GROUP: Utility    SIZE: Medium    ORIGIN: Portugal

The Portuguese Water Dog is a well balanced robust breed renowned for his great swimming and diving abilities. His highly energetic nature guarantees an interest in all that is about him.

ORIGIN
Although he has a similar coat to the poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog is definitely a separate breed.

In Portuguese his name translates as Cao d’Agua, He is a very old breed and common in seaports along the Portuguese and Spanish coastlines.

Once a hunter, the Portuguese Water Dog is now used almost exclusively by fishermen to retrieve nets and tackle lost overboard as well as guard boats.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Portuguese Water Dog has a large, well proportioned head with skull slightly longer than the muzzle. His forehead has a central furrow for two-thirds the length of the head. The medium round dark eyes are well set apart and his heart shaped drop ears are thin and are held close to the head.

Portuguese have straight, strong boned and well muscled forequarters and hindquarters. Portuguese take lively short steps when walking, possess a light trot and are capable of an energetic gallop.

The coat is always profuse, covering the whole body except under the forelegs and thighs. There are two distinct types — one has fairly long, loosely waved hair and well feathered ears and the other has short, fairly harsh and dense compact curls.

Colours are black, white, various shades of brown, black and white and brown and white.

SIZE
Dogs 50 to 57cm, weighing 19 — 25kg. Bitches 43 to 52cm and weighing 16 to 22kg.

TEMPERAMENT
Portuguese have a pleasant nature. Although they are self-willed they are an obedient breed if trained from an early age.

They are good tempered with people and love to show off their swimming and diving skills.

CARE AND GROOMING
Only the hindquarters and tail of the Portuguese Water Dog are clipped, with the plume left at the tip of the tail. The head, body and front need regular brushing.

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