Buying or Adopting a Portuguese Water Dog

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Portuguese Water Dog the right breed for you?

Portuguese Water Dog Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Portuguese Water Dog?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
• No young children in the household (the breed is rambunctious)
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Portuguese Water Dog stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball, dock diving); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• Brushing – moderate
• Trimming/clipping – every few months
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Portuguese Water Dog to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior
• Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Portuguese Water Dog, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Portuguese Water Dog?

Portuguese Water Dogs are fairly common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Portuguese Water Dogs rank 51st.

Unfortunately, some of that popularity stems from people simply wanting the same breed as former President Obama. That's about as foolish a reason for choosing a breed as there could possibly be, and an awful lot of new owners found that out the hard way.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
You might find a Portuguese Water Dog available from a Dog Rescue group. PWDs may be turned over to Rescue because they need too much exercise or too much grooming, or because an allergic owner discovered that this breed is not hypoallergenic, no matter how loudly breeders may insist that it is.

Owners also give up their Portuguese Water Dog due to dominance issues, when it becomes apparent that the dog is too much for them to handle. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization that they are lacking. Other Portuguese Water Dogs are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Portuguese Water Dogs are rarely found here. PWD Rescue groups keep their eyes peeled on shelters and humane societies across the country. If a Portuguese Water Dog turns up at a shelter, the rescue group typically moves in quickly to take the dog.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Portuguese Water Dog from a show breeder, who breeds dogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You can also buy a Portuguese Water Dog from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Portuguese Water Dog puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips

Also, at least ONE PARENT of a Portuguese Water Dog puppy should have:

• a DNA test proving they are Normal/Clear of a severe hereditary eye disease called PRA.
• a DNA test proving they are Normal/Clear of a severe neuromuscular disease called GM1 gangliodosis.

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Portuguese Water Dog ends up blind and lame, or needs to be put to sleep at 7 months old due to gangliodosis.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I haven't seen a PWD in a pet shop, but it's certainly possible. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Portuguese Water Dog Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Portuguese Water Dog puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Portuguese Water Dog puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?