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The Portuguese Water Dog is a natural retriever. All puppies are mouthy but a retrieving PWD is going to use his mouth even more than most other breeds. Are you prepared for this? The PWD is non-shedding but, like the Poodle, needs grooming every
6 -8 weeks. At least weekly, the PWD needs to have its coat thoroughly
brushed, its nails trimmed and its ears/teeth cleaned. Whether
you plan to learn to groom your dog or to take him to a groomer,
it is a commitment of time and money. Please contact several breeders and/or owners before purchasing your puppy. The more informed you are, the better your decision if this is the right dog for your family and lifestyle.
Portuguese Water Dogs first came to the United States in late 1960. In 1972, there were only 25 known PWDs in the world. Because of dedicated breeders, by 1981 there were 500 dogs in the United States. Today, it is estimated that there are over 9000 Portuguese Water Dogs living in the U.S. The Portuguese Water Dog today exhibits eagerness, intensity, and strong swimming and retrieving abilities. In order to preserve these qualities and maintain for the future or the breed's natural instincts, the Portuguese Water Dog Club or America has designed a series of water work exercises which reflect the historical working background of the breed. The exercises are designed to show the dog's ability to perform a task and its willingness to do so on command.
Size: Proportion: Off square, slightly longer than tall when measured from prosternum to rear most point of the buttocks, and from withers to ground. Substance: Strong, substantial bone; well developed, neither refined nor coarse; and a solidly built, muscular body. Unique qualities for PWDs Webbed feet, Penetrating eyes, Tail carriage, and Short lively gait with a forward striding trot. Color: Black, white, various tones of brown; also combinations of black or brown and white. The skin is bluish. The nose, mouth and eyelids are black or brown depending on the coat color. Temperament: An animal of spirited disposition, self- willed, brave, very resistant to fatigue, who is exceptionally intelligent and a loyal companion. PWDCGC Information
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The
Portuguese Water Dog is a thinking dog with a high energy level.
This can make training very easy but while they learn quickly,
they need new
challenges. After they "know" a task, most attempt to
improvise or modify it. This breed is generally not happy hanging
around the house or backyard he needs to work -whether it be in
water work, obedience, tracking, agility, or tasks around the house.
Do you have an hour a day for dog activities?
The Portuguese Water Dog past and present is a working breed. The
breed developed many centuries ago along the coast or Portugal
and its heritage is as a seafaring working dog. The Portuguese
fishermen kept this dog as a working part or their crew, and he
was prized by the fishermen as a spirited, thinking yet obedient-
natured dog with a robust medium-build that allowed for a full
day's work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog is
a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina. He aided
his master at sea by retrieving broken nets, herding schools of
fish, and carrying messages between boats and to shore: while on
land, he was a respected guard dog for the boats at night. The
Portuguese Water Dog was a fisherman's loyal companion, however,
modern marine technology and the radio caused the near extinction
of the breed.