Portugese Water Dog Breed Information and Care

The Portuguese Water Dog is a highly intelligent breed that thrives on mental and physical stimulation. They require regular exercise and training to keep them happy and healthy.

These dogs are naturally athletic and love to swim, making them a great fit for active families. They have a strong instinct to work and please their owners.

Portuguese Water Dogs are known for their low-shedding coat, which makes them a great choice for people with allergies. This coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice as both family pets and working dogs.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Dog Coat Types

The Portuguese Water Dog is a highly active breed that requires vigorous, frequent exercise and space to run. They need to be engaged and stimulated to prevent boredom, which can lead to barking and chewing.

They are easily motivated and trainable, making them a great breed for first-time dog owners or those who enjoy training their pets. Portuguese Water Dogs are also great with kids and other dogs, making them a true family pet.

Here are some key characteristics of the breed:

With enough exercise and attention, Portuguese Water Dogs can be calm and loving family members.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a highly territorial dog, like other breeds in the Working Group.

She protects what she considers hers, and that includes her family, which means she can get quite vocal about strangers or other dogs.

This dog is quite assertive and demands a lot of attention, so be prepared to give her plenty of interaction and exercise.

She's not a calm animal, but rather strong and at times forceful, which can be both a blessing and a challenge for owners.

The positive aspect of this behavior is that she is a wonderful companion, taking good care of the children in her family and feeling at home in a variety of environments, from the city to the country to the beach.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium to large dog, with males standing between 20 to 23 inches from the shoulder. They can weigh between 42 and 60 pounds.

Females are slightly smaller, standing between 17 to 21 inches from the shoulder, and weighing between 35 and 50 pounds. This breed has a thick and profuse coat with no undercoat, mane, or ruff.

The coat is seen in two varieties: tight and curly, similar to the Poodle coat, yet softer and somewhat wavy with a slight gloss. It's seen in all shades of black or brown with or without white markings.

Consider reading: Yorkshire Terrier Coat

Portuguese Water Dogs are generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Hip dysplasia and gastric dilation/torsion (bloat) are two potential concerns.

Regular brushing and grooming is essential to keep their coat beautiful. Brushing their teeth daily will prevent periodontal disease.

Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent and energetic dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. Swimming is a great form of exercise for them, and they excel at dog sports like obedience, agility, flyball, and rally.

Take a look at this: How Much Exercise Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Need

Here are some common bone and joint problems that can affect Portuguese Water Dogs:

To prevent or manage these conditions, it's essential to keep your Portuguese Water Dog at a healthy weight, feed a high-quality diet, and avoid excessive twisting of the knees. Regular veterinary check-ups and X-rays can help identify issues early on, and surgery may be necessary in severe cases.

To keep your Portuguese Water Dog happy and healthy, it's essential to establish a routine care schedule. This includes regular brushing and grooming to keep her coat beautiful.

You should also supervise your pet as you would a toddler, keeping doors closed, picking up after yourself, and blocking off rooms as necessary to prevent her from getting into trouble.

Portuguese Water Dogs generally have good teeth, but regular brushing is still necessary to keep them perfect. Brush her teeth at least twice a week to ensure her oral health.

Related reading: How to Keep Dogs Water from Freezing

Here are some essential care tasks to include in your routine:

Remember to keep her diet consistent and don't give her people food. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age, and exercise her regularly, but don't overdo it at first.

Caring for your Portuguese Water Dog at home requires attention to her diet, exercise, and overall health. Brush her teeth at least twice a week to keep them perfect, and clean her ears weekly to prevent infection.

Supervising your pet is crucial, especially when she's a puppy. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary to keep her out of trouble. This will also keep her away from objects she shouldn't put in her mouth.

Regular brushing and grooming are essential to keep her coat beautiful. You can also help keep her teeth clean by feeding a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. Don't give her people food, as this can lead to an inconsistent diet.

Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent and energetic dogs that need mental and physical stimulation. Keep her mind and body active with regular exercise, such as swimming, which is a great form of exercise for this breed. They excel at dog sports like obedience, agility, flyball, and rally.

To maintain her health, adhere to the recommended schedule of examinations and vaccinations. This will help identify any potential health issues early on, and prevent the spread of diseases common in Portuguese Water Dogs.

Spaying or neutering your PWD is one of the best things you can do for her. It decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers.

Having your female PWD spayed surgically removes the ovaries and usually the uterus, while in males, it surgically removes the testicles. This eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies.

Performing the surgery also gives us a chance to identify and address some diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery helps identify and take precautions for common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk.

Veterinary Care is an essential part of your Portuguese Water Dog's life. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian will help keep your dog happy and healthy.

You should adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that your veterinarian recommends. This is when they'll give your dog the necessary "check-ups" and test for diseases and conditions that are common in PWDs.

Pet health insurance is a must-have to cover the costs of medical tests and procedures your dog will need throughout her life.

Here are some general veterinary care tips:

Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with a more detailed plan for your dog's specific needs.