Description: The Portuguese Water Dog is a muscular, medium-sized dog. This breed has a stocky build with heavy bones. The dog will measure 20 to 22 inches at the withers and weigh between 42 and 58 pounds. The dog stands 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs 35 to 49 pounds. The Portuguese Water Dog can exhibit two different types of coat: curly or wavy. Waterproof hair is quite long and is found in black, white, brown, or a combination of these basic colors. The Portuguese Water Dog will live between 10 and 14 years. It is also called Portie, Cao de agua and Portuguese Cao de agua.

History: The Portuguese Water Dog originated in Portugal, where the local dogs probably interbred with the Poodle. This dog was an invaluable help to the Portuguese fishermen, as he loves to swim and dive. It was useful for recovering lost nets, protecting the ship, and carrying messages between ships while at sea. The lion cut still displayed by the dog was considered to help the dog navigate in the water, the thick hair on the front protected the dog from the cold, and the clipped hindquarters facilitated movement through the water. Once the fishery became commercialized, the Portuguese Dog nearly became extinct, but it was rescued from oblivion through the efforts of a Portuguese businessman.

Temperament: The Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent companion. This dog is friendly and playful and will do very well with children. The water dog will generally not be aggressive towards other family pets, as it was not developed as a hunting dog. He is easy to train and has found work not only as a friend of the family, but also as a therapy dog.

Health Issues – Although the Portuguese Water Dog can suffer from two very serious genetic diseases, a juvenile heart problem and a nerve disease, testing of breeding stock has almost completely eliminated these fatal ailments. Hip dysplasia can also occur and the dog can also develop progressive retinal atrophy. All of this being said, the Portuguese Dog is a generally healthy breed.

Grooming: As the coat of the Portuguese Water Dog is quite long, it should be brushed at least every other day. In the lion cut, the hair is kept long at the front of the dog and must be constantly groomed. Some people choose to give their Portuguese Water Dog a shorter cut, such as a puppy cut, for easier grooming. If the dog has been in water, make sure the ears are dry to help prevent infection.

Living conditions: This dog is perfectly capable of living in an apartment as long as the owner gives him enough exercise. Since he’s primarily a companion dog, he doesn’t belong in a kennel, but he does best when he interacts with his human family. Incorporating water sports while playing with the Portuguese Dog will delight the dog, since his basic instincts were based on aquatic work. They love to swim and are easy to train to retrieve objects in the water.