Overview
The Portuguese Water Dog is a strong, athletic dog from the Algarve coast of Portugal. It has a single coat that does not shed in the usual way, webbed toes and a love of water.
It is an intelligent, eager worker that thrives on activity and being close to its family. It is a rewarding choice for owners who want an energetic, trainable companion and don't mind regular grooming.
History
The breed developed along the Portuguese coast, where dogs herded fish into nets, retrieved lost gear and carried messages between boats and the shore. They sailed on trawlers as far as the cod fishing grounds near Iceland.
The breed was close to extinction in the 1930s, when the shipping magnate Vasco Bensaude began working to save it. Today it is fairly rare but well loved, and became widely known as the breed chosen by the Obama family.
Appearance
A solidly built, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with strong bone. Males stand around 51 to 58 cm and weigh 18 to 27 kg; females are smaller at roughly 43 to 53 cm and 16 to 23 kg.
The eyes are dark, the toes are prominently webbed, and the tail acts like a rudder. The coat is either curly, in tight cylindrical curls, or wavy, falling in gentle waves. It is traditionally clipped in a lion cut or a simple retriever cut.
Temperament
Portuguese Water Dogs are loving, intelligent and eager to work. They tend to stay near their people, often bonding most strongly with one family member, and they do not do well when left alone for long periods.
They are generally friendly to strangers, quick to learn and excellent at obedience, agility and assistance work. They have a strong retrieving instinct, may jump up in greeting and are famous for counter surfing. Boredom can make them destructive.
Care and exercise
These dogs need vigorous daily exercise and mental challenge, and swimming is a favourite. Training is easy and enjoyable if it is varied and positive.
The coat keeps growing and must be clipped about every two months and brushed every other day to avoid matting and hair falling over the eyes. Although it sheds very little, no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
