Description:

The Portuguese Water Dog thrives on human interaction and attention, so giving a lot of love is a necessity for anyone that owns one. An outstanding pet for a family, as this breed behaves well in the company of children and other dogs. Sociable breeds, which are constantly on the lookout for games and fun.

Portuguese Water Dogs originate from Portugal as its name indicates. A focused and hard-working water dog, its ancestors are believed to have Poodle in the bloodline (this is evident from its appearance). On its native grounds, this breed is called 'Cao de Agua', translating to 'Water Dog'. Two varieties are breed: curly coated and long-haired.

History of the Portuguese Water Dog:

It is known that ancestors of PWD's were herding dogs and dominated the central Asian steppes. And its believed the arrival of Portuguese Water Dogs in Portugal came from either the Visigoths in the 5th century or the Berbers and Moors in the 8th century.

Once established in Portugal the breeds function as a water dog was soon recognized. Able to serve as couriers or retrievers for fisherman, with a ability to swim after equipment, such as nets to bring them in, or to work with trawler crews.

Later as new technologies advanced in the early 20th century, a lot of the old fashioned ways of work duties started to cease to exist. This was apparent with the Portuguese Water Dog. Without the duties of work, this breed at one point become almost extinct, until the intervention of Dr. Bensuade.

Dr Vasco Bensuade, a prospering shipping magnate, was enthusiastic about this breed and promoted it heavily in various regions of the world. With the breed club reorganized, the Portuguese Water Dog was soon seen in dog shows. Arrival in the U.S. wasn't until the 1950's, and gaining recognition by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1984.

Portuguese Water Dog Temperament:

Lively and energetic breeds, with what seems to be an endless supply of energy to play, run, retrieve, and swim. A daily exercise routine is therefore a must to keep a Portuguese Water Dog content. Being able to provide an active lifestyle is essential as this breed isn't content to sit still for long periods, without having a run or play outside.

And for its grooming duties, expect a thorough brush every other day to be necessary, with a professional clipping session once a month.

Health Information:

Major health concerns with this breed include PRA. Other health issues seen include Juvenile Cardiomyopathy, Distichiasis, Addison's, CHD, GM1 Storage Disease, and Hair Loss. Vets recommend that a Portuguese Water Dog is tested for Hip and Eye problems, and DNA for GM1.

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