Portuguese Water Dog Puppies

The Portuguese Water Dog is a delightful breed that's full of energy and intelligence. These dogs need lots of physical and mental exercise, and they especially love to swim. Its playful and friendly nature makes the Portie a great dog for families with children, and the breed thrives on being around its human pack. That said, these dogs do not do well in a kennel or left by themselves for long periods of time. Training a Portuguese Water Dog isn't too challenging. They are typically eager to please and respond well to directions.

Portuguese Water Dogs are very healthy, but should be tested for conditions like Hip Dysplasia, Addison's Disease, and Folliculary Dysplasia. They love the water, so their ears should be checked regularly for moisture and dirt to prevent infection.

Portuguese Water Dogs have a ton of energy, and are happiest in an active household. A large fenced in yard is encouraged for safe playtime, and they love accompanying their owners on hikes and adventures. They were bred to swim, and still love this pasttime.

Their hypoallergenic coat doesn't shed, but its dense curls require regular maintenance to stay healthy. They should be combed or brushed 2-3 times per week to prevent tangles, and they should be trimmed every month. Since these pups love swimming, they should be rinsed off regularly with fresh water to rinse out any damaging chemicals.

The Portuguese Water Dog has a thick, curly coat that sheds very lightly. With little shedding and no undercoat, this breed is considered to be hypoallergenic and a great fit for people with allergies.

They are a medium sized, muscular dog with straight and level top lines. Their coat can either be wavy or curly, but is always a dense single coat. Many owners will get them clipped in a lion or retriever clip, where the entire coat is clipped to once inch in length. Their coat is either black, white, or brown.

The Portuguese Water Dog descends from other water dogs that were used by Portuguese fishermen to drive fish into nets and retrieve items from the water. Most historians believe that the Portuguese Water Dog shares an ancestor with the Poodle, who was originally bred to be a water dog. Over the years, Portuguese Water Dogs were used in many fishing trips, but the breed's popularity dramatically declined once fishing became more modernized in the early 1900s. Luckily, one man, Dr. Vasco Bensaude, saw to it that the breed did not die out. Over the decades, the Portuguese Water Dog was re-established as a breed and it made its way to America during the mid-1900s. The breed gradually gained a following in the United States, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Portuguese Water Dog in 1983.