Portuguese Water Dog
| Size at withers | 43–58 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 16–27 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–13 years |
| Size class | Small–Medium (10–25 kg) |
| Normal resting vitals | Heart rate 70–120 bpm · Respiration 15–30/min · Temperature 38.3–39.2 °C |
| Coat | Curly or wavy, low-shedding coat |
| Temperament | Athletic, biddable, water-loving; hypoallergenic-adjacent |
| Common health issues | Hip dysplasia; progressive retinal atrophy; storage disease (GM1 gangliosidosis); Addison's disease; juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy |
| Exercise needs | High — 60 min/day |
| Climate & housing suitability | Adaptable; coat maintenance is intensive. |
| Owner notes | Coat maintenance intensive. |
Origin and purpose
Working (AKC). Origin: Portugal.
Coat maintenance intensive.
What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the owner's job is to give it somewhere to go.
Temperament and training
Stated temperament: Athletic, biddable, water-loving; hypoallergenic-adjacent
This is a biddable breed that wants to work with you, which makes it forgiving of a novice's mistakes — but biddability is not the same as needing no training. Reward-based training, started early and kept short and frequent, is what these dogs thrive on. Punishment-based methods damage exactly the willingness that makes the breed easy.
Conditions this breed is predisposed to
Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease)
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Hip dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Health screening — what to test, and when
| Screen for | Test | When |
|---|---|---|
| Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Cardiac auscultation, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring | Annually from 2–3 years in predisposed breeds — DCM is silent until it is not |
| Hip dysplasia | Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring) | Once at 12–24 months; earlier if lame |
| Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) | Adrenal function blood tests (including electrolytes) | On vague, relapsing illness — Addison's is 'the great pretender' |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | Ophthalmologist eye examination, plus DNA test where one exists for the breed | DNA once; eye examination annually |
Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.
For breeders — test before you mate
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — Cardiac auscultation, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring
- Hip dysplasia — Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring)
- Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) — Adrenal function blood tests (including electrolytes)
- Progressive retinal atrophy — Ophthalmologist eye examination, plus DNA test where one exists for the breed
Feeding
The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.
Exercise and enrichment
Stated requirement: High — 60 min/day
A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.
Coat and grooming
Curly or wavy, low-shedding coat. Comb 3× weekly; clip every 6–8 weeks.
Climate and living conditions
Stated suitability: Adaptable; coat maintenance is intensive.
Ageing and senior care
Life expectancy: 11–13 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. Senior care →
Before you take one home
- Ask the breeder for the health-test results listed above — for BOTH parents, on paper, before you pay a deposit. A breeder who has done the tests will be proud to show you; one who deflects, or who tells you the tests are unnecessary in this line, is telling you what you need to know.
- Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.
