Dog picture taken by mgerskup.

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One of the more challenging aspects of getting Portuguese Water Dogs ready for water trials is getting them used to swimming and jumping from boats. These four 14 week old litter mates are getting an early introduction.

14 week old portuguese water dog, 14 week portuguese water dog size

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Amoung 105 PWD in the Show, the 13 month old Portuguese Water Dog - LIGHT MY FIRE DA PEDRA DA ANIXA, coming from Portugal, got Best of Breed, Junior World Winner 2008, Junior Best in Show 1 of the day and Group 3!

portuguese water sweden

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Lucy likes to sing while we play the drums.

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The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent, hard working dog that was bred to help fishermen. They generally get along well with other dogs but should be socialized when young for other pets. If at all possible, they need plenty of exercise and if there can be water involved, you have a happy dog. They are said to love children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Portuguese Water Dog is 16 to 22 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 35 to 55 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Portuguese Water Dog is no exception. Be on the lookout for skin conditions, Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness). This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Portuguese Water Dog has a profuse, heavy coat of either curly or wavy hair. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Portuguese Water Dog can live between 10 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Portuguese Water Dog comes from Portugal where they were used to herd fish for fishermen. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1983.

Some Registries:

*Portuguese Water Dog Club of America

*UKC United Kennel Club

*NKC National Kennel Club

*CKC Continental Kennel Club

*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

*AKC American Kennel Club

*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain

*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club

*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 4 to 8 Portuguese Water Dog puppies

Category: Sporting Group, Gundog

Terms To Describe: Obedient, spirit, robust, good swimmer, alert guard, companion, loyal, brave, intelligent,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Makes a good watch dog.

Makes a good guard dog.

Little to no shed.

Slow growing coat.

Fast learners.

Love the water.

*Other Names Known By: Cao de Agua, Sea Dog, Diving Dog, Portuguese Fishing Dog

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

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This video was taken when Miya - a Portuguese Water Dog - was only 8 weeks old and 8lbs. She was more scared of going down the stairs than going ... all » up, but she quickly overcame her fear.

dog stair walking

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So, the Obamas have finally added that new puppy to their family, and his cute little face is staring at you from every newspaper/magazine/website you come across and suddenly you find yourself thinking "Aawww... he's so sweet. I want one of those"

But wait.... just because the 'First Family' has one, it doesn't mean YOU should! Every dog breed is different, with different needs, behavior, and requirements - and every home is different too.

Portuguese Water Dog puppies are adorable teddy bear 'look-alikes', and their lively and affectionate personalities makes them very endearing. But before all those cute photos in the media have you searching for a breeder with a puppy to sell, it's a good idea to take a few minutes to learn more about the breed, and figure out whether it's the right 'fit' for you.

The Portuguese Water Dog is an old breed, know in it's native land as Cao de Agua (literally meaning 'dog of the water'). The ancestors of todays' PWDs played an important role in their country's' fishing industry, and were used to herd fish, retrieve lines/tackle, carry messages from boat to boat or to shore, and act as guardians when protection was needed.

A medium to large sized dog, an adult will measure anywhere between 17 and 23 inches in height, and weigh between 35 and 60lbs. A female will usually be smaller/lighter than a male, but both sexes should be solidly built and muscular.

This courageous, hardy and spirited dog still carries the attributes of a working breed, and in spite of it's cuddly looks, it is most definitely not a lap-dog. Portuguese Water Dogs need lots of vigorous exercise and an active lifestyle, but can be happy in an average-sized home/yard if given plenty of opportunity to run and play on a daily basis.

They bond closely with their owners and always want to be by your side. This isn't an independent breed who can be happy left alone for long periods inside or out, and your Portuguese Water Dog pup will want (and need) to be an integral part of your family's' life.

Outgoing, intelligent and eager to learn, Portuguese Water Dogs make great obedience or agility dogs, and although often considered too small to fill the 'service dog' role, they can be great therapy dogs. Regular socialization and obedience training are very important if you want your PWD to grow up to be all that it can be.

Portuguese Water Dogs can make excellent family pets, and their exuberance and energy levels make them a lot of fun but they can sometimes 'play rough'. They're also known to be a 'mouthy' breed, and may nip/bite more than usual.

Although consistent correction will eliminate the mouthing and rough-housing, if you have very young children you may want to take this into account. Generally this breed is fine with other dogs, and can live alongside cats if introduced to them early on.

Their tendency towards 'mouthiness' can also show up as excessive chewing, and you'll need to make sure you have a lot of very sturdy chew toys handy for your Portuguese Water Dog puppy (or your home and belongings will suffer!).

The long wavy or curly hair that makes them so adorably 'shaggy', needs regular grooming and a daily brush or comb is the best way to keep matts and tangles at bay. Regular clipping or trimming is also recommended.

Portuguese Water Dogs have a single layer coat which is very low-shedding and this means they are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. If you or your children have dog hair allergies, this breed is less likely to trigger symptoms. However, it's important to remember that allergies vary greatly from person to person, and there's no such thing as an 'allergy-free' dog breed.

It's best to spend some time around any breed you are considering BEFORE buying a puppy, that way you can find out exactly how you're affected by them.

If this breed sees a sudden growth in popularity, finding a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder may become a bit more difficult. Poor breeding practices fueled by the prospect of a quick financial profit, have been responsible for a decrease in the overall health and looks of many breeds in the past.

If you decide that a Portuguese Water Dog is the one for you, take the time to find a responsible breeder with dogs who have been screened for potential genetic/hereditary conditions, and who offers a health contract.

Some conditions that may be found in this breed, and for which screening is available for breeding stock, include Hip Dysplasia, GM1 Storage Disease, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), and Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy. If the breeder you're talking to asks you a lot of questions, that's a good sign... it means that she really cares about the homes her puppies go to.

When it comes to the adoption v purchase issue, there are some very strong feelings on both sides! There are thousands of dogs in shelters and pounds all around the country who are in desperate need of loving homes, and they're almost always there through no fault of their own.

Adoption should always be considered when you're adding a new puppy/dog to the family, even if you have your heart set on a purebreed, because there are many purebred rescue organizations.

However, Portuguese Water Dogs are not in the same position as, say, Labrador Retrievers. There simply isn't the same number (or even close to it!) of puppies or dogs looking for new homes as there is with the more popular and well known breeds. Finding a Portuguese Water Dog breeder in your area is going to be a challenge, and the chances of finding a purebred PWD being in a local rescue center or pound are very slim.

There may be mixed-breed pups who have Portuguese Water Dog ancestry, and these will make just as wonderful a pet as any purebred puppy - but, if you want a purebred pup who can be registered, buying from a reputable breeder is probably going to be your best option.

So, IS the Portuguese Water Dog right for your family and lifestyle?

.... If you've read this whole article and can honestly say that you can provide a Portuguese Water Dog with a home environment where it can thrive, the time and attention it needs, AND you're still in love with that adorable teddy-bear look, I wish you and your new best friend a long and happy life together.

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