Portuguese Water Dog
A fisherman's crewmate in a wetsuit of curls — happiest halfway into the water.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 43–57 cm |
| Weight | 16–27 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–13 years |
| Energy | High — 60+ min/day |
| Shedding | Minimal — coat grows continually |
| Coat | Curly or wavy single coat · black, brown, white |
| Group | Working · FCI №37 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred to work all day beside Algarve fishermen — retrieving lost tackle, herding fish, swimming messages boat to boat — the PWD is tireless, clever and profoundly people-oriented. At home that means a quick, willing student who wants a job and your company in equal measure, and sulks handsomely when short of either.
Habits & quirks
The counter-surfing dive
A retrieving mouth plus athletic hindquarters — nothing on a worktop is truly safe.
Velcro with curls
It follows you room to room; solitude is simply not in the job description.
Any water will do
Sea, lake, paddling pool, suspicious puddle — if it's wet, the dog is in it.
The expressive paw
PWDs famously use their paws to ask, insist and negotiate.
Care
| Grooming | Clip every six to eight weeks and comb through weekly — the coat grows like human hair and mats if ignored. |
| Exercise | An hour or more daily, with swimming and retrieving the gold standard. |
| Training | Bright and eager — channel it early into obedience, water work or agility before it invents its own projects. |
| Health | Choose breeders who test for hip dysplasia, PRA and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. |
Common questions
Are Portuguese Water Dogs hypoallergenic?
No dog truly is, but their low-shedding single coat bothers many allergy sufferers less. Spend time with the breed before committing.
Do Portuguese Water Dogs need to swim?
They don't strictly need it, but they love it deeply and it's their ideal exercise. Land-based running and retrieving can substitute.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs good family dogs?
Excellent ones for active households — affectionate, playful and patient. They struggle in homes where they're often left alone or under-exercised.