Portuguese Water Dog Breed Guide

Are you looking for a high-energy, fun-loving dog that’s easy to train and loves the water? Then a Portuguese Water Dog may be the dog you’re looking for.

There’s a lot to love — and learn — about Portuguese Water Dogs. We’ve developed this breed guide to give you a comprehensive overview of Portuguese Water Dogs and help you decide whether this breed is a good fit for you.

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What Is a Portuguese Water Dog? Overview and Breed History

Portuguese Water Dogs, also known as Porties, were bred to be an all-purpose helper for fishermen in Portugal. They assisted with numerous tasks, including herding fish, retrieving nets from the water, and transporting messages between boats.

Porties became increasingly popular in the 1970s in the United States. They were recognized as a distinct breed by the American Kennel Club in 1983 and have since become a popular family dog in the U.S.

Portuguese Water Dogs are made for the water. One of their most distinct features is webbed feet, making them strong swimmers. They have a robust and muscular build with a water-resistant double coat that is either curly or wavy. Coat colors are variable and include brown, tan, white, and black.

Male Portuguese Water Dogs are approximately 20 to 23 inches tall and weigh 42 to 60 pounds, while the females are about 17 to 21 inches tall and weigh 35 to 50 pounds.

Portuguese Water Dog Temperament and Ideal Home Fit

Portuguese Water Dogs have a personality that makes them easy to love. They are affectionate with family and get along well with children and other dogs. These dogs are also intelligent, loyal, highly sociable, playful, and eager to please.

Portuguese Water Dogs are very energetic and are well-suited to a family that has an active lifestyle (the closer to the water, the better!). Although Porties can do well around kids, their rambunctiousness can be too much for small children, possibly risking injury to the child.

As an outlet for their energy, Porties need plenty of daily physical activity. Ideal exercise activities for Porties include hiking and swimming, as well as agility training and flyball. Vigorous activity helps stave off boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior.

Portuguese Water Dogs are very protective of their families and will bark to scare off would-be intruders.

Portuguese Water Dog Care Tips

Portuguese Water Dogs have a coat that suits them well for being in the water. The top coat is tightly curled and water-resistant, while the undercoat is soft and dense.

The coat needs frequent brushing, ideally daily. A once-monthly coat trim will help prevent mats and tangles. Because Portuguese Water Dogs love to play in the water, it is essential to dry their ears after water play to avoid ear infections. Water play also necessitates regular baths to wash off chemicals or salt from pools.

Portuguese Water Dogs have earned the reputation of being hypoallergenic, but this is a misnomer. All dogs shed, even those that have short coats, so there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed. That being said, Portuguese Water Dogs are low shedders, meaning that there won’t be much pet dander floating in the air that can trigger an allergic reaction in those who suffer from allergies.

These dogs are eager to train but need consistent training with positive reinforcement to establish good behavior. It is best to begin training in the puppy stage, before bad habits become entrenched and hard to break.

Regarding diet, Portuguese Water Dogs should eat about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of food per day, divided into morning and evening meals. The food should have a label by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, indicating that it is nutritionally complete and balanced.

Being highly intelligent, Portuguese Water Dogs need daily mental enrichment to keep their minds engaged. Enrichment ideas include food puzzle toys and hide-and-seek with toys or treats around the house.

Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems and Insurance Costs

Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to several health problems, described below:

On average, Portuguese Water Dogs have a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. It is recommended to screen this breed for the genetic conditions listed above.

If you’re wondering whether Portuguese Water Dogs need pet insurance, the answer is yes! Pet insurance may help cover emergency vet costs throughout a dog’s lifespan. The average yearly insurance premium for Portuguese Water Dogs ranges widely, from about $30 to $100 per month.

However, pet insurance plans vary in their coverage. Some plans may not cover pre-existing conditions, such as genetic conditions like hip dysplasia. If you are considering pet insurance, contact the companies to find out which breed-specific conditions they cover and which ones they don’t.

Should You Adopt a Portuguese Water Dog?

Porties are wonderful dogs. They are intelligent, affectionate, athletic, and low shedding. However, they require frequent grooming and need a lot of daily physical and mental activity and enrichment. Additionally, training a Portie requires consistency, time, and patience – which may be difficult, depending on your lifestyle and other obligations.

If you are asking yourself, “Is a Portuguese Water Dog right for me?” you will need to seriously consider the pros and cons of owning this breed to answer that question.

Portuguese Water Dog Adoption Tips and What to Expect

If you have decided that a Portuguese Water Dog is the breed for you, you can adopt through rescue organizations, breed-specific organizations, and shelters.

The most well-known national rescue organization for this breed is the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Rescue, Inc. This organization has local networks of volunteers and provides medical care and temperament evaluations before adoption.

Other Portuguese Water Dog rescue organizations are regional. You can use the internet to find a Portuguese Water Dog adoption facility near you. It is less likely that you will find a Portuguese Water Dog available for adoption in a general animal shelter or rescue organization. You can even find Portuguese Water Dogs in your area right here on PetPlace!

Here are some questions to ask before adopting this breed:

Adopting a Portuguese Water Dog can cost anywhere from approximately $100 to $500 from a rescue or adoption center. This fee will cover basic costs like vaccination, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.

Purchasing from a breeder will be much more expensive. Not all breeders are ethical, though, so you will have to do your homework to select a professional Portuguese Water Dog breeder. Ethical breeders do not breed for profit and ensure that the dogs they breed are healthy and sound. They also readily provide breed documentation, conduct health screenings, and provide references.

How Much Does a Portuguese Water Dog Cost?

Adopting a Portuguese Water Dog costs much less than purchasing one from a breeder. While adoption costs a few hundred dollars, buying a Portie from a breeder can cost several thousand dollars.

Aside from the initial adoption or purchasing fees, there are numerous expenses to consider in the first year of owning a Portuguese Water Dog. These costs will vary depending on where you live, the exact cost of specific items, and whether the rescue organization provides some of these services. But generally, expect to pay at least $500 or more in that first year of ownership.

Below are examples of first-year expenses:

Here are some ongoing costs to consider, which can add up to a few hundred dollars per month:

There are also less frequent but potentially necessary costs to consider:

Is a Portuguese Water Dog Right for You?

To bring things together, Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dogs that love to play and be active with their families. They are low shedders but require frequent grooming to keep their coat and skin healthy. They also need a significant amount of mental stimulation to stay occupied and engaged.

If you have decided that a Portie is right for you, we encourage you to adopt through a rescue organization and educate yourself before bringing home a high-energy dog. We want to make sure you are prepared for the energy and rambunctiousness of a Portuguese Water Dog.

Interested in "Portuguese Water Dog adoption near me?" Browse our vast network of shelters and rescues to find the perfect pet today!