Thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders and fanciers, the Portuguese Water Dog is generally hardy and long-lived—and he’s certainly happy about it!
Hindquarters: Powerful; well balanced with the front assembly. Legs, viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other, straight and very strongly muscled in upper and lower thighs. Buttocks are well developed. Tendons and hocks are strong. Metatarsus long, no dewclaws. Feet similar in all respects to forefeet.
Dog in profile—curly coat, retriever clip. A particolor dog showing correct type, proportion and substance.
Coat: A profuse, thickly planted coat of strong, healthy hair, covering the whole body evenly, except where the forearm meets the brisket and in the groin area, where it is thinner. No undercoat, mane or ruff. There are two varieties of coat: Curly—Compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless. The hair on the ears is sometimes wavy. Wavy—Falling gently in waves, not curls, and with a slight sheen. No preference will be given to coat type, either curly or wavy.
Clip: Two clips are acceptable: Lion Clip—As soon as the coat grows long, the middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle, are clipped. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. Retriever Clip—In order to give a natural appearance and a smooth unbroken line, the entire coat is scissored or clipped to follow the outline of the dog, leaving a short blanket of coat no longer than one inch in length. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. No discrimination will be made against the correct presentation of a dog in either Lion Clip or Retriever Clip.
Color: Black, white, and various tones of brown; also combinations of black or brown with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth, and eyelids are black. In animals with black, white, or black and white coats, the skin is decidedly bluish.
Gait: Short, lively steps when walking. The trot is a forward striding, well balanced movement.
Temperament: An animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion, it obeys its master with facility and apparent pleasure. It is obedient with those who look after it or with those for whom it works.
Summary Statement: The Portuguese Water Dog is spirited yet obedient, robust, and of unexaggerated, functional conformation; sure, substantially boned and muscled, and able to do a full day’s work in and out of the water.
Faults: Any deviation from the described ideal is a fault. However, those inherent characteristics that are imperative for the maintenance of proper type, and therefore cannot be overlooked, are listed as Major Faults.
Major Faults:
1. Temperament—Shy, vicious, or unsound behavior.
2. Head—Unimpressive; small in overall size; narrow in topskull; snipy in muzzle.
3. Substance—Light or refined in bone; lacking in muscle.
4. Coat—Sparse; naturally short, close-lying hair, partially or over all; wispy or wiry in texture; brittle; double-coated.
5. Tail—Other than as described. Extremely low set. Heavy or droopy in action.
6. Pigment—Any deviation from described pigmentation; other than black or various tones of brown eye color; pink or partial pigmentation in nose, lips, eyes, or eye rims.
7. Bite—Overshot or undershot.
Approved January 15, 1991 Effective February 27, 1991
WHERE TO BEGIN?
If you are convinced that the Portuguese Water Dog is the ideal dog for you, it’s time to learn about where to find a puppy and what to look for. Although you may not find too many breeders who have a long standing in the breed, as the Portuguese Water Dog is still a relative youngster with regard to AKC recognition, you still must find a responsible breeder with outstanding dog ethics and a strong commitment to the breed. New owners should have as many questions as they have doubts. A dedicated breeder is indeed the one to answer your four million questions and make you comfortable with your choice of this enchanting breed, the Portuguese Water Dog.
THE FAMILY TREE
Your puppy’s pedigree is his family tree. Just as a child may resemble his parents and grandparents, so too will a puppy reflect the qualities, good and bad, of his ancestors, especially those in the first two generations. Therefore, it’s important to know as much as possible about a puppy’s immediate relatives. Reputable and experienced breeders should be able to explain the pedigree and why they chose to breed from the particular dogs they used.
When choosing a breeder, reputation is much more important than convenience of location. Choosing a breeder wisely is an important first step in dog ownership. Fortunately, the majority of Portuguese Water Dog breeders are devoted to the breed and its well-being. The AKC and Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) are trusted sources for breeder referrals. PWDCA member breeders are obliged to uphold a stringent code of ethics in their breeding programs. Potential owners are encouraged to attend dog shows (or agility trials or water-dog events) to see the Portuguese Water Dogs in action, to meet the owners and handlers firsthand and to get an idea of what PWDs look like outside a photographer’s lens. Provided you approach the handlers when they are not busy with the dogs, most are more than willing to answer questions, recommend breeders and give advice.
FINDING A QUALIFIED BREEDER
Before you begin your puppy search, ask for references from your veterinarian and perhaps other breeders to refer you to someone they believe is reputable. Responsible breeders usually raise only one or two breeds of dog. Avoid any breeder who has several different breeds or has several litters at the same time. Dedicated breeders are usually involved with a breed or other dog club. Many participate in some sport or activity related to their breed. Just as you want to be assured of the breeder’s qualifications, the breeder wants to be assured that you will make a worthy owner. Expect the breeder to interview you, asking questions about your goals for the pup, your experience with dogs and what kind of home you will provide.
Once you have contacted and met a breeder or two and made your choice about which breeder is best suited to your needs, it’s time to visit the litter. Don’t be surprised if the breeders have waiting lists. Sometimes new owners have to wait over a year for a puppy. If you are really committed to the breeder whom you’ve selected, then you will wait. If you’ve done your homework and chosen the breeder with care, your wait will be worth it!
Breeders commonly allow visitors to see the litter by around the fifth or sixth week, and puppies leave for their new homes between the eighth and tenth week. Breeders who permit their puppies to leave early are more interested in a profit than their puppies’ well-being. Puppies need to learn the rules of the pack from their dams, and most dams continue teaching the pups manners and dos and don’ts until at least the eighth week. Breeders spend significant amounts of time with the Portuguese Water Dog toddlers so that they are able to interact with the “other species,” i.e. humans. Given the long history that dogs and humans have, bonding between the two species is natural but must be nurtured. A well-bred, well-socialized Portuguese Water Dog pup wants