Portuguese Water Dog Puppies

Long before becoming the latest celebrity at the White House, Portuguese Water Dog puppies have been bred, raised and trained for centuries to be superior companions and working dogs of exceptional stamina. A PWD pup can be a wise choice for a family pet if you realize a few of the breed’s inherent tendencies and how to work with them.

The Portuguese Water Dog is also known as Cão de Agua Portages. They are a breed original to the coastline towns of Portugal, although their breeding region is now limited to one coastline region – Algarve.

PWDs are magnificent dogs bred to work with fishermen to retrieve fishing nets and carry messages back and forth from boats. Historically, they have been used during wars and various naval attacks for their stamina in carrying messages from one ship to another.

As natural swimmers, these dogs have well developed muscles. Of medium build, their musculature makes them seem heavier than they really are. Their water resistant coats are much admired and their bodies are covered by it. They have only one coat and no undercoat; the coat itself is either wavy and long or short and curly.

If shown, the coat is clipped to expose the muzzle, hindquarters and back legs, and the tail is left with a tuft. This cut was originally used to make the dog aerodynamic in the water, but it's seen primarily on show dogs these days.

The Portuguese Water Dog does not move with a lengthy stride like an Irish Setter. It maintains a medium trot, but can break into an all out gallop when the need or the urge rises.

This breed has webbed paws covered by hair. Usually Portuguese Water Dogs are black, brown, white or some combination thereof, and if the hair is pushed aside, their skin looks blue in surface tone and color.

This is an active breed; therefore, this will be an active puppy. As such, it is generally not wise to bring a Portuguese puppy into the family with babies and toddlers. If you are truly determined to own this breed, wait until your children are at least between the ages of eight and ten to not only keep up with the puppy, but to be able to withstand its natural exuberance.

The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America is serious when it recommends starting obedience training for these puppies within their first year. While a PWD puppy will grow into a wonderful family pet, these dogs do have a mind of their own. If you do not want to be stuck with a stubborn two-year-old in a dog sense of the phrase, proper and continuous training is necessary right from the beginning.

There is also no doubt that this is a breed that will require constant grooming right from the start. A dog with wavy hair is going to need daily brushing to help keep it clean and distribute the natural oils throughout the coat. Please note that since this breed sheds very little, it is often bought thinking that it will work with someone with allergies. However, all dogs shed to a degree, and any family members who have allergies should first meet the dog and handle it in a controlled situation at the breeder’s home to see if it triggers a reaction.

Portuguese Water Dog puppies are bright and have an open and winning personality, but they need a firm hand from the start. They need daily exercise and are good at running, retrieving and, of course, swimming.

• Make sure prior to purchasing a puppy that its hips are x-rayed. These dogs are prone to hip dysplasia.

• Portuguese Water Dog puppies may also be affected by Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This is produced by two recessive genes, meaning it is inherited. Puppies between the ages of a few weeks to seven months may simply go to sleep and pass away because of it. A blood test is available to determine if a dog has JDC. It will also determine if the dog is a carrier of the gene. There is no treatment for this disease, and dogs carrying the gene are not allowed to be bred. This is important to remember if you plan to show the dog.

• Another genetic disease is called GM-1 Storage Disease. Puppies that have it will not grow since it is a metabolic disease. Before purchasing a puppy, make sure that the gene test for this disease has been done.

• Portuguese Water Dogs may also grow and be affected by Addison’s disease, an adrenal cortical disease that can be treated. It is often thought difficult to diagnose since it mimics other diseases.

Just as with any dog you are thinking of bringing into a home, think long and hard before bringing a Portuguese Water Dog home. Think about what this breed will require from puppyhood through adulthood, and determine if you and your family can give it.

A loving, even tempered breed that is quick to learn but can be obstinate if not trained from the beginning, a Portuguese Water Dog can be the dog for you. Raising the dog successfully from a puppy to an adult is well worth it in terms of companionship if you are prepared to give this breed the attention, exercise and discipline it not only needs, but craves from you.

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