BREED PROFILE
Portuguese Water Dogs are highly intelligent, lots of energy breed that requires good training, guidance and of course lots of love. This is a dog that wants to be around you all the time so don’t be surprised to have them follow you just like your shadow and lay right beside you at times when you are busy.
This breed gets along very well with children and other pets. As a watchdog it’s alert and protective but not aggressive.
Daily exercise outdoors is a must or the Portuguese Water Dog will provide its own entertainment indoors.
Their coat will need attention and grooming. Although the coat does not shed, it must be combed or brushed several times a week. As the coat is hair it will continue to grow so clipping and scissoring is recommended to be done every 4 to 6 weeks either professionally or by yourself.
HISTORY
Portuguese Water Dogs (PWD) developed in Portugal, known as “Cao De Agua” which means “dog of the water.”
The Portuguese fishermen kept these dogs as a working part of their crews, some of their duties were carrying messages between ships and from ship to shore, retrieve broken fishing nets and equipment that have gone overboard. The PWD was the fisherman’s loyal companion and guard dog. Due to modern technology the breed came near extinction.
The breed first appeared in the United States in the late 1960’s in the early 1970’s there were 25 known Portuguese Water Dogs in the world. Because of dedicated breeders that increased to over 500 by 1981 in the United States. Portuguese Water Dogs came later to Canada and grew quickly in popularity from 35 dogs in 1992 to about 400 in 1998. In 1998 there were about 4500 PWD’s in the United States and Canada. This breed while not common, is no longer rare nor in danger of extinction.