Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog likely shares ancestry with the Poodle, another water-retrieving breed. Originally, their ancestors were herding dogs from central Asia, introduced to Portugal either by the Visigoths in the fifth century or later by the Berbers and Moors in the eighth century. In Portugal, they thrived in various maritime roles: herding fish, retrieving lost nets, and serving as couriers between boats and shores.

Subsequently, these dogs became integral members of crews operating from Portugal to Iceland. Known locally as Cão de Água (pronounced Kown-d’Ahgwa), meaning "dog of water," they exist in two main coat types: the long-haired Cão de Água de Pelo Ondulado and the curly-coated Cão de Água de Pelo Encaracolado.

With the decline of traditional fishing practices in the early twentieth century, Portuguese fishermen and their dogs began to vanish from the coastal communities. The breed's survival owes much to Dr. Vasco Bensuade, a wealthy shipping magnate who championed the Portuguese Water Dog, ensuring its revival and continued popularity.

These delightful puffballs are happiest in active families with older children who are ready to join them on adventures in training and play. With younger kids, setting boundaries is key to their happiness. Portuguese Water Dogs thrive on activity and are always up for a family swim, run, or hike—they're your fluffy partners in fun!

To properly satisfy a Portuguese Water Dog, it's crucial to allow them ample time for free-running, exploration, and sniffing. These intelligent dogs also benefit greatly from regular interactions with their owners through games, interactive toys, and training sessions. Given their love for water, they're truly in their element in hydrotherapy pools or safe swimming spots—making them feel like they're in heaven!

Despite their small size, Portuguese Water Dogs are highly active and need ample outdoor space for running, preferably with access to water. They would thrive in a large fenced-in yard where they can freely explore and play.

Portuguese Water Dogs have two coat types: one with long, wavy hair, and the other with shorter, harsh hair featuring tighter curls. Both types require regular grooming. Many owners opt for professional clipping to maintain a shorter "puppy dog" trim.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a shining star in the world of canine intelligence, eager to learn and impress in every training session. Yet, like all bright minds, they possess a touch of independence and a quick boredom threshold. These buoyant bundles of joy thrive on reward-based training, especially when it comes to channeling their innate passion for water adventures. They're not just dogs—they're your spirited partners in making every training moment a splash of success!

Friendly and gentle, Portuguese Water Dogs make ideal companions for active families. With proper introductions, they happily get along with other animals.

The cost of a Portuguese Water Dog from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.