Some people confuse the Portuguese Waterdog with a Labradoodle, but this is in fact one of the oldest dog breeds. Their heritage is working alongside fishermen helping to pull in fishing nets.
These days they have found a place in our hearts and homes. They make fantastic family dogs and enjoy an active lifestyle with their family.
Portuguese Waterdogs make great jogging partners and surf buddies and will overachieve at any kind of agility training. They are very playful and love to run through the fields and of course through the water.
Any water activity you can think off, they will love to be part of. Retrieving out of the ocean, jumping through the waves to bring a ball back ...that's a Portuguese Waterdog's purpose in life. So if you live near the water, this could be the breed for you!
They are easy to train but can be a little stubborn at times. These dogs have a very good sense of smell and sometimes this can cause them wander off at the park if they are on the trail of a scent. They are keen to work and have lots of endurance.
A Waterdog's coat requires regular brushing in order to not get matted.
Weight: | 19-27 kg |
Health risk: | Medium |
Life expectancy: | 12-15 years |
Coat: | Long |
Grooming intensity: | High |
Monthly cost (food): | Average |
Trainability: | Medium |
Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Portugese Water Dog from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Portugese Water Dog to adopt:
To help your rescued Portugese Water Dog to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Portugese Water Dog from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.