Portuguese Water Dog

Good to know

• Fisherman's helper: bred to herd fish into nets, retrieve gear and carry messages between boats, they have webbed feet and love water.
• Very active: Porties need vigorous daily exercise and mental work, and water activities are a favorite.
• Grooming commitment: the curly or wavy coat sheds little but needs regular grooming and clipping, often in a lion or retriever clip.
• Want to be with you: they crave attention and human company, and can be too exuberant for very young children.
• Independent streak: smart and trainable, but a Portie may test you, so positive, consistent training works best.
• A low-shedding coat. Some people with allergies find that easier to live with, but no breed is allergen-free.

Getting out with a Portuguese Water Dog

They need daily exercise beyond a stroll: longer trails, games of fetch and time to run at the park.

Explore more breeds in the Working group