Florida Fur Babies > Dog Breeds > Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dog Breed Info
Adopt a Portuguese Water Dog puppy at Florida Fur Babies! Smart, loving, and playful, he is easy to train as long as you're willing to give praise for good behavior. He loves children and other animals and makes a great playmate in the park or at home. He enjoys daily exercise such as walks or hikes through the woods or by the beach. If you are looking for an energetic dog who will love swimming in the sea with you or hiking through mountain trails in search of adventure, then this is your dog!
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Sweet, Loyal, Joyful, Outgoing
ADULT WEIGHT
30-60 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
15-20 in
LIFE SPAN
12-14 yrs
Characteristics
- The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent, energetic, and active dog
- They enjoy participating in family activities and are known to follow their owners around the house
- They enjoy training sessions and you'll be amazed by how quickly they can get it
- Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent and easy to train. They make excellent companions for active families
- They are known for their loyalty and good temperament
- They make excellent watchdogs as well as family companions for active people who enjoy spending time with their dogs outside on land or in the water
- The Portuguese Water Dog is hypoallergenic and sheds very little hair; therefore making them a great choice for allergy sufferers
- They are excellent swimmers and enjoy playing in water so much that they will even take baths willingly
Appearance
The Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) is a medium-sized dog with a short, thick coat that comes in several colors. They have a square muzzle, large ears, and dark brown eyes.
The average height for this breed ranges from 15-20 inches tall and 30-56 pounds with males being larger than females by about 10 pounds on average. Their coats come in three different colors including black, white, or liver.
There are many variations within each color group including sable, brindle, black and tan (black spots), and blue merle (black spots with blue overtones). Their coats can be short or long depending on their environment. Most people prefer short coats because they shed less than long ones do.
Temperament
The Portuguese Water Dog temperament is fun-loving, loyal, and affectionate. They are intelligent dogs that love to play and swim. They are active and energetic and require daily exercise.
They have a high energy level, but not all this energy needs to be expended in physical activity. The Portuguese Water Dog will do well with a one- or two-hour daily walk, plus vigorous play sessions, but he's equally happy to curl up in your lap and relax while you read or watch TV.
They love to play with their owners but can also entertain themselves for long periods of time with chew toys or balls to throw around the house or yard. This makes them good apartment dogs who don't need a yard for exercise — just a daily walk.
Care
Grooming
Portuguese Water Dogs have a wonderful coat, it’s thick and typically wavy. The coat should be brushed out daily to prevent matting and tangling.
Portuguese Water Dogs should have their teeth brushed at least two times per week with a toothpaste designed for dogs. Daily brushing will help keep their breath fresh and help prevent gum disease which can lead to tooth loss later in life.
Nails should be trimmed every 2-3 weeks using dog nail clippers. If you're not sure how to cut your dog's nails yourself, ask your vet or groomer for pointers on how to properly trim them without cutting too much off at one time. It's important not to cut too much off at once because it will cause bleeding which could lead to infection.
Exercise Needs
The Portuguese Water Dog is a gundog that originated in Portugal. He's an intelligent and energetic breed that needs daily exercise.
These dogs are happiest when they have something active to do, such as a job to do or a game to play. They're not overly needy, but they do like to be part of the family.
They need plenty of exercise each day. It is best suited for someone with a backyard or a large park nearby where the dog can run free and play fetch. If you don't have access to a yard, take your dog on long walks each day so he can relieve himself outside and get some fresh air and sunshine.
Health
The Portuguese Water Dog is a healthy breed. They live long, which means that they can be around for many years, so it's important to make sure you are taking care of your dog's health. They have a few health concerns that you should be aware of. Most of these issues are common in all dogs and can be managed with proper care.
They can have allergies to fleas, grasses, and dust mites. This can cause hair loss as well as itching. Some dogs may also be allergic to certain foods or chemicals in their environment. It is important to keep your pet on a hypoallergenic diet if you suspect an allergy. If you notice any of these symptoms then it might be worth your while to take your dog to the vet for an examination.
Lifespan
The PWD is a very healthy breed, with few health issues. They tend to be fairly hearty and are able to live 12-14 years on average. Some individuals can live as long as 17 years!
Training
The Portuguese Water Dog makes a great family dog. They are loyal and protective of their owners, making them excellent guard dogs. They are also very intelligent and easy to train. They need a lot of daily exercise, and they love to swim!
The PWD is a good family pet because it is easy to train, obedient, and eager to please. Positive reinforcement works well with this breed. This dog loves people so much that it will try to please everyone it meets. It is a very intelligent breed, so training should be fun for both dog and owner.
The Portuguese Water Dog can be trained in basic obedience skills such as sitting, staying, and coming within a short period of time using positive reinforcement training methods such as clicker training, treats, or praise.
The PWD responds well to clicker training because he understands what he's being asked to do by the sound of the clicker.
History
The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed of dog that originated in Portugal. The breed's roots can be traced back to the early 17th century, when it was used as a working dog for a variety of tasks, such as herding fish into fishing nets, helping fishermen pull in nets from the water, and retrieving objects from the water.
The Portuguese Water Dog was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1984. Today, this breed is also known by its nickname "Portuguese Sheepdog."
It is believed that the Portuguese Water Dog descends from a group of dogs that were brought to Portugal by Chinese explorers during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). These dogs were referred to as "Lhasa Apso," which means "puffy-lion dog." This name comes from their resemblance to lions when they are wet after swimming.