyal. Affectionate and fun to be around. Stable, pleasant temperament. Brave. Highly intelligent and trainable; they may out-think their owners! Generally willing to please, an obedient dog. Spirited, with great stamina, yet calm. Portuguese Water Dogs have a super sense of humor and love to be in the spotlight of attention. Dominance, barking, and indoor activity level varies greatly with the individual.
<b>Behavior:</>
<C>Children:</C> Excellent with children.
<C>Friendliness:</C> Reserved with strangers.
<C>Trainability:</C> Easy to train.
<C>Independence:</C> Fairly independent.
<C>Dominance:</C> Moderate.
<C>Other Pets:</C> Generally good with other pets.
<C>Combativeness:</C> Not generally dog-aggressive.
<C>Noise:</C> Average barker.
<b>Grooming and Physical Needs:</>
<C>Grooming:</C> Regular grooming needed.
<C>Trimming & Stripping:</C> Moderate trimming or stripping needed.
<C>Coat:</C> Curly coat.
<C>Shedding:</C> Very light.
<C>Exercise:</C> Moderate exercise needed.
<C>Jogging:</C> An excellent jogging companion.
<C>Indoors:</C> Moderately active indoors.
<C>Apartments:</C> Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.
<C>Outdoor Space:</C> A small yard is sufficient.
<C>Climate:</C> Does well in most climates.
<C>Owner:</C> Not recommended for novice owners.
<C>Longevity:</C> Moderately long lived (12 to 15 years).
<b>Talents:</> retrieving, watchdog, guarding, water rescue, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.
<b>For More Information:</>
Call the AKC Breeder Referral Hotline: 1-900-407-PUPS for the name of a breeder referral representative in your area. Cost is 99 cents per minute.
<b>Photo Caption:</> PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
UCI and Am. Ch. Sunrider's Diver of Sete Mare, CGC, POM, LOM, Registered Therapy Dog. Top winning Portuguese Water Dog of all time. Over 350 Best of Breeds. Owned by Lorraine Carver and Helen Greschel. Photo copyright: Cook PhoDOGraphy 1995. All rights reserved.
