Portuguese Water Dog
Height
20-23 inches (male), 17-21 inches (female)
Weight
42-60 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
11-13 years
Size
Medium
About the Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dogs are athletic, people-oriented working dogs with a low-shed curly coat and a strong pull toward activity. They fit best with households that want a highly trainable companion for daily exercise, water play, and regular grooming instead of a low-maintenance dog.
The Good
- Very trainable and eager to work with their people
- Low-shed coat leaves less loose hair around the house than many medium breeds
- Athletic build suits homes that want hiking, swimming, or dog-sport potential
The Bad
- Coat upkeep is real work even though shedding stays low
- High energy and brain needs can turn into boredom fast if the routine slips
- Health screening matters because hip, eye, and storage-disease issues can appear in the breed
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