CHOOSING A BREEDER

The following questions should help you research the breed and choose a breeder:

• Why and how did you become involved with Portuguese Water Dogs?
• Are you a member of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America/Canada or affiliated local PWD Club? If not, why?
• What are the pros and cons of owning a Portuguese Water Dog?
• What is the general character and temperament of your dogs?
• How much grooming is required or recommended for the breed?
• What does your written contract of sale include?
• Does it include health and other guarantees?
• Will you send me a sample to review?
• What is the health status and certifications for the sire, dam and puppies?
• Will you send copies of the health certification s to me?
• Why was this particular breeding done?
• Are there any known concerns about the health and temperament in the recent pedigree of the dam and sire?
• Will a pedigree be made available to prospective purchasers?
• What kind of socialization and training do the puppies receive before leaving for their new homes?
• What age do your puppies go to their new homes?
• What is the purchase price of the puppy?
• Will the puppies be evaluated for structure and temperament prior to placement?
• Will I be able to choose my puppy or do you match puppies and purchasers based on the evaluation of the litter?
• Do you provide feeding instructions, including advice on the type of food and supplements to use?
• Do you recommend training methods, reference materials, obedience schools, veterinarians, etc. for your puppies?
• Will you be available for advice after I take the puppy home?
• Will you provide references of those currently owning puppies from your prior breedings?

Ask the breeder to let you meet the dam, sire (if available), and any other dogs that are related to the litter that are with the breeder or near where you are located. The general appearance and temperament of the adult dogs will indicate what can be expected from the puppies in the litter. If you are interested in specific activities for your puppy, such as obedience, agility, tracking, water or hospital therapy work, be sure to tell the breeder since it may help the breeder to select a puppy to suit your interests.

Hypoallergenic Dogs

If you suffer from allergies and you want to own a dog, you’ll want to pay particular attention to “hypoallergenic” breeds.  It’s the dander on the dog’s coat that bothers allergy sufferers, so it’s a plus for them that the hair of “hypoallergenic” breeds tends to stay at the point of origin:  it clings to the coat instead of dropping off all over the furniture and floors.  People with allergies may find they are able to tolerate the hair of a Portuguese Water Dog  as they are classified as non-shedding (they lack an undercoat).  

It’s this fact that also presents a drawback of sorts.  Hypoallergenic breeds require considerable grooming time.  Be prepared to brush, wash, clip and trim their coats frequently.  With a Portie, I would recommend a bath at least every two weeks with twice weekly brushing out of the coat to remove any loose hair and any knots that will build up as your Portie rolls around on the floor and in the grass and in your garden..........  Many prospective owners, however, are glad to invest in having their dogs professionally groomed or, if their allergies permit, learn to take on the task themselves, rather than forego dog ownership altogether. 

Among the “hypoallergenic” breeds to choose from: the Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Giant Schnauzer, Afghan Hound, Irish Water Spaniel, Komodor, Miniature Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, Kerry Blue and Bedlington Terriers, Toy Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, Mexican Hairless and Chinese Crested Dog.

Of course, you’ll consider criteria other than coat type before you commit yourself to any dog.  Each breed, and individuals within it, has its own unique characteristics that will affect the success of your match.  Visit breeders and spend some time in the company of your chosen breed to be sure both you and your allergies are suited to it.

The Portuguese Water Dog Canadian Kennel Club Standard

Origin and Purpose...For centuries, this seafaring breed existed everywhere along the coast of Portugal and is considered a purely Portuguese breed. Owing to modifications in the fishing systems used, the breed has become restricted to the province of Algarve which should be considered it’s home. It was prized by fishermen for its spirited yet obedient nature and a robust, medium build that allowed for a full day’s work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog is an athletic swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina. He aided his master at sea by retrieving gear and broken nets, herding schools of fish and carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and an alert guard.

General Appearance....The Portuguese Water Dog is defined by his job. He has a hard, penetrating and attentive expression, splendid sight and a fair nose. Slightly longer than tall, he is a medium sized, sturdy, athletic, swimming dog with webbed feet, short neck and a wavy or curly coat to protect him from the elements, whether in the water or on land. From his impressive head with piercing gaze through a rugged body to his powerful tail carried up in a ring with its characteristic flowing flag, he presents an indelible impression of strength, spirit and soundness.

Temperament....An animal of spirited disposition, he is self-willed, brave and very resistant to fatigue. Exceptionally intelligent and a loyal companion, he does his job with facility and obvious pleasure.

Head....well proportioned and massive.

