General description:  Medium sized working breed originating in Portugal.  They are loyal to their fishermen who they worked along side on the boats to retrieve messages from boat to boat and boat to shore. They worked underwater to detangle the fishing nets all around they were the fisherman’s assistants. The Portuguese Water Dog is robust and does well in homes where they can receive plenty of attention and exercise both mental and physical.

Temperament: The Portuguese Water Dog is a loyal, affectionate, energetic, intelligent family companion and watch dog and it thrives on and demands human attention. PWDs when raised and socialized properly, are excellent with children and can adapt well to living with other pets.  They should never be aggressive and not overly shy. They are loyal, affectionate and energetic.

Height: Males 19.5-22.5″ Females 16.5-20.5″

Weight: Males 42-60lb Females 35-50lbs

Colour:  Black or Brown, solid or with various amounts of white.

Coat:  The coat can be curly or wavy. The coat should be clipped in either of the two acceptable clips. In the Retriever Clip, the entire coat is scissored or clipped to a length of one inch in appearance except at the end of the tail, which is left long. In the Lion Clip, which is the traditional clip of Portugal, the hindquarters as well as the muzzle are clipped short, the end of the tail is left long and the coat on the head, neck, forequarters and chest is left long to resemble a lion’s mane.

Feeding: Good quality kibble.

Activity level: Robust and tireless, they can work all day in or out of the water. They should be kept busy both physically and mentally.  Obedience classes are a must. Highly trainable and intelligent.  Excellent swimmers who are ideal cottage companions. Daily doses of exercise are a must or the PWD will provide its own exuberant exercise indoors. Portuguese Water Dogs require an owner as active, involved and intelligent as they are or they will soon be running the household and getting into mischief.