Portuguese Water Dogs (PWDs) were an essential element of fishermen’s crews along Portugal’s coastal waters. PWDs served to herd fish into nets, retrieve objects from underwater and carry messages between boats or ships and shore.

PWDs make great family companions, boasting affection and intelligence in equal measures. Their eagerness to please makes training enjoyable and they thrive under stress-free environments.
History

For centuries along Portugal’s seacoast, dogs aided fishermen by herding fish into nets, retrieving broken nets and lost tackle, acting as aquatic couriers between ships or boats and acting as valued members of their master’s crew – they received equal food as the men in addition to receiving one-fourth share of any catch!

American Kennel Club recognized and registered them for registration in its working group since 1984, when their popularity began steadily growing. Their affectionate, loyal nature makes them great family pets or companions; however, this approachable temperament may lead to undesirable behaviors like counter surfing and jumping up on people.

As with any breed, PWDs require regular physical and mental exercise in order to remain contented and healthy. Their highly intelligent natures make them eager learners and they respond well to obedience training; young PWDs should especially be trained on leash walking without excessive barking or chewing behavior.

PWDs can be wonderful companions around children and are frequently used by owners as child-restraint devices or therapy dogs. Furthermore, these water-loving pups enjoy swimming and spending time in or on the water.

PWDs have the reputation for counter surfing, so it’s imperative that they are socialized properly as puppies to ensure their wellbeing and safety. Basic commands such as sit, stay, down, come, and heel must also be taught early and often to establish trust between both parties involved.

As an organization, the AKC has provided support to PWDs and their breeders through research into illnesses that are prevalent among PWDs, such as hip dysplasia and Addison’s disease. Furthermore, nine breed committees were formed by AKC to address other health concerns like autoimmune diseases and eye conditions.
Characteristics

Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent, easy-to-train dogs with an independent spirit and natural confidence. Highly social creatures who enjoy joining family activities, Portuguese Water Dogs tend to get along well with children, other pets, and can form tight bonds with one human member of the household in particular. Although this breed can sometimes become boisterous when excercising or playing together with family, providing ample physical exercise opportunities will keep this affectionate breed busy and ensure happiness!

Active, athletic dogs thrive outdoors and thrive when part of an active family unit; swimming, running and hiking canine sports like obedience and agility training are favorite pastimes for them. When left to their own devices they quickly become bored with repetitive activities.

As their names imply, these pups are master paddlers and powerful swimmers. Their long, thickly-based tails assist them with steering and holding their position in the water, while their bodies feature muscular yet balanced bodies covered by either curly or wavy hair; dark eyes penetrating yet expressive eyes mirror playful personalities with inquisitive gazes reflecting playful behavior.

PWDs feature low-shedding, nonallergenic coats which may be either wavy or curly in texture and come in various colors and patterns. No matter the texture of their fur coats, all PWDs should be groomed daily so as to avoid tangle formation – though their natural oils help keep their fur looking neat!

As with many breeds, PWDs can develop hip dysplasia. To minimize its severity, however, this condition can be avoided by delaying spaying/neutering of females until 18-24 months of age and using positive reinforcement training techniques to encourage desired behaviors while discouraging negative ones.

Due to their high-energy levels, PWD pups require regular vigorous exercise in order to remain stimulated and happy. While some pups can be content with long daily walks alone, others thrive in canine sports such as obedience or agility training – PWDs make excellent therapy or service dogs!
Health

Portuguese Water Dogs (PWDs) are highly active dogs that need regular exercise and playtime. PWDs are intelligent animals who learn quickly, responding well to training. Without proper stimulation and instruction however, PWDs may exhibit unwanted or destructive behaviors; hence it is vital that training begins early.

Portuguese Water Dogs require daily walks with opportunities for swimming and playing outdoors as well as indoor activities such as puzzles. Although PWDs do well as kennel dogs, they need constant human contact; an ideal setting would be a house with a backyard environment for them.

Though PWDs are non-shedding breeds, they require regular brushing and combing as well as professional clipping every six to eight weeks for grooming purposes. Their coat can either be curly or wavy; colors include black, brown and white with or without markings.

PWDs possess an ideal temperament for family pets, particularly with children. Devoted to their family and loving attention from them in return. PWDs enjoy pleasing people in any endeavor they support with.

PWDs are highly energetic, agile, and intelligent dogs with beautiful flowing gaits that move gracefully in the water, making it possible for them to perform various forms of aquatic work. PWDs were originally used by their masters at sea as marine assistance dogs – retrieving broken nets or fishing lines from ocean floors, herding schools of fish into nets or fishing lines on boats or carrying messages between vessels – or guarding boats while in foreign ports.

American Water Dog enthusiasts began importing Portuguese Water Dogs during the 1970s and organizing breed clubs. Deyanne and Herbert Miller from Connecticut hosted what would eventually become the American Portuguese Water Dog Club for its inaugural meeting at their home in 1972. Couple was also responsible for bringing Portuguese Water Dogs from England into America, and other members worked to establish this breed here. Finally, American Kennel Club granted recognition of this breed to allow competition under Miscellaneous Class. PWD Foundation has played an essential role in discovering significant heritable health conditions such as juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy (JDCM), early-onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy (EO-PRA), and microphthalmia, which were all believed to be caused by genetic mutations.
Training

Portuguese Water Dogs (PWDs) are energetic canines with playful personalities. Not only are they ideal family companions, but their aquatic heritage has made them popular with President Obama and his family who recently welcomed two PWDs – Bo and Sunny–into the White House.

Historical Portuguese Water Dogs were essential companions for fishermen on Portugal and Spanish coastal waters, herding fish into nets, diving for broken or lost equipment and communicating ship-to-ship communications. Over time they evolved to meet changing fishermen needs while becoming symbols of their hardworking culture.

Today, athletic dogs are popular companion pets across North America. Strong and agile with soft thick coats that come in different colors. Eager learners, they also make great competitive dogs in agility, flyball and obedience competitions.

PWDs are non-shedding and hypoallergenic, making them an excellent choice for people suffering from allergies or asthma. Their social nature often includes acting like clowns to entertain their humans – so they make excellent family pets with children. Their history as working dogs also means they adapt well to life on land.

Portuguese Water Dogs are highly intelligent animals that require regular mental stimulation to stay happy and content. Otherwise, destructive behaviors may develop. Delgado suggests owners bring their pup to doggie daycare or find other activities to keep their pup active and engaged.

Breeders interested in Portuguese Water Dogs can do so through the American Kennel Club; however, potential breeders should conduct extensive research into their breed to fully comprehend its complex genetic history and health certificates must be submitted for each litter along with proof that all members meet minimum conformation and temperament standards set by AKC. In addition, breeders must test for genetic faults such as progressive retinal atrophy causing night blindness and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy which causes heart failure before breeding their pups.