The UK breed standard states:

Characteristics: Very intelligent and tremendously energetic ‘fisherman’s dog’ with great swimming and diving traits.

Temperament: Pleasant disposition, self-willed but very obedient to owner. Brave and tireless.

 

From the outset, it is important to note that PWD are not a breed suitable for everyone. Some breeders say they are not suitable as your first dog, others say they are not suitable if you have children under 5. We don't believe that is true. Yes they have their challenges, but, we believe that with the right training, feeding, exercise and mental stimulation PWD’s can be the perfect family dog capable of doing almost anything asked of them.

 

However, all potential owners need to know that Portuguese Water Dogs are strong-minded, with an independent streak so your consistent, strong, firm, loving & persistent leadership is a must. You will need the time, space and bucketloads of patience. 

 

Known for being a loyal, friendly and intelligent dog that likes nothing better than to please, they soon become valuable members of a household and like nothing more than to be involved in everything that goes on around them.

 

The PWD is tireless and, although keen to learn, they do have a very definite streak of obstinacy.  They are wilful and determined: traits that need to be controlled from a young age as, without consistent training and clear direction, they may become unruly. It is important to remember that training is essential and training of commands/tricks and training good manners are two different things. 

 

The PWD is the eternal optimist of the dog world and is always ready to join in activities, especially games and they definitely prefer company. They mix well with other breeds of dog and have a seemingly endless supply of energy, They are well suited to canine activities such as agility, showing,  and working (swimming) trials and are quite capable of obedience exercises to a very good standard. Some say PWD are likely to find obedience work at the elite levels a little stifling for their exuberant nature and they prefer more physical activities which allow them the freedom to express their personality. We have found them capable of anything you train them for. 

 

PWD will walk to heel on a lead, but it takes persistent training, without it they have a tendency to pull.

 

Portuguese Water Dogs are very excitable and a bouncy breed. This should be taken into consideration when having a puppy. This can be managed by teaching them impulse control. However, people that own the breed or are thinking about purchasing one, understand that this is a strong part of their character and are loved for it.

 

As well as being an excitable breed, Portuguese Water Dogs are natural retrievers. This instinct is strong so tugging and chewing tendencies can be very strong. They like to explore the world with their mouth, carrying things or picking up any object they desire. To help satisfy their mouthing / oral fixation, they need to be provided with appropriate training and plenty of toys.  It is important to remember that they will mouth (this is different to biting but if left untrained can lead to unwanted behaviours) and any children in the home need to be fully supervised & taught how to behave around a dog.

 

They love being around humans and may attach themselves to one. Separation anxiety is likely to develop in this breed if their physical & mental requirements are not met – they need at least 30 mins to 1 hour per day of vigorous activity. PWDs like to be in sight of their human, they often do not like to be left alone. However, we have found that with careful training  PWD’s can be left in outdoor runs during the day. Like all dogs, they need to learn that separation and time away from their humans is ok. 

 

Because they are so intelligent, Portuguese Water Dogs need to be given the right amount of daily mental stimulation, otherwise, a dog could develop some unwanted and destructive behavioral issues around the home. They need clear, positive and consistent training. They are quick to learn but do things in their own time. It is good to stick to a training method and be relentless. We would strongly recommend that all PWD are fully socialised and at least attend basic puppy training. Further training classes or Kennel Club Good Citizen classes are invaluable in developing good manners, obedience, tricks and an excellent bond with your PWD.  

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PWD have a multi-octave voice, because of this, their bark and other sounds they make are very distinctive. They may well ‘talk’ to their owners. This can be endearing but also challenging especially if they simply don't stop. 

 

PWD are renowned for jumping as a greeting and owners may need to limit this behaviour, especially if they have children or visitors. Some PWDs will stand upright at kitchen counters and tables, especially if they smell food above them. This habit is known as ‘counter surfing’ and is characteristic of the breed.

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They are a coated breed with a single layer of thick hair. This needs regular (daily) grooming otherwise it will matt in knots like felt and become painful. We can not stress enough that you must dedicate time to brush them. They do moult but far less than other breeds.

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PWD, like all dogs, produce allergens in the protein in their shed skin cells (called dander when attached to the shed hair), saliva and urine. No dog can ever truly be hypoallergenic and people will still react to PWD. They can only be considered to be a lower allergenic risk because they shed less. 

 

PWD love to have their bottoms scratched and will often reverse up to you to demand attention. 

 

PWD will find the weakest member of the family and will try to persuade the human to feed them from the table with a gentle nuzzle, pleading look or paw.

 

PWD can often lie across your feet while you are cooking or working, acting as the perfect footwarmer (or trip hazard!)

 

PWD will tolerate cats if brought up with them in the home but are likely to chase unfamiliar cats, squirrels, and birds. Some have a far higher prey drive than others and will chase birds & chickens. They have been known to catch and kill rabbits and even bring down deer. 

 

They are long-lived - with a life expectancy of up to 14 years.

 

Height at the withers:  Males 50 - 57 cm,    Females 43 - 52 cm

Average weight:          Males 19 - 25 kg,     Females 16 - 22 kg

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PWD can take longer to mature than many dog breeds,  2 to 3 years.  It is important to consider this when training your dog or exploring Neutering -  castration for dogs or spaying for bitches.

This is not a breed for everybody, being a coated dog (requiring high levels of grooming), with a lively outgoing character with a willful mind of its own. They are gentle & patient - but boredom can cause them to be destructive.

 

In the right hands with correct training, they become valued members of a family that will repay the time and love invested in them.