Portuguese Water Dog

Personality

Portuguese Water Dogs are enthusiastic, affectionate and sharp. The AKC calls them very smart and highly biddable, which means they learn fast and want to work with you. Porties greet family and friends with unbridled enthusiasm and want to be wherever you are, whether that means a hike, a boat deck or a spot at your feet.

They also have opinions. The AKC notes the breed often thinks independently and may sometimes challenge an owner's will, so training has to be consistent and positive. Their demand for attention is real; a bored or lonely Portie can find ways to entertain itself that you will not enjoy.

Porties are generally friendly with strangers and other dogs, and the AKC rates them highly with children. That exuberance is a caution, though. The AKC says they can be too much for families with very young children, since a bouncy 50 lb (23 kg) dog can easily knock a toddler over. A well-exercised Portie is a joyful, loving companion. An idle one is likely to dig and chew.

History

The Portuguese Water Dog worked for generations along Portugal's coast, where fishermen counted on a tough, seaworthy helper. According to the AKC, the dogs herded fish into nets, retrieved lost tackle and carried messages between ships or from ship to shore. They rode aboard trawlers from the warm Atlantic off Portugal to the freezing waters near Iceland.

Modern technology eventually replaced their jobs, and by the 1930s the breed was close to disappearing. According to Wikipedia, Vasco Bensaude, a wealthy Portuguese shipping magnate, began seeking out fishermen's dogs in that decade and built a breeding program to re-establish the breed.

In the United States, a small group of fanciers formed the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America in 1972, and the AKC accepted the breed in the early 1980s. Porties are still used for water rescue, and they compete in dock diving, agility, obedience and tracking. In recent years the best-known Portie has been Bo, the Obama family's dog, who lived in the White House.

Appearance, coat & colors

Portuguese Water Dogs are medium, rugged, well-muscled dogs with a broad head and a steady, attentive expression. Males stand 20 to 23 in (51 to 58 cm) and weigh 42 to 60 lb (19 to 27 kg). Females are 17 to 21 in (43 to 53 cm) and 35 to 50 lb (16 to 23 kg).

The breed's webbed feet are real: the soft skin between the toes reaches the tips and helps with swimming. The thick-based tail, carried gallantly, acts like a rudder in the water.

The coat is profuse and strong, and it comes in two types. The curly coat has compact, cylindrical curls, while the wavy coat falls in gentle waves with a slight sheen. There is no undercoat. The AKC lists black, brown and white, with white markings common on black or brown dogs. Two traditional clips are used: the retriever clip, in which the whole body is clipped to about an inch (2.5 cm) with the tail tip left long, and the lion clip, in which the hindquarters and muzzle are clipped to the skin and the rest of the coat stays long.

Training

The Portie is intelligent, eager and an excellent student. The AKC says the breed responds well to obedience training, but also warns that a Portie may sometimes challenge an owner's will. Use positive methods, keep your expectations clear and make training part of every day.

Start early with a puppy class. A young Portie is an energetic, mouthy, bouncy puppy who needs patient guidance about jumping, nipping and pulling. Teach settle, drop it and a strong recall, since these are working dogs that love to run and swim. Reward them with food, play, retrieving and water time.

Because they are so smart, they can get bored with repetition. Vary your routine and add problem solving, such as scent games and puzzle feeders. Many Porties excel at obedience, rally, agility, tracking and dock diving. A job, even a simple one like carrying a toy, keeps a Portie's mind busy.

They are demanding of attention and human contact, so teach independence slowly: short periods in a crate or pen, as in our crate training guide, build calm skills.

Exercise

This is an athletic breed that needs vigorous exercise every day. The AKC suggests long daily walks and play sessions as a baseline, with extras like sports. Think of at least a solid outing or two each day plus off-leash play in a safe, fenced area, and add more for young dogs. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs helps you scale activity by age.

Swimming is the best outlet, as the name suggests. For many enthusiasts, the AKC says, water work is the most special option of all. Retrieving from a pond, lake or pool gives a great workout that is easy on the joints. Use a well-fitted life jacket for deep water, boats or any rough conditions.

Canine sports add mental work. Agility, dock diving, rally, tracking and obedience all suit Porties.

Growing puppies should not do forced running or repeated hard jumping, since their joints are still developing. Keep puppy play gentle and let it build gradually. In hot weather, exercise early or late and provide water and shade. Because they are social and playful, a Portie that does not get enough exercise will take matters into its own paws.

Grooming

The Portie's dense, profuse coat is low-shedding, but it demands regular and extensive care. The AKC says the coat ranges from tight curls to loose waves and needs weekly grooming, plus an occasional bath. Brush down to the skin so tangles don't form close to the body.

