Quick Facts:

Group classification: Unclassified

Country of origin: Australia

Date of origin: 1989

Weight (M):22-88 Pounds Height (M): 18-26 Inches

Weight (F): 22-88 Pounds Height (F): 14-23 Inches

Life expectancy: 13-15 Years

History

Some historians date this breed back to around 700 BC in areas around the Russian Chinese border. It is said that they helped shepherds to tend to their flocks. Another theory holds that the dogs came from Asia with the Goths. However, in 1927 a monk gave account of a sailor who was drowning and was saved by a dog that had the qualities of the Portuguese water dog. Despite all of the above theories, the true origin of the breed has however not been established to date.
General Description

The Portuguese water dog is a muscular hardy dog that has a medium sized body. Its coat is varied in appearance and may be wavy, flat or curly. This coat has a single layer and does not cause any allergic reactions. It comes in colors like brown black, white, gray or partly colored with markings. The body of a Portuguese water dog is just a little bit longer than its height with a level and flat topline. The brisket reaches the elbow and its chest is quite broad. It has a large, broad head with an enhanced stop occipit as well. The dog’s ears are heart shaped and droop of the side of the head but not beyond the jaw level. The eyes are normally dark in color and the teeth have a have a level or scissors bite. Webbed toes give this breed the ability to swim well.

Temperament

The Portuguese water dogs are very loving, lively and affectionate. The dogs have good interaction with young children and hardly have any problems with different pets; however they need to get accustomed to cats before they can get along well. Training these dogs is not difficult because they are quite intelligent. They are able to distinguish different tones of voices and decipher the mood of the person issuing it with instruction. Conditioning needs to be done from an early stage because the dog’s intelligence could make it want to have dominance over its owner. They love to please people and also like being the centre of attention. Portuguese water dogs can be described as chewers meaning that they can chew on things that they find hanging around. They should therefore be provided with special chewable toys that can keep them busy and away from other items.

Other Information

The Portuguese water dog was almost about to become extinct and it is not until the 1930’s that a Portuguese businessman known as Vasco Bensuade sought out the dog in a bid to start a breeding program. Bensuade named the Kennel Algarbiorum and the most famous dog there was known as Leao which is said to be the ancestor of almost half of all the pedigreed water dogs. Currently the most famous dog of this breed is probably one owned by the American first family and which is known as Bo. One of the main reasons that the dog was chosen is because of its hypoallergenic nature. The Portuguese water dog is a favorable family dog that serves as a good companion.
 

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