A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is an athletic working companion whose curly or wavy coat reflects a history alongside fishermen. Allow for both energetic shared activity and a regular professional grooming plan.
An everyday routine
Make space for substantial daily activity and short learning sessions. A busy weekend cannot replace a dependable weekday routine.
Coat care to plan for
Coat care is a meaningful part of the weekly commitment. Agree on a manageable trim or coat-care method with an experienced groomer and keep up with maintenance between appointments.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Portuguese Water Dog questions
Do Portuguese Water Dogs shed?
Not much. The coat is low shedding, a single coat with no undercoat. The trade is upkeep, because the coat needs regular and extensive grooming.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs hypoallergenic?
No dog is completely free of allergens. The coat is low shedding and often called hypoallergenic, which is why the breed comes up so often for homes with allergies, but people react differently to individual dogs. Spend time with one before you commit if allergies are a concern.
How big does a full-grown Portuguese Water Dog get?
Males stand 20 to 23 inches tall and weigh 42 to 60 pounds, and females stand 17 to 21 inches and weigh 35 to 50 pounds. The ideal height is 22 inches for males and 19 inches for females.
How long do Portuguese Water Dogs live?
Portuguese Water Dogs typically live 11 to 13 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
What were Portuguese Water Dogs bred for?
They were working crew on Portuguese fishing boats. The dogs herded fish into nets, retrieved lost tackle and broken nets, and carried messages between boats and the shore. The breed has webbed feet, and many owners still do organized water work with their dogs.
What is the difference between the lion clip and the retriever clip?
They are the two traditional trims for the breed. In the lion clip the middle of the body, the hindquarters and the muzzle are clipped. In the retriever clip the whole coat is trimmed to follow the dog's outline, no longer than one inch. Both leave the hair at the end of the tail at full length.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs good family dogs?
Often, for an active household. The breed is very affectionate with family and good with young children, and it wants a lot of attention and human contact. Some Porties are too exuberant for families with very young children, so meet the individual dog.
How much exercise does a Portuguese Water Dog need?
A lot. The breed has very high energy and needs vigorous exercise every day, such as long walks, play sessions, dog sports or water work. It is also very intelligent and responsive to training, so plan for daily brain work alongside the physical kind.
