Portuguese Water Dog
Origin
Native to Portugal, this loyal breed was used by fishermen to retrieve broken nets, dive for fish, herd fish into nets and to take messages to and from boats to shore. They were also used to guard the fishing boats while docked in foreign ports. The first account of the Portuguese Water Dog was by a monk in 1297 who described how a ‘dog with a black coat that looked like a lion’ saved a fisherman from drowning. Classified in the Working Group, this breed was recognized in 1983 by the AKC.
Grooming
The Portuguese Water Dog has webbed feet which allows it to excel in swimming, is highly intelligent and makes for a great guard dog and loyal companion. Their coats come in two types: Wavy (no curls just waves) and Curly (tight ringlets) both types of coats are non-shedding which makes them hypoallergenic and an ideal pet for people with allergies. (there has never really been a breed that was classified as hypoallergenic, this came about as this is a non-shedding breed)
The breed is also kept in two different cuts: Lion and Retriever. The Lion cut is the most popular and is how the breed was originally kept. Leaving the coat on the head, neck and over the rib cage, shaved only on the hind quarters and most of its tail, this cut allowed the dog’s vital organs to be protected from the cold of the water, while with the hind quarters being shaved, allowed the dog to be able to maneuver better in the water. The Retriever cut is when the coat is trimmed equally showing the outline of the dogs’ body. Grooming is recommended daily, as this breeds hair grows constantly like their human companions hair.
Exercise
This is a very athletic dog which loves to work and wants to work. Best to live in a house with a yard, this breed will do well in an apartment setting as long as it is provided with daily rigorous exercise. If not given the proper daily exercise and workout, this breed will become frustrated and can be destructive to your home.
Swimming is the first choice of activity for this wonderful breed. However, they do love to go jogging as well. The Portuguese Water Dog excels in: Obedience training, Agility, Water Sports, Fly Ball, Herding and Endurance. They are also a wonderful companion and therapy dogs.
Summary
The Portuguese Water Dog has an incredible memory, making them easy to train and able to receive directions from their owners. This dog loves to please and will warn you if a stranger is approaching his territory. This breed is vocal and will seek out his master if something alarms him. This natural ability makes this breed wonderful as a deaf assistance dog.
This is a fun dog to have. Being extremely versatile the Portuguese water dog has no boundaries in which it can be trained.
For more information on Portuguese Water Dogs please read Portuguese Water Dogs Are the Best! 