Portuguese Water Dog Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Start your Portuguese Water Dog off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early.
Jump down to this list of
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Portuguese Water Dog puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Portuguese Water Dog lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Portuguese Water Dog are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your PWD will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Portuguese Water Dog puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Portuguese Water Dog be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Portuguese Water Dog? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your PWD suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Portuguese Water Dog health problems
Cancer is the number one cause of death in Portuguese Water Dogs.
But currently the most critical issue is heart disease, specifically cardiomyopathy, which can cause sudden death in puppies at 2-7 months old. Other heart diseases also occur in the PWD, including pulmonic stenosis.
A serious endocrine system disease, Addison's disease, is so common in this breed that it should always be considered whenever your dog becomes lethargic or won't eat.
The most serious eye diseases are cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Fortunately, a simple DNA test is available for PRA in Portuguese Water Dogs, so you can find out at any time whether your dog has the disease, carries the disease, or is clear of it.
Other eye diseases in the breed are eyelash abnormalities and persistent pupillary membranes.
The most common "skin disease" is actually chronic allergies, which cause itchy skin and scratching that can break open the skin and lead to infections.
A hair loss disorder called follicular dysplasia can occur in curly-coated PWDs who had two curly-coated parents. (Yes, this breed can have either a curly or wavy coat.)
The primary orthopedic disease in Portuguese Water Dogs is hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 9100 Portuguese Water Dogs and found 13% dysplastic. That needs to be much better. Fortunately, elbow dysplasia occurs at a low 1-2% rate.
The gastrointestinal system is a weak area in the Portuguese Water Dog, with gastic diseases including colitis (inflammatory bowel disease and protein-losing enteropathy), and occasionally hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
Epilepsy is becoming a concern in the breed.
A severe neurological disease that can occur in the Portuguese Water Dog is called GM1 gangliosidosis. It used to be widespread in the breed, but is now controllable by testing for it before breeding.
Other health issues of concern in Portuguese Water dogs are hypothyroidism, megaesophagus, and kidney disease.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Portuguese Water Dog in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website
Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
Teach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.