We are a small kennel breeding for correct temperament, health and structure. We are members of the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), the PWDCC (Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada, and the PWDCA (Portuguese Water Dog Club of America). These affiliations are important: to support our breed; to be involved in a community of like-minded committed fanciers; and to keep current with developing issues that concern our breed and dog ownership in general.

Background and Temperament

The Portuguese Water Dog is a strong, robust, medium sized, agile dog bred with the stamina and endurance to do a full day’s work on the Portuguese Fisherman’s boat. It should be of substantial bone and well muscled. Its head is large with a broad top skull and muzzle. Refer to the Canadian Kennel Club Standard, for more detail on the structure and size.

The breed is a loyal, affectionate, energetic, intelligent family companion and watch dog and it thrives on and demands human attention. Its attractive, playful appearance often belies its true character. In its role as a watchdog, the PWD is alert and protective rather than aggressive. It is cautious and sensible with strangers. It remains a true working dog, tough and independent at times, not a dog for everybody.

Daily doses of exercise are a must or the PWD will provide its own exuberant exercise indoors. Portuguese Water Dogs require an owner as active, involved and intelligent as they are or they will soon be running the household and getting into mischief.

The robustness and high spirits of this fisherman’s dog should be understood as natural exuberance just as its retriever qualities make it mouthy but not intentionally destructive. The Portuguese Water Dog has a unique sense of humor and its owner needs a sense of humor as well.

Where access to water is possible, they enjoy playing and working in the water with their families. They can, however, survive perfectly well in areas where swimming is not possible.
The life expectancy of the average Portuguese Water Dog is 12 to 15 years. They tend to mature slowly and remain active well into their senior years.

The Coat

People with pet allergies can often tolerate the Portuguese Water Dog’s non-shedding coat. It is recommended that you spend several hours with adult PWDs before you consider buying a puppy in order to test your allergic response.

The coat continues to grow unless clipped. There are two coat types: curly or wavy either black or brown with or without white markings, or white with or without black or brown markings. The coat are clipped in either the Retriever Clip, or the Lion Clip, which is the traditional clip and the only show clip allowed in countries other than the United States and Canada.

Although the coat does not shed, whether curly or wavy, it must be combed or brushed thoroughly several times a week to prevent matting and tangling, and to remove broken hairs and debris from the coat. Weekly, ears and teeth should be cleaned and nails checked and trimmed if necessary. Frequent baths and regular hair cuts maintain the health of the hair and skin as well as the appearance of the dog. You can learn to bath and groom your PWD yourself or have it done by a professional.

Training

House training is not difficult provided you set aside the required time and are consistent with your training. The proper use of a dog crate can make this and the transition of the pup to its new home much easier.

The PWD is extremely intelligent and is easily trained. Obedience training must start from the moment you bring your puppy home. The training and socialization of the puppy actually starts in the whelping box with its dam and siblings. We socialize our puppies with visits from many adults and children, the pups are exposed to a variety of experiences that lay the foundation for proper training. Training must be kept interesting or the PWD will become bored and your training efforts will be counter productive.

The retriever qualities inherent in this breed result in the PWD being “mouthy” not intentionally destructive. In a growing puppy and adolescent dog this mouthiness may result in unintentional destructiveness and “nipping”. Proper supervision, numerous toys, confinement in a safe comfortable area such as a crate when not under supervision and proper training will help channel and control this mouthiness. As an adult, it enjoys carrying things around and usually has a favourite fuzzy toy in its mouth or nearby.