Dog Breed

Portuguese Water Dog

RareAdventure DrivenHypoallergenic
Primary image of Portuguese Water Dog dog breed
Full Name
Portuguese Water Dog
Alternate Names
Portie
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Life Span
10 - 14 years
Weight
35 - 60 pounds
Description

The Portuguese Water dog is relatively rare to find outside of Portugal. It is athletic, adventurous, and loves... the water, of course. They were used to collect fish on boats and to pass messages between ships and the shore. They could swim in warm and cold waters, and had incredible stamina. Today the Portie is more of family dog, that can be compared to a Poodle or a Labradoodle. However, the Portuguese Water dog is demanding and has high energy, so it will need plenty of exercise and training.

Origin
Portugal
Bred For
Fishing aid
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog good with children?

    Yes! The Portuguese Water Dog is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog friendly with strangers?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Portuguese Water Dog is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Portuguese Water Dog is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog like to cuddle?

    The Portuguese Water Dog loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog like to play?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog make a good service dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog can be a service dog with the proper training. Portuguese Water Dogs are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog good for first-time owners?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Portuguese Water Dog be trained?

    The Portuguese Water Dog can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Portuguese Water Dog is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog shed a lot?

    The Portuguese Water Dog does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog easy to groom?

    The Portuguese Water Dog requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Portuguese Water Dog to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Portuguese Water Dog on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog need a lot of exercise?

    The Portuguese Water Dog has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Portuguese Water Dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Portuguese Water Dog bark? Does the Portuguese Water Dog bark too much?

    The Portuguese Water Dog barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Portuguese Water Dog will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog a good guard dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog good at staying alone? Is the Portuguese Water Dog independent?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog a good apartment dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Portuguese Water Dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Portuguese Water Dog tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Portuguese Water Dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Portuguese Water Dog tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Portuguese Water Dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog try to run away?

    It is natural for the Portuguese Water Dog to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog a healthy dog? The health of a Portuguese Water Dog should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Portuguese Water Dog high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Portuguese Water Dog?

    The Portuguese Water Dog has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Portuguese Water Dog into your home. Can you give your Portuguese Water Dog enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Portuguese Water Dog drool?

    The Portuguese Water Dog drools an average amount- typically only after heavy exercise or if you are eating their favorite human food in front of them.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog have a large prey drive? Does the Portuguese Water Dog like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Portuguese Water Dog has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog atheltic?

    The Portuguese Water Dog is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  1. Working
  2. Water Dog
  3. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is a purebred dog that belongs to the Water Dog sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Water Dog sub-group: Water dogs are athletic dogs that have been bred to retrieve and serve their owners under conditions that require swimming. They have thick coats that keep them warm but dry easily, and their feet are thick with webbed toes. They are happy, and always ready to make their owners happy. They are intelligent, want to make their owners happy, and are healthy dogs, truly making them excellent pets. They require frequent exercise and stimulation, but in return you will get an excellent dog. They would make an excellent alternative to the Golden Retriever- with similar personalities and upsides, just not as well known.

Portuguese Water Dogs for adoption

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