Full of energy and affection, Portuguese Water Dogs make loyal housemates who love activity and water. In fact, their perfect day consists of playing in water then curling up with their human family.
Personality and temperament
Portuguese Water Dogs, or ‘Porties’ for short, are deeply loyal and sociable dogs who love staying close to their humans. They make excellent playmates for kids, though their boisterous energy might scare little ones. Alert and confident, Portie’s are good watchdogs – while they’re unlikely to bite, they will bark to alert their family to anything unusual. This breed can also get up to mischief if not stimulated enough (like some humans), so active households work best.
Size and appearance
A medium-sized doggo, Porties have a strong, athletic build, covered in an adorable coat of curls. They have expressive eyes, a broad head and a thick tail that acts like a boat’s rudder in the water. This breed is built for swimming and are actually one of the few dog breeds who’ll dive down underwater to retrieve things (their little pads even have webbing to help them do this). Though not 100% hypoallergenic, they are low-shedding and allergy-friendly pooches.
History
As you might have guessed, Portuguese Water Dogs originated in Portugal and date back centuries. They were bred specifically to keep fisherman company and work alongside them on their trawlers, braving the rough Atlantic Ocean. They were used to ‘herd’ fish into nets, retrieve dropped items and act as messengers between boats and the shore. This explains why they are built like the mermaids of the dog world, complete with webbed paws! After technology caught up to the fishing industry, we almost lost the breed to the sands of history until it was revived in the 20th century. The most famous Portuguese Water Dogs may very well be Sunny and Bo, owned by Former US President Barack Obama. During his term in office the breed surged in popularity around the world. However, Porties continue to be rare in Australia and New Zealand today.
Health conditions that can affect this breed
These beauties are generally pretty healthy, however they can be prone to the following health conditions:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia (where the hip joints don’t form properly)
- Eye problems, including cataracts and progressive vision loss
- Addison’s disease (Where adrenal glands don’t produce enough vital hormones)
- Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy (a rare genetic heart condition)
- Skin sensitivities
Regular vet check-ups and care can help manage these conditions and keep your Portuguese Water Dog healthy.
Food and exercise
Like all dog breeds (and most humans) Porties can gain weight if under-exercised so serving up high quality, nutrient-dense meals twice a day is recommended. A mix of dry and wet food can help with hydration, and you may want to speak to your vet about supplements for coat and joint health.
Despite their fluffy appearance, Portuguese Water Dogs are working dogs – bred for action! They need 1-2 hours of high-energy activity per day (yes, per day), as well as some mental situation, like puzzler feeders. They’ll love anything involving water (water retrievals are a plus), long bushwalks, agility training, fetch games and anything that challenges them physically and mentally.
Grooming and maintenance
Portuguese Water Dogs have a thick, lush waterproof coat that is low shedding, but it does need regular grooming to prevent matting.
- Bathe: every 4-6 weeks
- Professional groom: every 6-8 weeks
How to groom your Portuguese Water Dog
- Fur: brush 2-3 times a week
- Nails: trim every 3-4 weeks
- Ears: clean and dry weekly as their curly coats can trap moisture
- Eyes: wipe with a damp cloth if needed
Training and space requirements
As they long for mental and physical challenges, training Porties can be easy to do and quite a lot of fun. They respond well to positive reinforcement, short training sessions and structure. Easy socialisation – especially with other household pets and kids – is important, as is plenty of mentally taxing activities like learning tricks, agility and water-based challenges.
While Porties can adapt to small space living, their preference is a larger home with a garden or easy access to parklands or farm living. They can enjoy smaller spaces if their human is able to put in the time and energy needed to make sure they’re tuckered out at the end of the day.
Best suited for…
An affectionate and playful hound, Portuguese Water Dogs are ideal for active households and families with energy to burn. If you’re looking for an almost hypoallergenic dog who’ll always want to join you on your run, swim or camping trip, Porties are the perfect choice. Just make sure you get friendly with your local dog groomer – you’ll be spending plenty of time there.
