About PWDs

"The Portuguese water dog is not yet common in the United States, although it is steadily rising in popularity especially since the Obama's obtained a dog for their daughters. The current "first dog" in the White House is a Portuguese water dog named "Bo".

As the name implies, the breed hails from Portugal where it is a much loved and hard working companion of fishermen. Portuguese water dogs are medium sized, strong swimmers and active energetic family pets....

Appearance

The Portuguese water dog is a medium sized dog with either a longhaired coat or curly coat. Common coat colors include black, white, various tones of brown or combinations of these colors. The hair coat infrequently sheds and is water-resistant. The feet are webbed, which explains their strength as swimmers. 

Size

The Portuguese water dog stands 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 42 to 60 pounds.

Personality

Friendly and very active, the Portuguese water dog makes an excellent pet for an active family, especially those who enjoy water sports or outdoor activities....


Training

The Portuguese water dog is an intelligent and obedient dog that  should be rainined.  Training should begin early in their life. Without training, their natural protective and guard dog instincts may become a problem.

Special Care

The Portuguese water dog is not a good choice for people looking for a "couch potato" dog. This is an active and energetic dog that craves exercise. They seem to have boundless energy and may develop behavioral problems if not kept active. Early socialization is critical to prevent their natural guard dog tendencies. The long hair coat requires frequent grooming to prevent mats or tangles.

Common Diseases and Disorders

The Portuguese water dog is a relatively healthy dog with few health concerns. Some diseases that have been reported in this breed include:

Progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative disease of the eyes that slowly results in blindness.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joints and can result in pain, limping and arthritis.

Alopecia is a disorder of hair loss.

In addition, Portuguese water dogs are prone to ear infections or swimmer's ears if they tend to swim a lot. Make sure their ears are thoroughly dried after each swim.

The average life span of the Portuguese water dog is 10 to 12 years.


We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only."

above article from http://www.petplace.com/dog-breeds/Portuguese-Water-Dog.aspx

Marilyn Rimmer (Questar)  Comments on Personality:

Portuguese Water Dogs are very friendly and active. This breed are companion dogs, which means they always want be with you. They do not do well being outside dogs.  Marilyn Rimmer states, "If I go to the bathroom, these dogs are either by the door trying to get in to be with me, or in the bathroom with me."