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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+5
Dogs
# The Portuguese Water Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Portugal
A sporty, loyal dog and excellent swimmer, very attached to its family.
Size MediumLife expectancy 10–14 yearsBudget ≈ €107/monthPuppy €800 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=portuguese-water-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very good swimmer: Its history as an aquatic working dog makes it a companion that is naturally at ease in the water.
- Intelligent and docile: It learns willingly and generally responds well to positive and consistent training.
- Very low shedding: It sheds little hair, which often makes household maintenance easier.
- High activity needs: He does not cope well with an overly sedentary life and needs substantial daily exercise.
- Significant human presence: He may not handle prolonged isolation well and seeks real closeness with his family.
- Hereditary health vigilance: Certain genetic diseases require choosing the breeding kennel with great care.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active families: This breed is well suited to households able to provide outings, play, and daily companionship.
- Water sports enthusiasts: Its natural ease in the water makes it a highly appreciated partner for athletic owners.
- Owners committed to training: Its intelligence is fully expressed with a consistent framework and regular learning.
Not recommended for
- People who are often absent: He does not cope well with repeated solitude and needs frequent interactions.
- Very sedentary households: Without sufficient activity, he risks boredom and troublesome behaviors.
- Small homes without serious outings: An apartment may be suitable only if physical and mental exercise are genuinely ensured.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
50 cmPortuguese Water Dog
- Height at the withers
- 43–57 cm
- Weight
- 16–25 kg
- Coat
- Curly or wavy, dense, without undercoat
- FCI group
- 8
- Origin
- Portugal
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Portuguese Water Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Portuguese Water Dog is an ancient breed whose historical cradle is located in the Algarve, in the south of Portugal. Developed from local dogs with a probable influence of the Barbet, it long accompanied fishermen to retrieve fish, carry messages between boats and the shore, and watch over the equipment. Its traditional role declined with the modernization of fishing, but the breed was preserved and then spread internationally. The FCI recognized it definitively in 1955.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog, solid, harmonious and well muscled. Its body is built for endurance and swimming, with a well let-down chest, a straight back, a powerful neck and a strong tail carried in a ring when it is attentive. Its coat is abundant, dense and devoid of undercoat, with two accepted varieties, one wavy and long, the other shorter and curly. The most frequent colors are black, brown or white, sometimes with white markings.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Very intelligent, willing and docile, the Portuguese Water Dog combines enthusiasm for work and deep attachment to its owner. It is loyal, courageous and well-balanced, while generally remaining sociable with its family and able to live well with other animals when properly socialized. Its active temperament and liveliness make it a pleasant companion for present and dynamic households.
Playful Intelligent Easy to train Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Portuguese Water Dog needs daily interactions and does not tolerate boredom or prolonged isolation well. It likes to swim, play, explore and take part in family life. In a house with a garden, it must not be left alone outside for long hours, because it seeks above all the closeness of its humans. In the city, it can adapt if its outings are regular, varied and sufficiently stimulating.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Portuguese Water Dog is generally accessible thanks to its intelligence, its desire to please and its good receptiveness to work. A consistent, early method based on positive reinforcement gives excellent results. It is useful to start socialization early, notably with strangers and lively environments, in order to maintain a well-balanced and confident dog.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Portuguese Water Dog
The purchase price of the Portuguese Water Dog varies mainly depending on the quality of the lineage, the seriousness of the breeding and the health guarantees provided. A breed still relatively uncommon, it may require patience to find a well-selected breeder.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-water-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Portuguese Water Dog is generally robust and hardy, but like many selected breeds, it has hereditary predispositions that justify careful monitoring. Serious selection of breeding dogs, regular ear care and periodic veterinary check-ups help to better prevent or detect early several problems known in the breed.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-water-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Portuguese Water Dog needs a good-quality diet adapted to its age, its weight and above all its activity level. A naturally athletic dog, it benefits from a balanced ration that supports its muscle mass, its recovery and the health of its skin and coat.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-water-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Emblematic breed of the Portuguese coastline, the Portuguese Water Dog long served as an assistant to fishermen thanks to its swimming abilities and its keen sense of smell. It gained more recent worldwide visibility after the adoption of a representative of the breed by Barack Obama's family, which helped to make this dog, still relatively rare outside Portugal, better known.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Portuguese Water Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Portuguese Water Dog suited to family life?
Yes, provided that the family is available and active. It is a loyal dog, close to its family and generally pleasant with children when it is well trained and properly exercised.
### Does it shed a lot?
No, it is known for shedding very little, which makes daily life easier and may suit some sensitive people, without guaranteeing the complete absence of an allergic reaction.
### Can it live in an apartment?
Yes, but it is not its ideal setting. It needs long outings, regular activities and a real human presence to thrive in an urban environment.
## Find a Portuguese Water Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Portuguese Water Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Portuguese Water Dog breeders by country
[27 breeders of Portuguese Water Dog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/germany) [10 breeders of Portuguese Water Dog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/austria) [3 breeders of Portuguese Water Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog) [2 breeders of Portuguese Water Dog in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/denmark) [1 breeder of Portuguese Water Dog in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/croatia) [1 breeder of Portuguese Water Dog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/netherlands) [1 breeder of Portuguese Water Dog in Portugal](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/portugal) [1 breeder of Portuguese Water Dog in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog/united-kingdom)
[All breeders of Portuguese Water Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Portuguese Water Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-portuguese-water-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[Lagotto Romagnolo
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/lagotto-romagnolo)
[Barbet
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/barbet)
[American Water Spaniel
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-water-spaniel)
[Spanish Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-water-dog)
[Frisian Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/frisian-water-dog)
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