The Portuguese Water Dog is an athletic, energetic, and keen canine. The breed is extraordinarily clever and trainable. It was even the canine of selection for former President Barack Obama and his household. Most recognizable for its black and white coat, Portuguese Water Dog colours can differ.
History of the Portuguese Water Dog
The working breed originates from, you guessed it, Portugal, going again so far as 1297. They have been first discovered within the Algarve area on the coast, the place the dogs lived on boats, aiding fishermen with numerous duties and retrieving waterfowl. These dogs additionally would dive underwater to retrieve fishing gear, so the breed is of course an excellent swimmer and excels within the water. The dogs even have webbed ft, highly effective hindquarters, and a rudder-like tail to assist them whereas swimming and diving.
Portuguese Water Dogs are thought-about to be one of many extra hypoallergenic breeds, as their coats are low shedding. Their hair might be just like a Poodle’s with very tight curls, however some Portuguese Water Dogs have extra wavy coats.
These sturdy dogs are good for water-loving households who can sustain with their energetic nature. If you have got a pool at home or dwell on a lake, the Portuguese Water Dog could also be for you. Here’s extra about what they will appear to be.
Rarest: White
A white Portuguese Water Dog is the least widespread shade you’ll see within the breed.
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It’s uncommon, however Portuguese Water Dogs might be totally white. It might be complicated, as a white Portuguese Water Dog might look just like a Poodle. However, the coat and physique kind might be what clarifies the distinction. Portuguese Water Dogs usually have a considerably stocky and stable, muscular body type. Their fur could also be extra wavy than the tight curls you see on Poodles.
Less Common: Tri-Colored
Some Portuguese Water Dogs have a number of colours on their coat, nevertheless it’s not the most typical variation.
©Ami Wells/Shutterstock.com
Some Portuguese Water Dogs have numerous brown, black, and white shades inside their coat. Their markings might be something from a black coat with brown across the face and white on the ft and chest, to a predominately brown canine with some white markings on the chest and ft and a little bit of black on their ears or their face. They might even have shades of black of their fur.
Common: Brown
Portuguese Water Dogs can are available in a wide range of shades of brown, some so darkish they almost look black.
©Nika Stemberger/Shutterstock.com
Solid Brown is the fourth commonest shade for the breed. The tone of brown might be something from deep, darkish brown to a wealthy chocolate brown to tan, or perhaps a “liver” shade. Additionally, brown Portuguese Water Dog puppies might initially be a darkish shade of brown however fade as they develop older.
More Common: Black
Solid black Portuguese Water Dogs are a standard shade for the breed.
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The commonest stable shade for Portuguese Water Dogs is black. A black Portuguese Water canine often has a black nostril and black-colored or darkish brown eyes, as properly. And if you happen to’re curious, the pores and skin of a black or black and white Portuguese Water Dog often has a bluish tone to it.
More Common: Brown With White Markings
Though some Portuguese Water Dogs have light-colored eyes, it’s not thought-about normal.
©Maria Bell/Shutterstock.com
The second commonest shade is a mixture of brown with white markings. Again, the white markings are generally on the chest, face, and ft.
In Portugal, the breed normal mustn’t have greater than 30% white markings. The white markings might be on the chest or the chin, which is nicknamed a “milk chin”.
Most Common: Black With White Markings
When you image a Portuguese Water Dog, you could image the favored black-and-white shade mixture.
©Lynda McFaul/Shutterstock.com
Portuguese Water Dogs are sometimes seen with a shade mixture of black with white markings. It’s one of the widespread colours for the breed. They might have white splashes on their chest, face, and ft. They might also have a splash of white on the tip of their tails.
Though Portuguese Water Dogs are constructed for the water, their lovely fur does require some particular care. Their coat is waterproof and double-coated. They have a dense undercoat that helps maintain them heat in chilly waters. However, this kind of fur can simply mat, so it must be brushed out repeatedly. A coat with mats might be painful for a pup. It would possibly pull on the pores and skin, making the canine extraordinarily uncomfortable.
The curly hair of Portuguese Water Dogs is often worn in just a few other ways. Most pets are likely to have what is known as a “retriever cut”, the place the coat is identical size throughout, round one inch. Some Portuguese Water Dogs put on a lower referred to as the “lion clip. With this fashion, the hindquarters, muzzle, and base of the tail are shaved whereas the remainder of the coat is left lengthy. The authentic objective of this fashion was to assist the dogs transfer extra simply in water and in addition to maintain them heat on the similar time. Whatever fashion they put on, these lovable, sporty dogs want common grooming to be probably the most snug.
The photograph featured on the high of this put up is © LynMc42k/iStock through Getty Images
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