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Portuguese Water Dog Puppies for Sale
Portuguese Water Dog
(Cao de agua) (Cão
de agua Português)
This handsome dog is named Boomer
Photo Courtesy of Boomer & Rocky Two Portuguese Water dogs
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Pronunciation |
Portuguese
Water Dog |
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Description |
The Portuguese Water Dog
is a hardy, muscular, medium-sized dog. The coat varies from flat, wavy, shiny
type to a thick, open curl, to a tight curl. Two coat clips are used: One clip
with the face and rear shaved, and the working retriever or pet clip where the
dog is scissored so the coat appears to be about an inch long all over. The
single-layered, non-shedding, virtually hypo-allergenic coat comes in black,
white or brown, parti-color (white with dark spots), black or brown with white
markings, or even silver fox or gray. The body is slightly longer than it is
tall; solid and sturdy. The topline should be straight and level. The brisket
should reach the elbows, and chest should be broad. The head is large and broad
on top with a pronounced stop occiput. The top of the skull should appear
rounded. The heart-shaped ears hang down beside the head, but should not hang
beyond the lower jaw. The eyes are dark and the teeth meet in a scissors or
level bite. The tail starts out thick near the body, then tapers. The legs are
very straight, strong and parallel. It has more webbing between the toes than
many other breeds, which aids in swimming. |
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Temperament |
The Portuguese Water Dog
is a water-loving, lively but sensible, and loyal dog. Affectionate and fun to
be around. It is excellent with children and usually gets along with other dogs
and pets without any problems. They need to get to know cats so that the company
of them will also cause no problems. It has a stable, pleasant temperament.
Brave, highly intelligent and trainable; keen to work and quick to learn and
understand instructions. Training these dogs is not difficult if you understand
the dog's character. They are very sensitive to the tone of your voice.
Alternate training and play, and bear in mind that this extremely intelligent
dog will take liberties if you think you can just fit a bit of training in
when it suits you. Make sure you are consistent. This breed may out-think
its owner! Generally willing to please, this is an obedient dog. Spirited, with
great stamina, yet calm. Portuguese Water Dogs have a super sense of humor and
love to be in the spotlight of attention. They make good watchdogs. Dominance,
barking, and indoor activity level varies greatly with the individual. They have
a very good sense of smell. Suitable for agility skills trials and numerous
other dog sports. Portuguese Water Dog puppies are notorious chewers. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 20-22 inches
(50-57 cm.) Bitches 17-20 inches (43-52 cm.)
Weight: Dogs 42-55 pounds (19-25 kg.) Bitches 35-49 pounds (16-22 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Some lines are prone to
hip dysplasia and PRA. Breeding stock should be tested for GM-1 Storage Disease,
a fatal nerve disease that appears when a puppy is six months old. |
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Living Conditions |
The Portuguese Water Dog
will be okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately
active indoors and a small yard will be sufficient. It can live outdoors in
temperate climates, but would be much happier living close to its family and
spending days in the yard. |
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Exercise |
The Portuguese Water Dog
is an active dog with great stamina. It needs daily physical and mental
exercise, which includes a daily, long, brisk
walk or jog. This breed loves to swim and there is nothing they would love more
than if you threw a stick or ball in water for it to retrieve. It will also
enjoy a vigorous romp. They make excellent jogging
companions. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10-14 years. |
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Grooming |
The Portuguese Water dog
should be brushed and combed regularly. The wavy-coated variety is usually
closely clipped at the hindquarters and on the nose but the curly-coated dogs
generally have a working retriever clip, especially in the United States, so
that only the tail is close-clipped. This breed is good for allergic persons as
the coat sheds little to no hair and is virtually hypo-allergenic. The coat
grows more slowly than that of a poodle and does not require a frequent
scissoring or clipping. |
| Origin |
Developed from working
dogs brought by invaders and settlers to the Iberian Peninsula, the Portuguese
Water Dog has aided Portuguese fisherman for many centuries. He herded and
caught fish, carried messages between ships, retrieved anything that fell
overboard, and guarded the catch and boats when in port. The dogs were valuable
enough to be considered part of the crew and were given their share of both the
fish and the money earned for the catch. Retired fisherman would often rent out
their dogs to bring in some extra money. Gradually technology replaced the
Portuguese Water Dog. Radios sent messages and winches pulled the nets. By the
1930's the breed was almost gone. Luckily, a wealthy shipping tycoon, Vasco
Bensaude, took an interest in the Portuguese Water Dog and set out to gather
fine specimens and start a breeding program. United States interest in the
Portuguese Water Dog began in 1958 with the importation of the first pair. The
Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was formed in 1972 and the breed was
accepted for AKC registration in the early 1980's. In the United States, the
highly intelligent Portuguese Water Dog is primarily a companion dog, but also
excels at water trials, obedience, agility, and as a therapy dog and assistance
dog. |
| Group |
Gun Dog, AKC Working |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB,
CKC, NKC, NZKC, PWDCAI, APRI, ACR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
PWDCAI = The
Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc.
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
Portuguese Water Dog Shirts!
The Portuguese water dog loves to swim.
Boomer by the pool.
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Boomer & Rocky |
The Portuguese water dog is
highly trainable. This is Rocky
showing off his stuff! |
,
Boomer wants a hug!
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This is Amalie of Dream Wheel Kennels, but she is called Diddl after the German Comic mouse
Portuguese Water Dog
Pictures Page 1
Hunting Dogs
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