Skull...seen in profile it is slightly longer than the muzzle, its curvature more accentuated at the back than in front and it possesses a well defined occiput. From the front the parietal bones are seen to be dome-shaped and to have a slight depression in the middle. The forehead has a central furrow for two thirds of the length of the parietals and the frontal bones are prominent.
Muzzle....is narrower at the nose that at its base. The stop, which is well defined, is slightly further back than the inner corner of the eyes.
Nose....nostrils well open and finely pigmented. Black, in animals with black, black and white or white coats. In browns the nose is of the same colour as the coat.
Lips....thick, especially in front. Inner corner of lips not apparent. Mucous membrane (roof of mouth, under the tongue and gums) well ticked with black or quite black.
Jaws....strong and neither over nor undershot.
Teeth....not apparent. Canines strongly developed.
Eyes....medium sized, set well apart and a bit obliquely, roundish and neither prominent nor sunken. Brown or black in colour. The eyelids, which are of fine texture have black edges. No haw.

Ears....leather heart-shaped, thin in texture and set well above the line of the eyes. Except for a small opening at the back, the ears are held nicely against the head. The tips should not reach below the beginning of the neck.

Neck....straight, short, nicely rounded and held high. Strongly muscled. No mane and no dewlap.

Brisket....wide and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs long and well sprung.
 

Withers....wide and not prominent.

Back....short and nicely joined to the croup.
Abdomen....held well up in a graceful line.
Croup....well formed and only slightly inclined with hips hardly apparent.

Tail....not docked, thick at the base and tapering; medium setting. It should not reach down below the hock. When the dog is attentive the tail should be held in a ring, the front of which should not reach beyond the line of the kidneys. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.

Forelegs....strong and straight.
Shoulder....well inclined and very strongly muscled.
Upper Arm....strong and of regular length, parallel to the medial body line.
Forearm....long and strongly muscled.
Knee....heavy boned, wider in front than at the side.
Pastern....long and strong.

Fore Feet....round and rather flat. Toes not too knuckled up and not too long. The membrane between the toes, which reaches the tip of these, is of soft skin, well covered with hair. Black nails are preferred but whites, browns and striped are allowed according to the colour of the coat. Nails held up slightly off the ground. Central pad very thick, others normal.

Hind Legs....straight and very strongly muscled.
Thigh....strong and of regular length. Very strongly muscled. Thigh bone parallel to the medial body line.
Second Thigh....long and strongly muscled, parallel to the medial body line. Decidedly inclined from front to back.
All the tendons well developed.
Buttocks....long and well curved.

Hock....strong

Metatarsus....long. No dewclaws.

Hind Feet....similar, in all respects, to the fore feet

Position of Legs....regular. It is admissible for the front legs to be held so that feet are slightly in front of the perpendicular and the back legs, from the hock downwards, also a bit forward.

Gait....first and foremost a working dog, the Portuguese Water Dog’s trotting gait should be effortless, balanced and sound. He should display a proud carriage and a light, happy attitude with the tail carried high in a ring over the back. He should be gaited at a moderate speed. There should be good reach and strong drive with a level topline. At increased speed there will be a tendency to converge. Movement from front and rear will be clean and true. The walking gait is light with short steps and the gallop energetic.

Coat and Colour....profuse coat, of strong hair, covering the whole body evenly, except for the under-arms and groin where it is thinner.

There are two varieties of coat
1. The hair is fairly long, wavy, rather loose with a slight sheen. The hair on the top of the head is upright and that on the ears decidedly longer than the leather.
2. The hair is shorter, forms compact cylindrical curls, thickly planted and somewhat lusterless. On the top of the head the hair is similar to that of the rest of the coat, whereas that on the ears is sometimes wavy. Colours are black, white and various tones of brown; also combinations of black, or brown with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth and eyelids are black. In animals with black, white, or black and white coats, the skin is decidedly bluish. There is no undercoat.

Clips

Lion Clip....the middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle, must be clipped. The rest of the coat is left long. The hair on the end of the tail is left at full length.
Retriever Clip....the entire coat is scissored or clipped to follow the outline of the dog, leaving a short blanket of coat appearing no more than one inch in length. The hair on the end of the tail is left at full length. Hair on the ears is trimmed to the leathers.

No discrimination will be made against the correct presentation of a dog in either Lion Clip or Retriever Clip.

Size

Height        Males between 19.5" and 22.5" (50-57 cm) the ideal being 21.5" (54 cm)
                    Females between 16.5" and 20.5" (43-52 cm) the ideal being 18" (46 cm)
Weight       Males between 42 and 60 pounds (19-25k)
                    Females between 35 and 50 pounds (16-22k)

Faults....Any deviation from the described ideal is a fault. Major Faults are those deviations that interfere with the performance of the dog’s traditional job and which therefore cannot be overlooked.

Disqualifications

Colour other than those mentioned
Coat other than those mentioned
Over or undershot jaws
Over or under height
Flesh-coloured or discoloured noses