11 Jan Interesting Facts about the Portuguese Water Dog Breed

The Portuguese water dog breed is prevalent among humans; because they have no undercoat and are rarely shed. This is one of the very positive features of this dog breed that has interested people in him. These dogs have a very furry and cute appearance that has attracted many people. This breed of dog needs a lot of exercise and movement, and it’s perfect for people interested in walking and active sports. Also,  these cute dogs are very fond of water and swimming, and you can take them with you on your water activities and enjoy spending time with them. If you are interested in this breed, stay tuned to learn more.

Getting to know the Portuguese water dog breed

There are different dog breeds worldwide, some of which have a long history and are considered pure. Portuguese water dogs are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, which are known by other names such as Cao de agua dogs. Each breed of dog is famous for its unique characteristics and features. The most crucial part that has made Portuguese water dogs one of the most popular pet dogs today is their attractive appearance and curly hair. This breed of dog is brilliant and social and responds well to any training.

They have good friendships with humans. It’s better to know that the origin of the Portuguese water dog breed goes back to Portugal. This dog is one of the rare breeds which has become very popular among people because of his distinct traits, such as cleverness, agility, high mobility, guarding and rescue. In the past, this breed of dog was a working dog that was taken with fishermen for fishing; because he had a great interest and talent in water and swimming. 

Portuguese water dog weight and lifespan 

The size of the Portuguese water dog is medium and relatively large. Its average weight is 35 to 60 pounds. But it’s better to know that in this breed, male and female dogs have a clear difference in size, weight and height; males are usually between fifty and fifty-seven centimetres tall, and their average weight generally varies between nineteen and twenty-three kilograms. At the same time, females are between 43 and 52 cm tall and weigh between 16 and 23 kg. Regarding the lifespan of this dog breed, it should be said that the age of each is approximate and relative and depends on various conditions and factors.

If the quality and conditions of their lives are ideal and suitable, the percentage of their life expectancy increases. While various factors such as accidents and diseases, as well as living conditions, are also very effective in reducing their lifespan, they may die earlier than expected. This breed of dog lives between 10 and 14 years. This dog’s hair is dense, wavy and short, can even be curly, and is hypoallergenic. The Portuguese water dog is trendy, brilliant, and needs high mobility. You can take him with you on daily sports and walks. Also, he’s very social and has a good relationship with humans. So you can easily communicate with him.

Living in an apartment

Portuguese water dogs were bred as working dogs and used for various tasks. But today, they have become one of the most popular dog breeds as pets. There are many factors influencing this popularity, some of which are related to temperament and behaviour, and another part is related to the care and health status of the Portuguese water dog. They are very social and behave peacefully with humans, children and other animals. They love the company of humans so much that a few hours of solitude may turn them into destructive dogs.

In terms of health, they are also in a completely ideal and suitable condition because their mouths are very little drooling. More importantly, they don’t have hair loss at all. A factor that has caused even people who are allergic to dog hair to be able to keep this dog breed in their homes. The Portuguese water dog is intelligent and prone to high mobility, so you must have enough space for his activity. Also, this dog is significant, and keeping him inside the apartment is difficult. You can create a more suitable space to save this rare breed. Also, the dog is very fond of water and swimming, so you can take him with you in your water activities and enjoy spending time with him.

Nutrition

Dogs, like humans, need water, minerals, protein, dog vitamins, fibre, and carbohydrates, and we need to provide these substances through dog food. Also, this breed of dog, which is very active, requires more energy. Nutrition has a solid relationship with the health of this dog breed, and you should be very careful in feeding them. The best energy-rich foods for dogs include meat, rice, carrots, fats, etc. But vets and nutritionists always emphasize that the best foods for different breeds of dogs, especially purebred breeds, are prepared and commercial foods. Besides having all the substances needed by the dog’s body, this food will prevent obesity and excess weight.

Therefore, it’s better to provide your dog with two and a half to three cups of commercial food in the form of two meals daily. Of course, it goes without saying that the higher the food quality, the longer the dog will feel full, and on the other hand, poor quality food causes the dog to starve early. Therefore, buying food for Portuguese water dogs from a reputable commercial brand is better. 

The best climate for a Portuguese water dog

The Portuguese water dog breed is a very adaptable breed that is better to be kept in a favourable climate. He has a good heat tolerance and can handle hot weather to some extent, but he doesn’t tolerate extreme heat. Also, this breed has a very high cold tolerance and can control cold temperatures. The best climate for the Portuguese water dog breed is a temperate climate that is neither too hot nor too cold.

Is the Portuguese Blue dog hypoallergenic?

This dog is a hypoallergenic breed that sheds very little hair, or we can even say it doesn’t shed. This issue is one of the reasons for the popularity of this breed, which doesn’t cause any sensitivity. So you can easily enjoy being with these creatures. The Portuguese water dog is a very active and energetic creature and is also very fond of swimming, which makes it very attractive and enjoyable to be with him.

Grooming

For your dog to not get sick and be healthy, it’s necessary to follow health and care tips. In this regard, you should know that cleaning ears, nails and teeth must be done regularly, two to three times a week; Because these parts of the body are very susceptible to germs and disease, and if germs accumulate, it will cause illness. Because they love swimming and bathing, if you have a unique pool for them, it should be clean and fresh water so as not to cause skin infections in the dog.

As we said, they have two types of coverage: some have entirely curly hair, and some have wavy hair. In both cases, they have fast hair growth. So if you don’t trim and brush them regularly, the dog’s vision will be disturbed, and their body will have acute skin problems. Therefore, it’s recommended to cut the dog’s hair once every two months and brush his body hair every other day to collect dead hair.

Compatibility of the Portuguese water dog with children and other animals

Even though Portuguese water dogs are in the category of working dogs, they have very high social relations that establish good relations with humans. They enjoy playing and having fun with children; they will get along well if you have another pet at home. So you won’t have any problems in this regard. Of course, it should be noted that these dogs must be trained from a young age to live in a group and socialize. If they aren’t adequately prepared, they will be aloof and isolated dogs and won’t be very interested in being in the crowd.

Health and diseases

It’s better to know that most pure breeds of dogs have high physical endurance and are less likely to get sick. Still, some of them suffer from underlying and hereditary diseases that unfortunately can’t be diagnosed until they are two years old. There are also genetic diseases in the Portuguese water dog breed, including cataract disease and hip dysplasia, which is congenitally transmitted to puppies.

To wrap up

If you’re looking for a calm and obedient dog, the Portuguese water dog may not be for you. They have a unique sense of humour that isn’t always pleasing to some people. Daily exercise is an absolute necessity for this breed. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs, so they count the moments before the next session.