Most pet owners choose one of two clips. In the retriever clip, the entire coat is trimmed to about an inch (2.5 cm). The lion clip clips the hindquarters and muzzle to the skin and leaves the rest long. You can learn to clip at home or visit a groomer on a regular schedule. Either way, plan for ongoing time or cost for the life of the dog.

Ears need weekly attention. The AKC advises checking them regularly for signs of infection, and Porties that swim often should have their ears dried afterward. Brush the teeth often with a dog toothpaste. Trim nails regularly, and rinse the coat after swimming in pools or salt water.

Feeding

Porties are active, and a good diet should fit their level of activity, age and size. Choose a complete and balanced food suited to the life stage, whether commercial or home-prepared with your veterinarian's guidance. The AKC notes that some dogs are prone to weight gain, so watch calories, especially from training treats.

Use our dog food calculator to get a starting amount and adjust to body condition. Feel for ribs under a light covering of muscle and fat. The curly coat can hide weight changes, so check with your hands every week.

An active swimming dog may need more calories on heavy days and fewer during quiet periods, so adjust as needed. Split the daily food into two meals, and avoid vigorous exercise right after eating. Fresh water should always be available, and carry some to the lake or beach.

Ask your vet about puppy diets and how fast to grow your dog. If your Portie shows repeated vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or increased thirst, call your vet. Addison's disease, which can look vague at first, is a known concern in this breed.

Health

The AKC calls Portuguese Water Dogs generally healthy, with responsible breeders testing for hip dysplasia and eye disease. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America stresses that the full set of recommended screenings matters because several serious inherited diseases exist: GM1 gangliosidosis, juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy, microphthalmia, and two forms of progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA and early-onset PRA). The club says these can cause premature death, higher veterinary costs or a lower quality of life, and all have DNA tests.

VCA also lists Portuguese Water Dogs among breeds at increased risk of Addison's disease, a shortage of adrenal hormones. Signs are vague and may come and go, such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and weight loss. Sudden weakness, severe vomiting or collapse is an emergency, so call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately.

Because the ears are floppy and the dogs swim often, check them regularly for infection. Keep your dog lean to protect its joints, brush its teeth and have yearly checkups. The AKC lists a lifespan of 11 to 13 years.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip dysplasia — Inherited hip malformation; parents should have OFA hip certification.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — Two forms, prcd-PRA and early-onset PRA, cause inherited vision loss; DNA tests are available.
• GM1 gangliosidosis and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy — Serious inherited diseases the parent club says can cause premature death; DNA tests exist.
• Addison's disease — VCA lists the breed as at higher risk; signs are vague and an adrenal crisis is an emergency.
• Ear infections — Floppy ears and frequent swimming call for regular checking and drying.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation (OFA)
• Annual eye exam
• prcd-PRA DNA test
• Early-onset PRA (EOPRA) DNA test
• Microphthalmia DNA test
• GM1 gangliosidosis DNA test
• Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy (JDCM) DNA test
• Elbow evaluation (optional)

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dogs adapt to many settings, and the AKC rates their adaptability at the top of the scale, but they need a lifestyle to match. A house with a fenced yard and nearby water is perfect. An apartment can work if you provide vigorous daily exercise and a lot of attention.

They are people dogs. The AKC says Porties demand attention and human contact, and they are happiest when part of the family's activities. Long hours alone are a poor fit. Plan for daycare, a dog walker or flexible work.

Because the coat is low-shedding, many owners find it easier to live with than shedding breeds, though the dog still needs frequent grooming and sheds some hair. The AKC lists the breed as hypoallergenic, but no dog is completely allergen-free, so spend time with the breed before committing if allergies are a concern; our page on hypoallergenic dogs has more.

Porties tend to be friendly with other dogs and pets but may be too exuberant for homes with very young children. A pool or lake may be a magnet, so secure it.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Choose a breeder who follows the parent club's testing guidelines. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America recommends an OFA hip certification (at age two or older), a current annual eye certification, and DNA tests or certified parentage clearing for prcd-PRA, early-onset PRA, microphthalmia, GM1 and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. Elbow evaluation and an improper-coat DNA test are also mentioned. At least one parent should test clear (non-carrier) for the recessive diseases, and results can be verified at OFA.org by searching the parents' registered names.

A good breeder raises puppies at home, matches families to temperaments and keeps in touch for the life of the dog. Be wary of anyone who skips testing or sells without screening buyers.

Prices differ widely by region and breeder, and a high price is not proof of health. Rescue is a good option for an adult, and the parent club supports rescue and relocation.