| Portuguese Water Dogs: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Portuguese Water Dog personality and behavior. |
|
|
My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Portuguese Water Dog, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard calls him "an animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue."
Emotionally the Portuguese Water Dog is stable and sensible. But physically he's lively and athletic, poised for any activity. He loves to play and needs vigorous exercise: long walks, occasional runs, and swimming whenever possible, for he is a master swimmer and diver.
Mental stimulation (agility, fetching, advanced obedience) is just as important to this clever, thinking breed.
When well socialized, his reaction to strangers varies from friendly to polite, but he should always remain steadfast and hold his ground. This observant breed makes a fine watchdog, but not a guardian.
Most Portuguese Water Dogs are accepting of other pets when raised with them.
PWDs are strong-minded, with an independent streak and a wicked sense of humor. Consistent leadership is a must.
A natural retriever, the Portuguese Water Dog is a very mouthy dog who will pick up everything in his path, chew up both edible and inedible objects, and try to gnaw on your hands. Provide a box filled with toys so he can satisfy his oral fixation by carrying something around in his mouth.
Youngsters are especially rambunctious, bore easily, and without enough attention and structured activity can excavate vast chasms in your yard."
History
Called Cao de Agua (dog of the water) in his native Portugal, the Portuguese Water Dog herded fish into the fishermen's nets, retrieved equipment that fell overboard, carried messages from ship to ship, and rode fishing boats out to sea.
Size
17-23 inches and 35-60 lbs |
|
Portuguese Water Dogs
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Porties, and placid Porties.
- Hard-headed Porties, and sweet-natured Porties.
- Serious Porties, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Porties, and Porties who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Portuguese Water Dog puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is medium-sized, strong and durable, athletic and agile
- Has a curly or wavy coat
- Sheds less than many other breeds, because shed hairs are trapped in the tousled coat
- Thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities.
- Makes a fine watchdog, but is too polite to be a guardian
- Is usually fine with other pets
A Portuguese Water Dog may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Regular brushing and clipping
- Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands
- A high price tag
- Serious health problems
A Portuguese Water Dog may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Portuguese Water Dog... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Portuguese Water Dogs MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Portuguese Water Dogs can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. |
- Bounciness. Young Portuguese Water Dogs (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend PWD puppies. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is too strong in many young Portuguese Water Dogs. |
- Mind of their own. Portuguese Water Dogs are not Golden Retrievers. The best PWDs are very smart and capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own. They can be manipulative and willful. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Grooming. Portuguese Water Dogs have a tousled coat that requires regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming. But don't expect your pet PWD to look like the show dogs you've seen in books or on TV. That particular look takes hours of work by experienced show groomers.
- Shedding. Contrary to what some breeders claim, the Portuguese Water Dog is NOT a good choice for people with allergies. They definitely shed, though some of the shed hair gets caught in the long coat rather than ending up on your floor. Thus, frequent brushing is essential not only for keeping the coat mat-free, but for removing shed hair.
- Paying the price. Though this breed is not rare, many breeders are charging $1000 and up.
- Health problems. Hip dysplasia, eye diseases, heart disease, skin conditions, immune system disorders -- Portuguese Water Dogs can be risky in the health department.
| If you're considering an adult Portuguese Water Dog... |
There are plenty of adult Portuguese Water Dogs who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
|
Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
|
