Portuguese Water Dogs

The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed of dog native to Portugal. This breed is also referred to as the Portuguese Fishing Dog and 'Cao de Agua,' meaning dog of water. For centuries, the water dog was a prized dog to the fisherman of Portugal. They would often accompany fisherman on their boats and when it was time, they would dive into the water and herd the fish into the fisherman's nets.

Portuguese Water dogs would also carry and retrieve tackle and equipment that fell into the water as well as deliver messages from one boat to another or to the people on the shore.

As the 20th century approached and technology advanced, the need for the water dog became less and less. The breed began to disappear and they were nearly gone by 1930. Vasco Bensaude, a wealthy businessman, took great interesting in the water dog and began breeding them, bringing them back. The Portuguese Water Dog was in great danger of becoming extinct, now today, there are thousands of them, all over the world.

Portugues Water Dogs are of medium size. Males, on the average, stand between 20 and 23 inches at the shoulders and weight anywhere from 42 to 60 pounds. Females are slightly smaller standing between 17 and 21 inches at the shoulders and weighing between 35 to 50 pounds.

They are a very intelligent breed of dog as well s incredibly spirited, brave, hardworking and above all, loyal. This is not a breed for everyone seeking a dog. They have high levels of energy, making them great working dogs, however they need to be exercised on a daily basis. Kennels are not a suitable place for them. They need to be in a big open area where they can run and burn that energy.

Portuguese Water Dogs do fine with children and most other pets. They like to be close to their owners and feel like they are part of the family. For those who suffer from allergies, this may be a good breed for you. They have either a curly or straight coat and are a non-shedding, leaving less dog hair and dander for one to breath in.

Portuguese Water Dogs live an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years and remain very active, well into their senior years. As with most purebreds, the water dog does have some health concerns including Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Addison's Disease, Storage Disease (fatal nerve disease) and distichiasis.

The Portuguese Water Dog is recognized by the following organizations: CKC, FCI, UKC, KCGB, NKC, NZKC, PWDCAI, APRI and ACR.

sources:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com
http://www.petplace.com/dogs
http://www.petside.com/breeds/portuguese-water-dog.php