Portuguese Water Dog Breed Information

Portuguese Water Dog Breed Information

Learn all about Portuguese Water Dog dogs, read about the Portuguese Water Dog breed information, find out about the Portuguese Water Dog Breed Standard, Portuguese Water Dog behavior and more.

Portuguese Water Dog Breed Introduction

The Portuguese Water Dog breed has a unique history: these dogs were not bred to hunt, or herd, or guard, or pull sleds, but to help fishermen in the water. The breed nearly became extinct, and still one of the rarer breeds. Portuguese Water Dogs are today known as very companionable dogs.

The Portuguese Water Dog's Behavior

Source: Wikipedia.

Recommended for: pet, working dog

The Portuguese Water Dog breed is an active, loyal, friendly dog breed. Portuguese Water Dogs are known as attention seekers who may follow you around constantly. If bored, they have a tendency to chew on things.

Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

The Portuguese Water Dog's Physical Characteristics

Here are some of the characteristics of the Portuguese Water Dog breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

• Size: Males: 20-23 inches, 42-60 pounds; females: 17-21 inches, 35-50 pounds
• Coat: thick, covering the whole body evenly, except around the groin; no undercoat or mane; curly or wavy
• Color: black, white, brown, or combinations
• Eyes: medium-sized, set well apart, rounded, black or brown
• Ears: well above the eyeline, tips not going down below the lower jaw
• Muzzle: wider at the base than at the nose
• Nose: broad with flared nostrils, black or brown
• Tail: thick at the base and tapered

The Portuguese Water Dog's Origins and History

Source: Wikipedia.

Country/Region of Origin: Portugal

Original purpose: assisting fishermen

Name: bred in Portugal to help fishermen on the water; also called Cão de água Português; nicknames: Portie, PWD.

Historical notes: The Portuguese Water dog was originally used by Portuguese fisherman in the 1500s to send messages between boat, retrieve fish and things in the water, to guard the boats, help bring in nets, and save drowning fishermen. After modern fishing equipment became available the breed nearly went extinct, and there were at one point only 25 Portuguese Water Dogs in the world. Today there are thousands around the world.

Click Here To Find Portuguese Water Dog Breeders