Working group

Portuguese Water Dog

A tireless, curly-coated fisherman’s dog — clever, athletic and water-mad.

Portuguese Water Dogs are energetic, intelligent working dogs bred to help fishermen. They are affectionate, trainable and low-shedding, but need lots of exercise, mental work and regular professional grooming.

Height
17–23 in43–58 cm
Weight
35–60 lb16–27 kg
Life expectancy
11–13 years
Size
Medium
Group
Working
Origin
Algarve, Portugal

Coat: Curly or wavy single coat, low shedding. Colours: Black, Brown, White, Black and white, Brown and white.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement4.5 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"2.5 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability4.5 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation4.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness3.5 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety4.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.0 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive3.0 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking3.0 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level1.5 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden4.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability3.0 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness3.0 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level3.0 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

PWDs are exuberant, loving and eager to please. They bond closely with their families, enjoy children and learn quickly. Most love water and retrieving.

They are high-energy and mouthy as puppies, and bored PWDs can chew, dig and counter-surf. They need an active household and daily training to stay settled.

Living with a Portuguese Water Dog

Exercise

Needs 90 minutes or more of vigorous daily activity. Swimming, retrieving and dog sports are ideal outlets.

Grooming

Brush several times a week and book professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Rinse the coat after swimming in salt or chlorine.

Training

Very trainable and quick to learn. Channel their energy with obedience, agility or water work, and teach a calm settle early.

Kids & other pets

Wonderful with children and usually friendly with other dogs. Puppies are mouthy and bouncy.

Time alone

Dislikes long isolation; bored PWDs become destructive. Provide exercise and puzzles before absences.

Home fit

Can manage in an apartment with committed daily exercise; a house with outdoor space is easier.

Is a Portuguese Water Dog right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Portuguese Water Dog matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Portuguese Water Dog typically lives 11–13 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Hip dysplasia

    Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy

    Inherited vision loss detectable by the prcd-PRA DNA test.

  • GM1 storage disease

    A fatal inherited neurological disease; DNA testing has greatly reduced it.

  • Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy

    A fatal heart disease in young puppies; breeders test and track affected lines.

  • Addison’s disease

    An adrenal disorder with vague symptoms; mention the breed risk to your vet.

Ask a breeder for

  • Hip evaluation
  • Eye examination
  • DNA tests: prcd-PRA and GM1 storage disease

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Portuguese Water Dog; Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Along Portugal’s Algarve coast, PWDs worked on fishing boats: herding fish into nets, retrieving lost gear and carrying messages between boats and shore. As fishing modernised, the breed nearly disappeared.

Shipping magnate Vasco Bensaude revived the breed in the 1930s. It came to America in the 1950s and was recognised by the AKC in 1983. PWDs Bo and Sunny lived in the White House with the Obama family.

Did you know?

  • Bo and Sunny, the Obama family’s dogs, were Portuguese Water Dogs.
  • PWDs have webbed feet and a rudder-like tail.
  • The traditional “lion clip” kept the hindquarters light for swimming and the chest warm.

Library guides for Portuguese Water Dog owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Portuguese Water Dogs hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but PWDs shed very little.
Are PWDs good family dogs?
Yes, for active families. They are affectionate, trainable and good with children.
How much grooming does a PWD need?
A lot: regular brushing and professional clips every six to eight weeks.