What you should really look out for. The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent, hard-working, and energetic breed. They are gentle and patient—but not couch potatoes, and boredom can cause them to become destructive. Bred to be of service, the Portuguese Water Dog is an extremely intelligent and robust dog. The Portuguese Water Dog is very intelligent and responds well to obedience training. In 1958, the first pair of Portuguese Water Dogs was imported into the United States, and in 1972, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was formed.
Not all Porties will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. It can be found in most pet warehouse stores in the horse section. They may chew their paws and legs. "The bottom line is that there is no easy answer, and pet parents should talk with their veterinarian about the benefits and risks of neutering their pet in relation to orthopedic problems, cancer, or other concerns such as urinary incontinence, " Entriken says. Training your Portuguese Water Dog for obedience, agility, tracking, or water work is a great way to stimulate his mind and give him the activity he enjoys. Forelegs are strong and straight with long, well-muscled forearms. Most of the hair they do release gets caught up in their waves or curls. Vati in Kayak, Moab, UT 2007. photo © Monica Bergmann.
Central pad is very thick, others normal. So, they respond best to reward-based training using their favorite treats or toys. Buttocks are well developed. He will fearlessly dive into icy water to retrieve a net or round up fish, and he won't stop working until the job is completed. 5 cups of high-quality dog food daily. If there are no adoptable PWDs in your area and you look instead for breeders, be sure to investigate them to ensure they are not running a puppy mill. Why the shaved muzzle? Wipe out and dry the ears thoroughly as well to prevent infections. This cut takes some getting used to, especially if you don't like being the centre of attention as you walk down the street, but it does look fantastic when they run. The Portuguese Water Dog has a thick, water-repellent coat that is either curly or wavy.
The hindquarters were left shaved for easier movement of the legs and the powerful tail. This to me is the really interesting part of the cut. All Rights Reserved. While they are practically nonshedding, their coats still need plenty of maintenance. Tendons and hocks are strong. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise. Some PWDs are obsessed with paper and will destroy toilet paper rolls (often eating the paper) and/or eat tissues (used or fresh). Mental stimulation and. Technology eventually laid him off from his job, but Porties are still used for water rescue. Same Curly Male, Rasta, shown in retriever trim and lion trim. All dogs shed and produce dander to some degree. At first, it does look rather odd, but when you understand why it was cut this way you will realise that this unique cut is designed and fit for their specific purpose as fishermen's dogs. All of our dogs are wavy coats.
This is a dog who learns quickly and enjoys mastering new skills. Their numbers steadily declined throughout the 19th century as the number of fishermen waned and technology increasingly phased out their jobs, and by the 1930s, the dog was nearly extinct. Coat Types: There are two "proper" coats in PWDs. Even though they are low shedding dogs, they are high maintenance on the grooming front because their coats need a daily brush to prevent any mats or tangles from forming which is particularly true of longer, wavy coated dogs. Some owners make their own platform out of plywood, glue a rubber mat to the top, and then place the platform on top of a crate to groom. A short muzzle keeps the dog clean and easier to brush and groom and free from matting.
If you're looking for a dog to compete with, they do fantastically well in obedience, agility, flyball, and (of course) water competitions. It takes careful attention and time to keep on top of the grooming. Fleas & Ticks: Fleas are dangerous pests. In animals with black, white, or black and white coats, the skin is decidedly bluish. Ribs are long and well-sprung to provide optimum lung capacity. Some will stand upright at kitchen counters, especially if they smell food above. It's likely he shares an ancestor with the Poodle, who was bred in Germany to be a water retriever. We prefer ceramic blades as they will stay cool longer and will be better tolerated by the dog. The white markings can be a relatively solid white, or they can having ticking (flecks of black or brown) or double ticking (referred to in North America as "Silver or Brown fox").
Not only will it help keep them stimulated, but it will curtail some of their less-desirable traits, like the breed's tendency to greet people by jumping up, or their notorious reputation as counter surfers. In 1983, the AKC recognized the Portie as a distinct breed. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Originally bred to be a fisher men's sidekick including herding fish into fishermen's nets, retrieving broken nets, lost tackle, and moving things from boat to boat or even to the shore. This coat type is NOT a disqualifying fault in the breed standard, but is a major fault. They will also last longer if you don't clip your dog when it is too dirty.