Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog, known in Portugal as Cão de Água Português, is a very ancient breed with roots on the Algarve coast in southern Portugal. For centuries, Portuguese fishermen used these dogs to herd schools of fish into nets, retrieve equipment that fell overboard and act as messengers between boats and the shore.

In the late 20th century, the breed was introduced to the United States and gained worldwide fame when Barack Obama kept two during his presidency. It was recognized by the AKC in 1983.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog with a muscular, athletic build. Its curly or wavy coat without undercoat is virtually hypoallergenic, making it a popular choice for allergy sufferers.

In temperament it is extraordinarily intelligent, obedient and easy to train. Very active, but at home it is affectionate, loyal and deeply family-oriented. Its enthusiasm is contagious.

The Portuguese Water Dog needs abundant and varied exercise: swimming, hiking, dog sports and active play. Its hypoallergenic coat requires professional grooming every 2-3 months.

Ear cleaning is especially important. Vet visits should include eye checks, genetic testing for GM1 and adrenal monitoring.

The Portuguese Water Dog may be prone to some hereditary conditions worth knowing about:

• Hip dysplasia: hereditary joint malformation that can cause pain and movement difficulties; detectable via X-ray.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): progressive retinal degeneration that can lead to blindness; genetic test available.
• GM1 gangliosidosis: serious hereditary metabolic disease affecting the nervous system; genetic screening recommended for breeders.
• Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease): adrenal insufficiency manifesting as weakness, vomiting and weight loss; manageable lifelong with medication.

A balanced, high-quality diet is key to your dog's health. Discover our selection of dog food.