Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dogs make excellent pets for families and active individuals. They're loyal to their people and excellent with kids—though they can be exuberant. So, adult supervision is a good idea when young children are around. They're also friendly toward other pets and dogs.

A very playful breed—especially around water—Porties need plenty of attention to be happy. But they reward their people with complete and utter devotion.

Portuguese Water Dogs may be nervous or shy around people they don't know. The best way to help them become comfortable in a variety of situations is to socialize them early in life.

Portuguese Water Dogs require a high-quality dog food that is age-appropriate—whether it's commercially manufactured or homemade (with a veterinarian's supervision and approval).

All dogs are at risk for obesity if they eat too many calories. Monitor how much your Portuguese Water Dog eats. And avoid accidental overfeeding by measuring out meals. Also, be sure to include calories from treats when calculating their daily intake. As a general guideline, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's calories.

The Portuguese Water Dog has hair instead of fur. That means—unlike fur coats that grow to a point and then shed—a Portie's hair keeps growing and occasionally falls out, similar to human hair. But it usually falls back into the coat (instead of all over the house). Because of this minimal shedding, Portuguese Water Dogs can be an excellent breed for people with allergies.

Though Porties don't shed a lot, their coats still need regular grooming. To keep their hair free from mats and tangles, brush your Portie regularly. And because the breed's hair grows continuously, they'll need haircuts every month or so.

Your Portuguese Water Dog's nails will wear down through regular activity. But you should still inspect them routinely for splits or cracks and trim them as needed. Overgrown nails can be painful and could eventually lead to issues walking or running.

Finally, maintaining good dental hygiene is essential for the overall long-term health of all dogs, regardless of breed. In addition to scheduling professional dental cleanings, aim to establish an at-home routine that includes regular teeth brushing.

Portuguese Water Dogs are energetic, athletic dogs that need daily exercise to burn off extra energy. They excel at dog sports—such as agility, tracking, and obedience. Porties also enjoy musical freestyle, which is a mix of obedience training, dance, and tricks.

Because of their endurance, Porties make good jogging companions. And their exceptional swimming skills and love of water mean they're always up for dock diving, water trials, and fetching floating tennis balls.

Portuguese Water Dogs often have a sensitive nature. So, they respond best to reward-based training using their favorite treats or toys.

Some Porties can be independent thinkers and may try to challenge their owners. Gentle, consistent training and plenty of exercise are the best tools to curb these independent streaks.