Portuguese Water Dogs are a lovable, medium-sized breed. They once helped fishermen along Portugal’s coast by herding fish, retrieving lost tackle, and delivering messages. Today they are loved by many families worldwide, but they haven’t lost their love for swimming.
PWDs are highly intelligent and respond well to obedience and house training. They love quality time with their humans and are very enthusiastic around new people. Positive reinforcement and consistency are important things to keep in mind when training this breed, as they may be hurt by harsh tones.
This is a very adaptable dog breed. They are not particularly sensitive to hot or cold climates, but be careful of extreme temps like with all breeds. They will do well in an apartment setting as long as they are properly exercised and have enough attention. The Portuguese Water Dog will not enjoy long periods of alone time, as they are happiest while spending time and engaging with their family.
Porties are hearty dogs with a lifespan of 11-13 years. Like all breeds, however, they are susceptible to certain health conditions. These include juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy and storage disease. The health of the parents play a large role genetically, so it is important for breeders to screen their breeding adults.
Because of their high intelligence level, the Portuguese Water Dog is a good choice for an owner with any experience level. They pick up simple commands very quickly, and are easily housebroken the majority of the time. Even for an owner who is looking to use this dog breed for agility or other advanced uses like a service dog, these dogs will meet practically any challenge.
The PWD’s heavy coat is considered hypoallergenic, but it requires a lot of grooming. Regular brushing and frequent haircuts are important for them to stay looking their best. It is also essential to keep their nails trimmed, teeth brushed, and ears clean and dry.
Portuguese Water Dogs are a very active breed that needs a lot of daily exercise. Long daily walks and a large outdoor space to run will keep them very happy. True to their name, swimming is something they enjoy as well! They also love exercising their minds with activities like puzzles, and canine sports like tracking, obedience, agility, rally, and even dock diving.
The Portuguese Water Dog stands at an average of 17-23 inches tall, weighing 35-60 pounds.
A Portuguese Water Dog generally lives 10 to 14 years.
The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, chose the Portuguese Water Dog as his presidential family pet. President Obama currently owns two Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo and Sunny, and was said to have chosen this breed because they are a low-shedding, hypoallergenic dog breed.
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