So-named because it once worked as part of a fishing crew, the Portuguese Water Dog is now a sought-after breed because it’s cute, it’s fluffy and it’s every bit adorable. There are a few traits that you just won’t find in the majority of other breeds, and when you combine this with it’s loyal and playful nature and it’s thick and curly coat, it’s easy to see why the Portuguese Water Dog is becoming a sought-after breed.
- Name(s): Portie, Portuguese Water Dog, PWD, Dog of the Water, Cao de Agua.
- Average Life Span: Around 12 Years
- Average Weight: 45 to 50 Pounds
- Average Height: 1 Foot, 7 Inches
Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dogs love the water, which is a trait you don’t always get with our four-legged friends. They are never happier than when they are at the beach, wading in a pool or just sprinting through the sprinklers on your lawn. It’s a great way for them to cool off and it also gets them doing the thing they were bred to do.
These dogs used to be taken on long fighting trips, where they would keep the crew company and help them with a number of tasks. They could detangle nets, sort gear and even herd fish. They have webbed feet, a good tolerance of hot and cold weather, and good all-round health.
Portuguese Water Dog Training
The Portuguese Water Dog is a great dog to train. It is willing to try anything. It is a bundle of joy, excitement and enthusiasm and it is highly susceptible to training. You can train your Portuguese Water Dog to do tricks or you can just train it to be more obedient and discipled, which is useful if you live in an apartment (check our Quiet Dog Breeds if so), you want to take it for walks without a lead, or you live with other pets (cats included) or children.
Of course, you still need to put the energy and the effort into that training.
Portuguese Water Dog Shedding
“Portie” dogs, as they are known, are prized for being hypoallergenic, just like poodles are. But a hypoallergenic dog doesn’t exist. All dogs shed, it’s just that some do it a lot more than others and some shed so little that you don’t really notice it. Such is the case with the Portuguese Water Dog.
It’s worth noting, however, that the shedding amount will vary from one dog to the next.
Portuguese Water Dog Temperament
As mentioned above, the Portie has a brilliant temperament and can be the perfect companion if you are willing to put the hours in. You just need to make sure that they get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, and preferably as much as an hour or two. They need to be stimulated mentally as well as physically, and they should also be given access to water every now and then.
The Portuguese Water Dog is often great with children, but it can be very difficult to groom because its fur is not easy to work with. On the plus side, it’s not unseal for this breed to actually enjoy a trip to the grooming parlor, where they will enjoy the attention they get from the staff as they get pampered.
Where to Find a Portuguese Water Dog for Sale
You should never buy a Portuguese Water Dog puppy, or any dog for that matter, from a puppy mill or even from a pet store. The dog should not be in a cage when you go to look at it. It should not be cowering in a dirty and unkempt environment. It should not be cold, shivering and scared.
These are typically very happy and healthy dogs and while some nerves are common, anything that is extreme should be a warning that the dog has not been cared for and that you’re not buying from a reputable dealer. Always look to buy from individuals, animal-loving dog owners like yourself. You can find these in classifieds and on sites like PuppyFind.
These sites still have their fair share of breeders that mistreat and only care about profit, but if you remain diligent then you can avoid these.
Portuguese Water Dog Rescue
These dogs can end up in shelters because they can become to much for their owners to handle. They are very playful and energetic, and if they don’t have an outlet for that energy then they can become destructive. Still, it’s rare to find Portuguese Water Dogs in rescue shelters because of the high price that they usually sell for (discussed below).
In other words, unless the owner has discovered it is not a pure breed, the dog is a runaway or the owner has passed away, then it’s unlikely that one of these dogs will end up in a dog shelter.
Portuguese Water Dog Puppies
These puppies are incredibly cute, which means it’s very easy to fall in love with them from the outset. The poodle-ish aesthetic and the playful nature has made them a puppy of choice for kids everywhere (see Best Dogs for Kids), but remember that they will grow up, they do need proper care and attention, and they will need exercise. Don’t buy a puppy for you child on the basis that it’s cute. They can’t keep it in their bedroom all day like a teddybear and they will need to put up with its playfulness and its neediness all day everyday.
Portuguese Water Dog Price
So, how much does a Portuguese Water Dog cost? Well, these are expensive dogs and you will struggle to find a Portie dog priced at less than $2,500. Some of them go for in excess of $4,000. If you want a pure breed PWD then you need to be prepared to pay for it. You may be able to get a reduced price if you are buying from an individual whose goal is not to make a profit and is just to find a good home, but with pure breeds like this such owners are very rare.
You don’t get accidental dog pregnancies and puppy litters with pure breeds. Somewhere down the line someone has thought about the potential profit involved and they have probably spent the pregnancy and those early weeks following the birth thinking about how much they can make. So, get your wallet out if you want one of these bundles of joy for yourself.