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."