Description
Tight, low-shedding curls cover the substantial, medium-sized body. PWDs are energetic, active pets that were created for water work. The Portuguese Water Dog is exceptionally intelligent, ‘biddable,’ or eager to please, and exceedingly ‘biddable’. The PWD can be groomed in one of two ways: the retriever clip, where the coat is completely shaved off, leaving the tail tip at its full length; or the more check-me-out lion clip, where the coat is only on the hindquarters and the muzzle is shaved down to the skin.
Origin/History
The oldest recorded written mention of the Portuguese water dog was in a monk’s account from 1297, making this breed an incredibly old one. A different ancient breed, the poodle, is closely related to porties. It is believed that modern Portuguese water dogs and poodles descended from the same gene pool, with different historical trajectories dividing the breeds in terms of temperament, look, and personality.
Portuguese water dogs developed a deep bond with humans early on because of their propensity for living by the sea. They swam between boats with Portuguese fisherman, helping them retrieve lost gear and herd fish into nets. Leo, a dog acquired in the 1930s by rich Portuguese businessman Vasco Bensaude, is regarded as the “founding sire” of contemporary Portuguese water dogs. It’s estimated that Leo is the common ancestor of more than half of all Portuguese water dogs.
With the founding of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America in the early 1970s, Porties gained popularity in the United States. The dogs are loved today mostly for their friendliness as companions and their show-worthy features, even if they are still known for loving water.
Temperament
The gentle and affectionate Portuguese Water Dog is a breed that enjoys playing and acting silly to catch your eye. Because of their high intelligence and potential to outsmart you, owners must exercise caution. These dogs’ general temperaments will differ depending on the individual. Because of their intelligence, they can pick up new skills and training rapidly. The greatest technique to train them is through positive reinforcement rather than continuous repetition of the same task. This breed is renowned for excelling in agility, obedience, water work, and tracking. They are adept at learning and performing tricks and make good therapy dogs. The only potential problem with Portuguese Water Dogs with kids is that they can be scary due to their high levels of energy.
Care
The Portuguese water dog can make a wonderful companion, but potential owners should be aware of its maintenance requirements. Despite the fact that these dogs demand a lot of activity and grooming, they are typically intelligent, easily trained, and eager to please.
Exercise
Working dogs with high levels of energy, porties need frequent exercise to prevent boredom. Portuguese water dogs thrive in training-based pursuits including agility, nose work, dock diving, therapy work, and obedience in addition to frequent walks and plenty of swims when feasible. Portuguese water dogs should get about an hour of exercise per day, along with fun and brain-stimulating activities, to maintain them intellectually and physically healthy.
Grooming
Despite having a low shedding tendency, the Portuguese Water Dog nonetheless requires frequent—and frequently intensive—grooming. To prevent their fur from becoming matted or knotted, porties should be brushed two to three times per week and had their nails cut once per month. In order to avoid infection or inflammation brought on by salt or chemicals in pools, special care should be given to make sure Portuguese water dogs’ skin, coats, and ears are clean. Like other breeds, it’s crucial to frequently brush your dog’s teeth and trim its nails in order to prevent dental illness.
Training
Most Portuguese Water Dogs enjoy learning and rapidly pick up new skills when positive reinforcement is used during training. Starting basic obedience training as early as eight weeks of age is possible. Training Porties is a terrific method to strengthen their relationship with their owners and it can help to prevent boredom-related behavioral issues like disruptive behavior around the house. Portuguese water dogs are excellent therapy and service dogs and frequently perform well in dog sports competitions since they are such quick learners.
If you’re interested in starting therapy dog training with your Portie, you need consider the distinct personality features of your dog. To make sure the dog is appropriate and proficiently trained for the position, work closely with a recognized therapy dog training organization.
Diet and Nutrition
Portuguese water dogs thrive on a high-protein, premium diet tailored to meet their unique requirements. Many Porties may require a larger calorie diet than other dogs because to their high levels of activity, but the precise caloric requirements should be determined after consultations between owners and their vets.
Instead of keeping food out for roaming, feed this breed twice a day help to develop a pattern of overeating. Your dog may be more susceptible to health issues like hip dysplasia if it gains weight. Consult your veterinarian to develop a balanced feeding plan depending on the age, weight, and level of activity of your dog.
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