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Isn't the Obama's puppy cute? "BO" does make us smile and it's difficult not to want one. These cute, cuddly bundles of joy are just that, and more. However, now that there is so much talk about Portugese Water Dogs in the media, it is important to offer this information at this time.
Photo by Jeff Tait
When a breed is in the spotlight for any reason, good or bad, there is a lot of interest and discussion. We hope that we can help you educate one another regarding PWDs and that you don't fall prey to the impulse purchase of a puppy
from a pet shop, where puppies come from puppy mills.
Before deciding on a Portugese Water Dog, or any breed for that matter, DO YOUR RESEARCH. You wait 9 months for a baby to be born, so waiting to get
the best puppy for your lifestyle is no different.
Do keep a few things in mind when considering this breed:
- Longevity
A PWDs life span is between 12 and 18 yrs!
- Consider the activity level of the breed to the family.
PWD's are not couch potatoes, they are working dogs and need and want to work, whether at agility, obedience, water trials, canine therapy or helping out around the house.
- Contact and work with a reliable breeder.
About 40 years have gone into developing and maintaining a healthy, sound breed in this country. With all the high interest in the breed at this time there will be those who want to cash in on it.
- Buyer beware.
Ask questions, read contracts, do your homework. See references at end of this article.
- Be ready for a commitment.
Do you have a good vet lined up? Where will you go for puppy kindergarten and the months of other training required? There are PWD clubs and people who are more than willing to talk to you about the breed. Discuss the breed with them, listen to what they have to say before making a commitment. Many breed reps will try and discourage people from their breed to help keep their beloved dogs from ending up in shelters because new owners didn't know what they were getting in to.
 Breed History:
For hundreds of years Portuguese Water Dogs worked on fishing boats on the Algarve coast of Portugal. They worked with the fisherman. They jumped into ships, carried messages from ship to ship, carried nets, and performed other work. During the 20th century they were replaced by technology and almost became extinct. They were brought back in the last few decades as delightful pets.
Description:
Portuguese Water Dogs are medium-sized and robust. Males are 20 Ð 23 inches tall at the withers (the highest part of the shoulder) and 42 Ð 60 pounds. Females are 17 Ð 21 inches tall at the withers and 35 Ð 50 pounds. They are strong enough to work all day. Their coat is either wavy or curly. They are black, brown or white - or black and white - or brown and white. They are considered non-shedding because they shed very little. Bred to work on fishing boats with fishermen, they crave close contact with people and strenuous activity. They are intelligent. They need serious training.
Portuguese Water Dogs are excellent at agility, water work and obedience competition. PWDs, interacting well with humans, warm hearts as therapy dogs and work diligently as search and rescue and assistance dogs.
Health:
There are several serious genetic health issues in this breed. It took years of devoted, difficult and expensive work on the part of breeders and scientists to find the genes and markers for their inherited diseases. Reputable breeders now choose a number of expensive tests to be done on each dog in order to have puppies that don't have these conditions.
Afflictions caused, and thus avoided, by simple genetics :
- Storage Disease (GM1-Gangliosidosis)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDCM)
Through careful testing and planned breedings, breeders can avoid these afflictions in their puppies. Many Portuguese Water Dogs have genes for these conditions and will have puppies with them if bred to dogs who also have the genesfor them. They are horrible conditions no one would want. In Storage Disease, puppies begin showing neurological deterioration and die by six to eight months of age. PRA causes blindness. Puppies with JDCM die suddenly. Hip dysplasia and Addison's disease are unwanted conditions that are inherited in more complicated ways. Careful breeding can lower the chances of puppies having them.
Portuguese Water Dogs share a very small gene pool. There were only 25 Portuguese Water Dogs in the world in 1972. There are considerably more dogs today, but they are all descended from that small group. Very careful, genetic planning and control must take place with each breeding in order to have healthy puppies.
IMPORTANT - Since puppy mills and pet shops are in the business of profiting from the sale of puppies, they will not spend the time and money required to maintain quality breeding stock, free of inherited disease. It is imperative that you only purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder, that you have met face to face, is an honorable member of the PWD club and is expecting to be available to help you with any issues that arise throughout your puppy's life.
Other than some genetic conditions, Portuguese Water Dogs are generally healthy and strong. Since they were bred to work on ships and in water, the lack of strenuous physical and mental activity is stressful to them. If not given work to do, they will find their own, such as chewing furniture and prolonged barking at windows.
Portuguese Water Dogs are among the most hypoallergenic of dog breeds, but no breed is non-allergenic. Many people who are allergic to dogs can tolerate Portuguese Water Dogs but some cannot. People have had bad allergic reactions to them. These dogs have less dander than most breeds, and they shed less than most, decreasing the chance of allergic reactions. However, their saliva is as allergenic as any dog's saliva. Since they lick themselves, and people, that fact is not to be taken lightly.
When matched with appropriate owners, Portuguese Water Dogs are delightful, lively pets.
RESOURCES
Books
- "The New Complete Portuguese Water Dog" by Kathryn Braund
- "The Portuguese Water Dog" A Guide for the New Owner by Verne K. Foster
Clubs
- Portuguese Water Dog Club of America www.pwdca.org
The club and its' website provide a wealth of information and contacts, including lists of
reputable breeders and online discussion groups.
- Nutmeg Portugese Water Dog Club www.nutmegpwd.org
This regional club provides an informative website as well as opportunities to see
PWDs and meet the breeders and others involved with them.
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