Portuguese Water Dog
Trait scores are tendency indicators from 0-100. Example: 42% alone tolerance roughly maps to around 4 hours alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs are athletic working dogs bred to assist fishermen. These intelligent, energetic dogs are friendly, trainable companions who need substantial exercise and love water activities, and their curly coats require extensive professional grooming every 6-8 weeks despite being low-shedding.
Verified source: American Kennel Club profile (2026-02-10)
Quick Facts
AKC VerifiedGroup
Working
Life Expectancy
11-13 years
Height
17-23 in
Weight
35-60 lb
Alone-Time Tolerance
About 5 hours
Exercise
60 min/day
AKC popularity rank: #45
Working context: Working breeds were built for jobs like guarding, pulling, and rescue. They are typically powerful and purpose-driven.
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (verified 2026-02-10)
Finding Your Portuguese Water Dog
🏠Consider Adoption First
Many wonderful Portuguese Water Dogs are waiting in shelters and breed-specific rescues. Adoption saves lives and gives deserving dogs a second chance.
Adoption Resources
Search for Portuguese Water Dogs in shelters and rescues near you.
Responsible Breeder Checklist
- Provides health clearances for both parents
- Allows you to visit the breeding facility
- Offers a written health guarantee / contract
- Provides references from previous buyers
- Asks you screening questions about your home
- Breeds only one or two breeds
Whether you adopt or buy from a breeder, always prioritize the dog's health and well-being. Avoid puppy mills and pet stores that source from irresponsible breeders. For Portuguese Water Dogs, ensure health testing for common breed-specific conditions.
Life Stage Simulator
Who This Breed Fits
Watch Out For
A Day in the Life
A purposeful walk and short training game helps this breed settle for the day.
Most do best with another activity block before winding down near their people.
Longer outings and enrichment games improve behavior and sleep quality through the week.
People often underestimate how quickly behavior slips when routine and enrichment are inconsistent.
Exercise & Activity
Expect about 60 minutes of daily activity, with a mix of walking, enrichment, and short training blocks. Consistency matters more than occasional intense sessions.
Very High
Very High
Mental Enrichment Ideas
Health
Long-term outcomes improve with weight control, preventive care, and condition-specific screening based on known breed risks.
Known Health Concerns
Large frame and growth rate can increase long-term joint strain.
Deep chest conformation raises emergency stomach-torsion risk.
Elbow malformation can lead to chronic lameness and arthritis.
Boarding complexity and cost are driven by size, exercise demand, and any special handling needs.
Behavior Reality Check
Good news! This breed typically has manageable behavior traits with proper training and socialization. Of course, individual dogs vary, but Portuguese Water Dogs generally don't present severe behavioral challenges.
Temperament & Traits
All traits rated on a 0-100 scale representing tendency scores.
Lifestyle & Activity
Very High
Very High
~6h alone capacity
High
Social & Compatibility
Very High
Very High
High
Moderate
High
Training & Behavior
Very High
Moderate
High
Moderate
Maintenance & Care
High
Low
Moderate
Low
Environment & Adaptability
Very Low
Moderate
Very High
Moderate
High
Grooming & Coat
High
Low
Moderate
Low
Coat care depends on coat type, but weekly brushing and routine nail, ear, and dental care are baseline requirements. Curly, silky, wire, and long coats usually need more frequent grooming support.
Shedding level varies by coat and season, but routine brushing keeps loose hair and skin debris manageable.
Common Barking Triggers
Lifestyle Planner
PROInteractive Cost Calculator
Adjust the options below to see how your choices affect ownership costs.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Annual Cost Summary
Estimates based on breed size, grooming needs, and health risk. Actual costs vary by location, individual dog health, and lifestyle choices. Emergency vet visits and unexpected health issues not included.
10-Year Cost Calculator
PRONeighborhood Compatibility
Breed History
Origin
The Portuguese Water Dog originated in Portugal.
Original Purpose
Portuguese Water Dog lines were developed for draft, guarding, and utility work. That working role still shows up today in temperament, stamina, and day-to-day needs.
Breed Group: Working. Working breeds were built for jobs like guarding, pulling, and rescue. They are typically powerful and purpose-driven.
In modern homes, this history matters because it predicts what helps the dog thrive: enough movement, clear structure, and outlets that match their original instincts.
Fun Facts
Portuguese Water Dogs were developed by Portuguese fishermen to herd fish into nets and retrieve items from water—they're basically aquatic herding dogs.
The breed became famous when President Barack Obama adopted two Portuguese Water Dogs while in office, causing a surge in popularity.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a water-resistant double coat with partially webbed feet, making them exceptional swimmers.
The breed nearly went extinct after WWI and WWII when fishing traditions changed, and modern Portuguese Water Dogs descend from dogs found in fishing villages.
Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), requiring health screening.
Famous Portuguese Water Dog Dogs
Service and rescue icons
Public recognition often comes from rescue, guarding, drafting, and assistance work.
Expedition and duty dogs
Historically, many notable dogs in this group are tied to demanding real-world jobs.
Practical Next Steps
First-Month Supplies Checklist
Breeder Red Flags
Preparation Timeline
Week Before
Purchase all supplies, puppy-proof your home, choose a veterinarian, and set up training schedule.
Day 1
Gentle introduction to home, establish crate/bed location, first bathroom break routine, quiet time to adjust.
Week 1
Vet checkup, start basic training, establish feeding routine, begin socialization carefully.
Month 1
Start formal training classes - this breed excels with early training! Regular vet visits for vaccinations, establish grooming routine.
Training Priorities for Portuguese Water Dogs
- • Gradual alone-time training (high separation anxiety risk)
- • Channel high energy into structured exercise and activities
Recommended Products
Training Programs
Structured training helps this breed reach its potential and prevents behavior issues.
Explore Programs →Is Portuguese Water Dog right for you?
Use our breed matcher to see how Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds based on your lifestyle.
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Quick facts for Portuguese Water Dog are cross-checked against publicly available American Kennel Club breed pages.
AKC source: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/portuguese-water-dog/ (verified 2026-02-10)
AKC sync coverage: 188/188 non-mix breeds as of February 10, 2026.
Last updated: February 10, 2026
Sources: American Kennel Club (AKC) breed profiles, Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) breed standards, United Kennel Club (UKC) breed standards, Merck Veterinary Manual (canine health references), Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screening guidance, AKC: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/portuguese-water-dog/