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Portuguese Water Dog

Description:

Named for its great love of water, the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium sized dog of robust build. The head is large, with a noticeably wide top skull, well defined stop, and high set, heart shaped ears. Eyes are nearly round, medium sized and wide set. The muzzle tapers slightly toward the nose and houses powerfully developed teeth that meet in a level or scissors bite. The body is strong all around, with a level topline and deep chest. The long, tapering tail is carried in a high ring when the dog is at attention. Feet are round and flat with webbed toes. The single coat is thick and profuse, either curly or wavy. Coloration is black, white, brown, or black or brown with white.  

Temperament:

The Portuguese Water Dog is a highly intelligent and biddable friend, always striving to serve his master. This is a highly playful and fun loving breed, and enjoys all manner of games, especially with children. The Portuguese Water Dog is friendly, sociable and confident with other dogs and strangers, and displays heart warming kindness to smaller pets. Many PWD owners are surprised at the quick and lasting friendships these dogs forge with the family cat. Portuguese Water Dogs thrive on an active environment and their family’s constant approval and satisfaction. 

Caring for a Portuguese Water Dog:

The Portuguese Water Dog needs at least forty five minutes a day of vigorous exercise, or it can become a destructive “chew monster.” Long walks, jogs, or games in the park will keep this dog happy, and any opportunity to show off its swimming prowess will make it ecstatic. The Portuguese Water Dog does not do well when separated from its people even for a short time, and should always be allowed to sleep inside with the family. Coat care is extensive, and involves daily combing as well as monthly scissoring or clipping. The Portuguese Water Dog’s primary health concern is progressive retinal atrophy; other health concerns of note include GM1 storage disease, Addison’s, cardiomyopathy, distichiasis and hair loss.