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Behavior of Your Portuguese Water Dog
Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your Portuguese Water Dog tick. Among the potential problems discussed are separation anxiety, aggression, chewing, jumping up and food-related behavioral issues.
KENNEL CLUB BOOKS® PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-286-3
eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-971-8
Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books® • An Imprint of I-5 Press™ • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 • USA
Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.
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Photography by Carol Ann Johnson and Karen Taylor with additional photographs by
Mary Bloom, Paulette Braun, T.J. Calhoun, Alan and Sandy Carey, Isabelle Français, Bill Jonas, Jean Claude Revy and Alice van Kempen.
Illustrations by Patricia Peters.
The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners of the dogs featured in this book, including Jayne Johns and Valerie Marthaler.
A Portuguese Water Dog enjoys a romp in the surf. Whether working or playing, the breed has a natural love of water; it is one of the best water retrieving breeds in dogdom.
When one thinks of a sporty, agile retriever, rarely does the Portuguese Water Dog come to mind. Yet this delightful Portuguese breed has many outstanding retriever qualities and is an excellent water dog. The breed’s low profile is a result of its being overshadowed by some of the more recognized hunting dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. However, the breed’s low public profile has probably done it some good over the years. Since it is a relatively rare breed in many countries, it has continued to remain healthy and sound through responsible breeding programs and loyal devotees. Many of the popular breeds suffer from debilitating genetic conditions due to over-breeding practices, a fate that has not darkened the Portuguese Water Dog’s portals.
Although the exact origin of the breed remains a mystery, there are a few theories that have withstood the test of time and have been accepted by most breed historians. The Portuguese Water Dog (or some dogs very closely resembling it) definitely existed over 1,000 years ago. Some breed historians purport that the breed goes back to the eighth century, claiming that these dogs worked alongside fishermen on boats in what is now Portugal. Another theory claims that the confederation of German tribes known as the Goths brought these dogs back from the east. Consider also that the Berbers and their descendants the Moors brought the dogs to Europe via North Africa and Morocco, as one theory suggests. Some of these early dogs may have gone west to Germany and contributed to the gene pool of the Poodle. Certainly the Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog share many like features, not the least of which are their uncanny intelligence and their colorful curly coats.
SWIMMING COUSINS
The Portuguese Water Dog is counted among the curly-coated water dogs who excel at retrieving. Among the related breeds are the Poodle and Barbet of France, the Irish Water Spaniel of Ireland, the Curly-Coated Retriever of the UK, the Perro de Agua (or Spanish Water Dog) of Spain, the Wetterhoun of the Netherlands and the American Water Spaniel of the US. All of these breeds share similar features, including a water-proof coat, exceptional swimming ability and uncanny intelligence.
As their name suggests, the Portuguese Water Dogs were—and continue to be—superb swimmers. In Portugal, the breed is known as the “Cão de Agua,” which translates as “dog of the water.” They were used on fishing boats and were sent to retrieve various items in what were sometimes adverse water conditions. These dogs retrieved damaged fishing nets and other fishing tackle. In addition, they also used their herding ability to gather the day’s catch in nets. Occasionally they were even used to send messages between boats or to the shoreline. Despite their usefulness, the breed was eventually replaced by modern fishing techniques and equipment, which nearly caused their extinction.
Many believe that the Newfoundland and Chesapeake Bay Retriever may have influenced the later development of the Portuguese Water Dog, as these two breeds have many of the same physical characteristics as today’s Portuguese Water Dog. Although there is no substantial evidence that these breeds were responsible for the Portuguese Water Dog’s development, many breed historians believe there is a distinct connection.
INFLUENTIAL DOGS AND BREEDERS
Most of the modern influential Portuguese Water Dog breeders and their established stock can be traced back to the early 1930s. A dog named Leao is accepted as the founding sire of the modern Portuguese Water Dog. A gentleman by the name of Vasco Bensaude from Portugal, who was a shipping tycoon, acquired Leao from an old fisherman. Leao sired seven litters and was admired for his extraordinary qualities. After watching Leao perform on the old man’s fishing vessel, Bensaude immediately fell in love with the breed.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever may have influenced the development of the Portuguese Water Dog.
CANIS LUPUS
“Grandma, what big teeth you have!” The gray wolf, a familiar figure in fairy tales and legends, has had its reputation tarnished and its population pummeled over the centuries. Yet it is the descendants of this much-feared creature to which we open our homes and hearts. Our beloved dog, Canis domesticus, derives directly from the gray wolf, a highly social canine that lives in elaborately structured packs. In the wild, the gray wolf can range from 60 to 175 pounds, standing between 25 and 40 inches in height.
The Newfoundland has been cited in the ancestry of the Portuguese Water Dog. Three Newfoundland color varieties—Landseer, black and brown—are shown here.
As his interest in the breed flourished, Bensaude developed his Algarbiorum Kennels. He would later become the secretary-general and founder of the Portuguese Water Dog Club. He would hold this position for several years and become a major influential figure in the breed.
As the years passed, Bensaude eventually resigned from his duties as club secretary-general and gradually relinquished his club responsibilities. Fearing the worst, he decided that he would need to go on an intensive search for someone who would be able to care for his dogs and kennel in case of his death. He would later meet up with Senhora Conchita Cintron de Costello Branco, a noted horsewoman, who came highly recommended from his veterinarian. After meeting with Bensaude, Cintron accepted the responsibility and agreed to tend to Bensaude’s kennel of dogs upon his death.
ORIGINS
Although a Portuguese