The Portuguese Water Dog Shop
Portuguese Water Dog Breed Summary
Friendly, Intelligent, Happy Loyal and Energetic
Portuguese Water Dogs are, if you didn't already guess it, native to Portugal! Supposedly, they were introduced to the country by Moor Traders and probably share their ancestry with other water dogs. They quickly became a highly prized dog to Portuguese Fishermen as they were fantastic at retrieving lost nets in the water. As well as this, they made fantastic hunting and guard dogs as well. It was in the 11th century that they were first referenced by Monks, regarding them saving a man from a shipwreck! However, the official origins of the breed remain unknown. Many believe they are descendants of dogs such as Poodles, Pulis and Kerry Blue Terriers. King Carlos I, who served as king during the late 1800s was a real lover of the breed and this caused the breed to shoot up in popularity! Nowadays, they are a popular and well-known dog in their native country, but are essentially unknown elsewhere.
| Kennel Club Group | Working |
| Lifespan | 12 - 15 years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males 20in - 23in, Females 17in - 21in |
| Weight | Males 42lb - 60lb, Females 35lb - 50lb |
| Coat | Single coats that can be either wavy or curly |
| Color | Black, White, Gray or Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Common health issues | Hip Dysplasia, Addison's Disease, Follicular Dysplasia |
| Other Names | PWD, Portie, Water Dog, Cao de Agua |
The Portuguese Water Dog are extremely friendly and happy dogs who absolutely adore their hoomans. They are also very intelligent which makes training them a fairly simple task. Additionally, the breed is very high-energy and so will need to live with a family who already lead an active lifestyle that they can join in with. They're not the best breed for first time owners as they require specific handling and training from people who have had experience with this breed. Additionally, they need lots of mental and physical stimulation in order to remain happy and engaged doggies. Overall though, they make lovely family pets!
Fishermen counted on the strong and muscular dogs to be hardworking and seaworthy. They would ride in trawlers from the warm Atlantic waters of Portugal to the freezing cold waters off the coast of Iceland. Technology eventually laid him off from his job, but Porties are still used for water rescue.