Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog isn't the best known breed, but those who do know these dogs have plenty of reasons to love them.

About 500 years old, people bred the Portuguese Water Dog to work with Portuguese fishermen. Training included to readily jump into the water and herd schools of fish toward the nets, retrieve nets, and other related activities. They also carried messages between ships and from ship to shore. As a result, they became extremely strong swimmers with a natural affinity for the water and a nearly endless supply of energy.

Technological advances in commercial fishing almost led to the demise of the breed, but a wealthy shipping magnate named Vasco Bensaude made it his mission to save these dogs by collecting specimens for breeding. His program was a success, and the American Kennel Club officially recognized this breed in 1983.

At first glance, a Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) looks quite like a Poodle due to the profuse coat, but up close, you see clear differences. This medium-sized breed usually finds itself with a muscular build and strong bones.

With a broad head and a good-sized nose, the PWD sports a muzzle with a definite stop where it meets the skull. The forehead is high, and the back of the skull is well curved. PWDs have full, dark eyes with a calmly penetrating expression, and heart-shaped ears that hang close to the skull. The muscular neck flows into a broad, deep chest. The topline is level. The tail is thick at the base and tapers to the tip; it is never docked, plus it curves over the back when the dog is alert. One of the most distinctive features of this breed is their webbed feet.

According to the American Kennel Club standard, these dogs average between 35 and 60 pounds, and reach up to 23 inches tall at the shoulder.

The coat of these dogs is one of their greatest assets. The coat grows incredibly thick and provides excellent insulation. It is virtually waterproof and allows these dogs to spend long hours swimming in cold water. It should also be noted that these dogs do not shed, and while it can't be said that any breed is truly hypoallergenic, many claim that these dogs produce fewer reactions than many other breeds.

PWDs come in two coat varieties, neither of which is favored over the other.

• Wavy: This coat hangs in waves and has a soft shine.
• Curly: This coat produces dense curls, similar in texture to a Poodle.

Colors include:

• Black
• All shades of brown
• White
• Silver
• Parti-color: This is a combination of one of the solid colors and white.

The personality of the average PWD is a wonderful combination of liveliness, common sense, and a willingness to cooperate and please. Bred for endurance, PWDs tend to not be hyperactive and can make wonderful companions for adults and children under the right conditions. They get along well with other dogs and can be trained to accept cats if they are raised with them as youngsters.

One thing potential owners must realize is that PWDs are devoted to their people, and they require a good deal of attention to remain well adjusted. PWDs do not thrive on being left alone most of the day without companionship. Boredom leads to frustration, and frustration can lead to behavior problems.

PWDs love to work closely with human companions, so you'll find PWDs train with greater ease than many other breeds. However, these dogs are independent thinkers, which makes it necessary for you to take the leadership position from the beginning. They respond well to positive training methods because they have such a strong desire to please you. Harsh reprimands will only slow down the learning process.

PWDs love to participate in nearly any activity including obedience, agility, retrieving, and other field sports.

Bred to be a working dog, the athletic PWD needs daily exercise and mental stimulation. Plan on taking daily walks or jogs with your dog to help him burn off excess energy. Since these dogs love the water so much, you should take your pet swimming a couple times a week if you can manage it. Barring a full swim, a rousing game of fetch along the shoreline also provides plenty of exercise and stimulation. Playing fetch asks your dog to perform a task, and by giving your dog a job to fulfill, he'll feel more content.

Lack of proper exercise and companionship can lead to destructive behavior such as tearing up furniture or chewing your belongings.

To prevent matting, make sure to brush and bath these dogs consistently. There are two main trims:

• Lion clip: The muzzle and rear are shaved, leaving the coat left long over the rest of the body.
• Retriever clip: This is a utilitarian clip with the entire coat scissored to approximately one inch long. The only exception is the tail.

On average, PWDs live between ten and twelve years. The fairly robust breed has a few serious health problems which you should be aware.

• Dysplasia: This condition causes painful degeneration of the hip and elbow joints.
• PRA blindness: This condition causes atrophy of the retina.
• GM-1 storage disease: This condition usually becomes evident around six months of age. It causes nerve damage and is usually fatal because the disease is well under way before it becomes evident.
• Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy: This hereditary heart condition causes sudden death in puppies.

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