Portuguese Water Dog Breed Information & Characteristics

The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Portuguese Water Dogs are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Brave
Impetuous
Obedient
Docile
Intelligent
Quarrelsome

Portuguese Water Dog will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Portuguese Water Dogs are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Portuguese Water Dog is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

Portugal

poodle

American Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Australian National Kennel Council
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The Kennel Club

700 BC

Working (AKC:1983)
Gun Dogs (UKC)

Brown

Black
Brown

Black
White
Brown

The coat of a Portuguese Water Dog dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Curly

A Portuguese Water Dog can have a litter of 10-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Portuguese Water Dogs are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

The Portuguese Water Dog is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Hip Dysplasia
Addison's Disease
Follicular Dysplasia

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Eye
Hip
Blood Test
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Portuguese Water Dogs are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Portuguese Water Dog have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

The Portuguese Water Dog dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Portuguese Water Dogs are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Portuguese Water Dog dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Portuguese Water Dog dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Walking, Petting, Running, Run, Frisbee, Swim, Fetch, Nose work, Sniffing, Drinking water, Jogging, Walk, Tug-of-war, Jump

Portuguese Water Dogs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Portuguese Water Dog, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Portuguese Water Dogs usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Portuguese Water Dog should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Slicker Brush
Scissors
Clipper
Nail Clipper

For an average 42-60 pound (19 - 27 kg) Portuguese Water Dog feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a Portuguese Water Dog is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Portuguese Water Dog is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The Portuguese Water Dog breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

The Portuguese Water Dog is an apartment-friendly dog breed. They can do perfectly well in apartments providing they are sufficiently exercised and taken out and about as part of their owner's daily lifestyle.

Portuguese Water Dogs are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Portuguese Water Dogs are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on

Portuguese Water Dogs are friendly, active and loyal companions. They generally love to be around other dogs, making them a good family pet for some,

Portuguese Water Dogs are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Portuguese Water Dog is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Portuguese Water Dog dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.