Portuguese Water Dog Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Ideas

Portuguese Water Dog Summary

The Portuguese Water Dog, as its identify suggests, naturally takes to the water. Originally bred in Portugal, these hardy dogs discovered work all alongside the Portuguese coast, serving to fishermen in a wide range of methods, Adept on land and within the sea, these agile dogs may drive fish proper into their house owners’ nets, and so they made fast work of retrieving misplaced objects. With curly, non-shedding coats just like these of their shut kin, Spanish Water Dog and the poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog has grow to be fairly the favored pet for folks with allergic reactions. Extremely smart and easily trainedthese dogs make an important addition to the household.

Portuguese Water Dog Growth and Weight Chart by Age

The chart under reveals the common weight vary for Portuguese Water Dogs at varied ages. Females typically weigh a bit lower than males all through their development cycle. The measurement of individual Portuguese Water Dogs could differ, however this chart will give house owners a good suggestion of what to anticipate.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Stop Growing

Growth occurs progressively on this breed throughout their first 12 months. They ought to see the vet about as soon as a month through the first 4 months, after which yearly after that. Your Portuguese Water Dog’s development ought to degree off by the point it reaches about 8 to 12 months of age. They have a tendency to realize their full grownup weight by the point they attain 18 months.

You ought to feed your grownup Portuguese Water Dog two meals per day. The complete quantity of meals will depend on your canine’s measurement, their exercise degree, and the actual kind of meals you might be utilizing. Expect to feed your canine a complete of about 2 to three cups of high-quality meals per day. Make positive to test the feeding directions and feed in response to your canine’s measurement. Avoid overfeeding, which might result in weight problems, diabetes, and different well being points.

How Big Will My Portuguese Water Dog Be When It’s Fully Grown?

The measurement of a completely grown Portuguese Water Dog largely will depend on its intercourse. These dogs normally weigh between about 35 to 60 pounds at maturity. Females are likely to weigh between about 35 to 50 kilos, whereas males common about 42 to 60 kilos. At maturity, a Portuguese Water Dog ought to stand between about 17 and 23 inches tall. Again, females are typically smaller, reaching heights of about 17 to 21 inches, whereas males attain heights of round 20 to 23 inches.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Be Spayed or Neutered

Portuguese Water Dogs had been as soon as thought of the rarest canine breed on the earth. As just lately as 1981, solely 85 of these dogs remained on the earth. The breed almost grew to become extinct. Owners banded collectively and labored to rigorously breed the remaining inventory. Today, the variety of dogs of this breed has elevated, however breeders nonetheless face many challenges, because the gene pool stays small.

If you personal a wholesome Portuguese Water Dog with out one of many genetic defects that breeders have diligently labored to keep away from, chances are you’ll not want to spay or neuter your canine, a minimum of till you might have responsibly bred a litter or two. However, if you don’t plan to breed your canine, whether or not attributable to genetic defects or just a scarcity of need to convey puppies into the world, it is best to spay or neuter the animal. The greatest timing for this process could also be between about 11 and 23 months of age, in response to the American Kennel Club.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Be House Broken?

You can begin housetraining your puppy as quickly as you convey it home. Many house owners advocate combining potty coaching and crate coaching. Be as constant as you’ll be able to, taking your puppy exterior as quickly as you stand up within the morning and at common intervals all through the day. Remember that puppies can’t wait greater than 3 or 4 hours to go potty. Don’t use punishment to potty practice your canine. Instead, use constant routines and rewards for a job effectively carried out. Be affected person and don’t count on to see nice progress till the puppy is about 16 weeks old. Before that point, it lacks the bladder management to persistently make it exterior.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Stop Eating Puppy Food?

You ought to swap your Portuguese Water Dog from puppy meals to a high-quality grownup pet food, such because the Purina Pro Plan varietiessomeday round 10 to 18 months of age. Switching too early or too late can have a detrimental impact in your canine’s well being. If you might be not sure in regards to the timing, err on the facet of warning and follow puppy meals till you’ll be able to communicate along with your veterinarian.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Start Losing Teeth?

Dogs of this breed begin to lose their enamel at round 4 to five months of age. The course of will be fairly painful and may last as long as 6 months. Puppies will chew on absolutely anything they will throughout this time. Put away objects you don’t want destroyed and supply your puppy with plenty of protected chew toys to assist ease their ache.

When Should I Start Training My Portuguese Water Dog?

You can begin coaching your puppy from the time you convey it home. Basic crate coaching and preliminary potty coaching ought to begin instantly. This kind of coaching ought to be carried out gently and persistently, with rewards for good habits and never punishment. You can proceed on to easy coaching, transferring towards extra superior cues as your canine will get older. As extremely smart working dogs, this breed adapts very effectively to actions corresponding to agility coaching. However, watch out to not introduce jumps till the canine is a minimum of a 12 months old, or till allowed by your veterinarian. These can injure a canine’s joints if launched too early.

What Cues Should I Teach My Portuguese Water Dog First?

Simple cues are greatest for coaching your puppy on the earliest ages. Most puppies can study to sit down very simply if offered with a deal with and verbal encouragement. Somewhat reward will help your canine study to remain, lie down, and shake. Try introducing communicate as an early cue. Dogs of this breed are remarkably verbal, and will love speaking for treats. And after all, don’t overlook to work on cues like come, heel, and drop it.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Calm Down?

Like many different working dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs have a whole lot of power whilst adults. They could not begin to relax till they move the 18-month mark, and a few stay as energetic as puppies till they’re 3 or 4 years old. You will help your canine relax by offering it with plenty of train and psychological stimulation. Consider obedience coaching, particularly in case you lack expertise with energetic dogs. And be certain to socialize your canine effectively as a puppy. All of the following tips will enable you to to boost a well-behaved grownup canine that matches into your loved ones fortunately.

Common Health Issues Your Portuguese Water Dog Might Experience

Because members of this breed all come from a really small gene pool, having practically gone extinct within the late 20^th century, they could endure from a lot of widespread and uncommon problems. These well being points can embody weight problems, diabetes, a wide range of eye issues, and Addison’s illness. They are vulnerable to hip dysplasia and different bone and joint points. These dogs could have bowel issues, kidney and bladder points, and bleeding problems. They may additionally endure from most cancers, epilepsy, and different situations. Some critical problems come up from genetic situations. Dogs ought to be examined for these situations earlier than breeding to assist eradicate them from the bloodline.

Pictures of Portuguese Water Dogs as Puppies

Pictures of Portuguese Water Dogs at 6 Months

Pictures of Fully Grown Portuguese Water Dogs

The photograph featured on the prime of this put up is © LynMc42k/iStock by way of Getty Images