Grooming
There’s no beating around the bush—Portuguese Water Dogs’ coats can get a bit unruly without regular maintenance and extensive grooming, ideally by a professional. Porties feature two types of coat textures—curly or wavy—groomed in two different fur styles (fun!). The lion clip is when the fur on the muzzle and hindquarters is clipped close to the skin. The retriever clip is where the entire coat is trimmed to one inch in length, except for the tail tip, which remains full-length.
Aside from a clip at the groomer’s every month or so, a Portie needs:
Daily brushing with a slicker brush
Daily teeth brushing with flavored toothpaste, as well as annual professional cleanings at the veterinarian
Monthly baths with a mild shampoo to keep tangles at bay
Weekly ear cleaning to avoid infections (signs of trouble include excessive scratching, whining and head shaking)
Round off their grooming ritual with a nail trim every month or when you hear your pet’s tapping paws from any room in your home, whichever comes first.
Despite their grooming needs, the good news is that these curly mops have no undercoat and shedding is minimal. This Portuguese Water Dog quality makes them a popular choice for folks with dog allergies. However, do keep in mind that no breed is 100-percent hypoallergenic.
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Training
Brilliant and playful pups like the Portuguese Water Dog breed are an absolute joy to be around. However, since they’re capable of thinking independently, it’s not uncommon for untrained Porties to challenge the will of their pet parent despite their hunger for attention and affection.
Luckily, you can use their enthusiastic work ethic and eager-to-please nature to your advantage. Training a Portuguese Water Dog is easy: They’re quick to understand commands and respond well to positive reinforcement training using treats and toys. This makes them ideal candidates for learning skills in obedience (tasks like sit, jump, fetch, everything short of making cocktails), agility sports (a series of timed obstacle courses) and of course, dog sports like dock diving (high jumping into water) or even service training like seizure detection.
While they generally do well with children and other pets, most Portuguese Water Dogs require some training to become the best family member they can be. It’s a good idea to invest in a qualified trainer or behaviorist during your Portie’s puppyhood; a well-trained Portie makes a fun companion for families with the stamina to keep up.
Make sure your Portuguese Water Dog puppy is well-socialized from the start by taking them around town to meet all walks of life and by enrolling them in puppy preschool where their fun-loving nature will have them full of furry friends in no time at all.
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Diet
A balanced Portuguese Water Dog diet that includes high-quality dog food is usually recommended. Before buying, remember to consider your dog’s age and choose a formula befitting their particular stage in life, whether that’s puppy, adult or senior.
Since Porties are so active, some may do best on a high-protein diet. Others have a tendency to pack on the pounds. If that’s the case, monitor your dog’s treat intake—while they can be instrumental in training, they’re also high in calories. The bottom line? Each dog is an individual, so chat with your veterinarian about your pet’s particular needs. They can help you design the best course of action when it comes to the ideal diet for your canine bestie.
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Exercise
You’re probably getting the picture by now—the exercise needs of Portuguese Water Dogs, at least 45-60 minutes per day, are high. Although they make outstanding running buddies, a quick daily walk or run around the yard, no matter the speed, will not cut it for this athletic breed.
Due to their high intelligence (they rank near the top compared to many other dog breeds) and people-pleasing ways, Porties enjoy mentally stimulating games such as hide-and-go-seek and treasure hunting. However, regardless of the games they play, Portuguese Water Dogs thrive when paired with active pet parents who love spending time with them and can find creative ways to keep their Porties busy and engaged. Otherwise, they might find other ways to burn energy, which may or may not involve chewing up your new shoes.
Taking frequent family adventures is also a great way to keep these energetic dogs content. They’d love nothing more than to assist you on a long hike in the mountains or a visit to the beach. And don’t forget to leave time to stop at a lake or take a dip in the sea. Your heart will swell with pride watching your trusty sidekick go for a swim. For Porties, their happy place is in the water.
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Environment
If Portuguese Water Dogs were to design their dream home, they would definitely want it to have access to a body of water for lots of swim time, whether that’s in a pond, lake or even a pool. In reality, though, it doesn’t matter if they’re in a city or on a farm—Portuguese Water Dogs need plenty of structured activities to stay in peak form. Of course, plenty of space is ideal for this medium-sized breed, but they can get by in a small apartment with the guidance of an experienced and highly active pet parent.
These strong, medium-sized dogs also do well with lots of space (think suburbia or the country) but can make do with a small apartment provided their pup parents are constantly running, hiking, camping or, you guessed it, swimming. Porties are really in their element in the water and make ideal beach buddies (or pool pals). Simply putting your Portuguese Water Dog in a backyard, no matter how much space you have, won’t do; it just doesn’t provide the type of stimulation these busy bees crave.
Porties make loyal family pets who are friendly with kids and the cats and dogs they grew up with. However, they can be a bit suspicious of strangers since they’re so devoted to their pet parents. Don’t worry—it’s an easy fix if your pup exhibits these tendencies because this breed is super bright and easy to train.
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