Breed Focus: Portuguese Water Dog

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The Portuguese water dog (PWD) shot to fame when Bo was adopted by the first family. They are a breed with a rich history of serving fisherman in Portugal. Part of the appeal of the PWD is that they are considered by many to be hypoallergenic. Without testing it is difficult to know if a specific dog is hypoallergenic but overall they do tend to shed less than many other dogs. People with mild allergies may find a good fit with this breed. They are also fairly sturdy and fun loving! Their intelligence and willingness to please endears them to many families as well. They also love to have a good time and can bring a smile to most people’s faces with their carefree antics.

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Their coat is waterproof and served them well when they worked on boats regularly. It will require regular trips to the groomer and maintenance at home. Consider also that this breed was bred for water sports and loves the water! You may find it difficult to keep them out of any type of water they come across.

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Overall PWDs tend to be very healthy. As with many of the larger breed dogs they should be monitored for signs of hip dysplasia. There are also several eye conditions that can be passed from generation to generation. Having both sets of parents screened for any of these conditions can help decrease the risk in their offspring.

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This breed will make a great fit for an active family, especially with an interested in advanced training. They are very intelligent and typically excel at agility, advanced obedience or any swimming sport. It is essential to remember PWDs will require regular exercise (along with their regular brushing). If these sounds like qualities that may fit in with your family you can find more information here and here.