Portuguese Water Dog. Paolo Correa

until 1989 that the PWD had the first class of its own at the National Working Breeds Championship Show. By 1991, the Portuguese Water Dog had its own class at Crufts.

      During the 1990s, the breed made a slow but upward spiral in popularity in the UK. A handful of British kennels have come into their own in recent years and have begun producing dogs that are of improved quality. Ruth and David Bussell (Brigantia Kennel), Cheryl Ducket (Coparit Kennel), Nigel Barrow (Elmley Kennel), Jayne Johns (Gemsons Kennel), Trish Gilpin (Glenwhin), Carol Queen (Grandways), Rachael Reddin (Rarjo), Sue Tweedie (Rysalka) and Patricia Jones (Cartmel) are some of the most respected and influential.

       IS THE PORTUGUESE WATER DOG RIGHT FOR YOU?

      If you’ve been thinking about acquiring a Portuguese Water Dog, odds are you’ve probably started the research that’s necessary before purchasing any breed of dog. You are prepared to commit yourself to dog ownership, and your interest in the PWD has led you to learn all you can about the breed. The Portuguese Water Dog’s dedicated group of breeders and fanciers have worked hard to maintain the breed’s stability. Breeders are very selective with their owners and do their very best to place dogs where they are most likely to receive the love and care they rightfully deserve.

       LIVING UP TO ITS NAME

      As its name suggests, the Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent swimmer and diver. They have been known to leap great distances into the water and submerge themselves several feet deep into the water. When the breed was first introduced hundreds of years ago, they were frequently called upon to dive off fishing vessels to retrieve broken fishing gear and to herd schools of fish into nets.

      The Portuguese Water Dog is extremely bright and active. Its uncanny intelligence can be very challenging to new owner(s). Portuguese Water Dog puppies can be very demanding. They require constant attention and cherish family interaction right through adulthood. They can be sensitive and should always be trained with positive reinforcement. If you choose a young puppy, expect him to chew anything that is easily accessible. The young Portuguese Water Dog has even been known to eat plants and other vegetation right down to the roots! They should be heavily supervised at all times and safely crated if left for extended periods of time.

      The Portuguese Water Dog comes in two different coat types: wavy and curly; both types are equally acceptable. They have a robust stature and webbed toes, with a well-balanced and muscled physique. They are tremendous swimmers and have unique diving skills; these are rugged dogs that love to work outdoors. The breed’s athleticism and intelligence have allowed it to excel in agility, flyball, obedience and even tracking. They are quick learners and eager to please their owners. At the same time, they can be extremely sensitive and their feelings are easily hurt.

      The Portuguese Water Dog has sometimes been described as the “clown” of the water dog family. They seem to have sudden bursts of energy that come out of nowhere. Frequently, they can be found sitting calm and motionless. Then, only minutes later, they will be running around from room to room in an excited way. If you are looking for a calm, docile dog, the Portuguese Water Dog may not be the right one for you. They have a unique sense of humor that doesn’t always sit well with some individuals. Daily exercise, and plenty of it, is an absolute necessity for the breed. A PWD is best suited to the active owner who enjoys long walks to an open field or park, or frequent visits to the beach or lake. The breed’s excellent retrieving abilities make them good flying-disc dogs and perfect companions for simple fetching games.

       WINNERS IN WATER

      The PWDCA (Portuguese Water Dog Club of America) sanctions water trials that simulate many ancient functions of the breed. The club has underwater and fish net retrievals, message delivery (from one boat to another) and a measured distance swim. The Portuguese Water Dog enjoys these competitive water events, and these activities keep the dog in maximum shape and condition.

       Even though they are phenomenally successful as water dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs are just as valuable as family companions.

      The Portuguese Water Dog is a quick learner. This is the reason why the breed has done very well in all types of performance and sporting activities. They love to please their owners and will go to extremes to do so. They are energetic, affectionate and trustworthy, and they thrive on human attention. They bond very easily. Despite the breed’s loyalty to its owners and immediate family, it can be reserved with strangers. In fact, PWDs make good watchdogs and will bark to alert you of possible danger when confronted with a stranger or the arrival of an unfamiliar car or person. The breed’s bravery and independence are easily recognizable. The breed does very well with children and other animals. The Portuguese Water Dog’s high energy will keep both the dog and your child busy for hours while they enjoy each other’s company in play. Of course, any dogs and young children should always be supervised.

      The Portuguese Water Dog is an extremely agile flying-disc dog.

      He eagerly awaits the throw and then brings it back for a repeat performance.

      HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

      The male Portuguese Water Dog stands 20 to 23 inches and is usually between 42 to 60 pounds. The female version of the breed is smaller. She stands 17 to 21 inches high and is 35 to 50 pounds.

      If you are looking for a dog that requires minimal grooming, you may want to look elsewhere. The Portuguese Water Dog requires consistent grooming that includes a firm brushing at least three times a week to remove mats and shed hair, which often becomes caught in the long coat. Although they do shed, they shed less than one might think for a heavily coated breed. In dog show competition, the breed is exhibited in one of two clips: the “lion” and the “retriever.” With the lion clip, the hindquarters as well as the muzzle are clipped short. The end of the tail is left long and the coat on the head, neck, fore-quarters and chest is left long to resemble the lion’s mane. The retriever clip is the choice of many pet owners; this is also acceptable for showing. If you decide to go with the retriever clip, the entire coat is scissored or clipped to a length of 1 inch, except the end of the tail, which is left long. If you are a new Portuguese Water Dog owner, it’s probably best to contact your breeder or an experienced groomer before attempting to clip the dog yourself.

      In the field, the breed can be taught to flush out upland game and water fowl. They are excellent retrievers with soft mouths. They even have a distinctive innate herding ability. Whether it’s in the field or in the home, Portuguese Water Dogs make wonderful companions. They are truly “people dogs” and require the utmost respect and loyalty. If you’re willing to give these dogs the attention and love they require, you will certainly receive that same respect back and learn the meaning of true friendship.

       HEALTH CONCERNS

      The Portuguese Water Dog is a healthy breed of dog. It’s not uncommon for them to live well over 12 years of age. They are a strong breed and resistant to many of the common ailments that frequently affect some of their canine cousins. Before acquiring a new puppy, it’s essential that he has a clean bill of health. Any reliable Portuguese Water Dog breeder should have a health certificate from a vet on all dogs for sale as well as documentation on relevant health testing on the parents (and pups, where applicable). If the breeder you select does not have the proper documentation, you should choose to look elsewhere.

      Listed here are some of the more common health concerns that are known to affect the Portuguese Water Dog. It is hoped that a PWD is not affected by any of these conditions; nonetheless, potential buyers of the breed