🐕 Medium · Portugal
An athletic Portuguese working dog with a curly or wavy coat that helped fishermen herd schools of fish and is highly eager to learn.
The Portuguese Water Dog is intelligent, loyal, and notably lively, always wanting to be part of the action. It forms a close bond with its family.
It needs a lot of daily exercise including swimming and loves mental tasks such as retrieving or water work.
The curly or wavy, low-shedding coat needs professional grooming every six to eight weeks as well as regular brushing to prevent matting.
Manageable for committed first-time owners who plan for enough exercise and coat care, but too lively for very quiet households.
The breed can be affected by hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy, so corresponding health testing is advisable.
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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.
Souldog