Wheatley Waterdogs

FOLLOW US ONTwitterFacebook

  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • NeivaClick to open the Neiva menu
    • Neiva's Scents of Smell
  • OshunClick to open the Oshun menu
    • Oshun's Born To Sniff
  • Deacon
  • cortina (bo)Click to open the cortina (bo) menu
    • Bo's Beauties
    • Bo's Photo Album
    • Bo's Christmas Wish
    • Bo's Christmas Wish - Photo Gallery
    • Bo's Shakespearean Play
    • Bo's Polar Cubs
  • zoeClick to open the zoe menu
    • Zoe's Photo Album
    • Zoe's Reindeer Games
    • Zoe's Reinder Games Photos
    • Zoe's Mardi Gras Krewes
    • Zoe's Polar Vortex
    • Zoe's Lonestar State
  • sailorClick to open the sailor menu
    • sailor's precious gems
    • sailor's olympic dream team
    • sailor's photo album
    • sailor's twilight
    • sailor's dozen
    • sailor's last roundup
  • ivoryClick to open the ivory menu
    • ivory's photo album
    • ivory's fabulous four litter
  • puppy partyClick to open the puppy party menu
    • puppy party 2009
  • Calendar
  • About PWD'sClick to open the About PWD's menu
    • Health
  • About PuppiesClick to open the About Puppies menu
    • new puppy - what to expect
    • crate training
  • Portugal
  • Links
  • Contact Us

History

Temperment

 

PWD's are intelligent, excellent with children, other dogs and household pets. They are obedient, responsive and are excellent companions for active people.

 

They are loving, intelligent and enjoy being a close member of the family.  The PWD is always at your side and will stay within close proximity of their owners both inside and out.  This is typical of the breed as they love attention and want to be with you participating in all of your activities.   

 

As a result, they are very excited to welcome you home.  As a way of controlling their enthusiasm, they will likely be seen carrying a toy around in their mouth.  At our house, whenever someone comes home or a guest arrives, Sailor promptly picks up the freshest shoe and proudly carries it around the house signaling that she is delighted you have arrived and she is excited to see you.

    Hair 

     

    Most people are delighted to know that their hair is non-shedding and hypo-allergenic. 

     

    The Portuguese Water Dog's hair is generally worn in a "retriever cut" or a "lion cut." In the lion cut, the hindquarters, muzzle, and the base of the tail are shaved and the rest of the body is left full length. This cut originated with the fishing dogs of Portugal to keep the body warm while allowing movement of the back legs. The end of the tail is kept long, because in those days, the fishermen sometimes didn't know how to swim, and the dog could pull them to safety with its tail. The retriever cut is left 1" (2.5 cm) long, evenly over the body. This cut is a more recent style and originated because breeders wanted to make the breed more appealing and less unusual looking for buyers.

     

    Coat Types

     

    The Portuguese Water Dog's coat varies in type from: 

    • Curly coat - compact, cylindrical curls, and thick

    • Wavy coat - loose and wavy

     

     

    Colours

     

    PWD's come in a variety of colours including black, white, light brown as well as combinations of brown or black with white.

     

    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 (19-25kg)
    Females between 35 and 50 pounds (16-22kg)

     

     

     

     

    Originating back to the 1500s in Portugal, Portuguese Water Dogs were originally used by fishermen.  They were used to send messages between boats, herd fish into the nets, to retrieve fish and articles from the water, and to guard the fishing boats. They also helped to bring in nets and to save fishermen when they fell in the water. They were very popular, and this might be where they picked up their loyal and dependable characteristics.  

     

     

    Eventually commercial fishing equipment made the dogs unnecessary.

     


     

    Copyright 2011 Wheatley Waterdogs. All rights reserved.

    Web Hosting by Yahoo!

    FOLLOW US ONTwitterFacebook