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 

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.