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

Portuguese Water Dog Summary

The Portuguese Water Dog, as its title 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 might drive fish proper into their homeowners’ nets, and so they made fast work of retrieving misplaced gadgets. With curly, non-shedding coats just like these of their shut kinfolk, Spanish Water Dog and the poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog has change into fairly the favored pet for individuals with allergic reactions. Extremely smart and easily trained, these dogs make an excellent addition to the household.

Portuguese Water Dog Growth and Weight Chart by Age

The chart beneath reveals the typical weight vary for Portuguese Water Dogs at numerous ages. Females typically weigh a bit lower than males all through their development cycle. The measurement of individual Portuguese Water Dogs might fluctuate, however this chart will give homeowners a good suggestion of what to anticipate.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Stop Growing

Growth occurs step by step on this breed throughout their first 12 months. They ought to see the vet about as soon as a month throughout the first 4 months, after which yearly after that. Your Portuguese Water Dog’s development ought to stage off by the point it reaches about 8 to 12 months of age. They have a tendency to achieve 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 relies on your canine’s measurement, their exercise stage, and the actual kind of meals you’re utilizing. Expect to feed your canine a complete of about 2 to three cups of high-quality meals per day. Make certain to examine the feeding directions and feed in line with 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 relies on its intercourse. These dogs normally weigh between about 35 to 60 pounds at maturity. Females are inclined 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 have been as soon as thought of the rarest canine breed on the earth. As 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 fastidiously 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, you could not want to spay or neuter your canine, no less than till you may have responsibly bred a litter or two. However, if you don’t plan to breed your canine, whether or not resulting from genetic defects or just a scarcity of want to deliver puppies into the world, you need to spay or neuter the animal. The finest timing for this process could also be between about 11 and 23 months of age, in line with the American Kennel Club.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Be House Broken?

You can begin housetraining your puppy as quickly as you deliver it home. Many homeowners advocate combining potty coaching and crate coaching. Be as constant as you’ll be able to, taking your puppy outdoors as quickly as you rise up within the morning and at common intervals all through the day. Remember that puppies can not wait greater than 3 or 4 hours to go potty. Don’t use punishment to potty prepare your canine. Instead, use constant routines and rewards for a job nicely executed. Be affected person and don’t anticipate to see nice progress till the puppy is about 16 weeks old. Before that point, it lacks the bladder management to persistently make it outdoors.

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 varieties, someday 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’re not sure in regards to the timing, err on the facet of warning and persist with puppy meals till you’ll be able to communicate together with your veterinarian.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Start Losing Teeth?

Dogs of this breed begin to lose their tooth at round 4 to five months of age. The course of might be fairly painful and might last as long as 6 months. Puppies will chew on absolutely anything they’ll throughout this time. Put away objects you do not need destroyed and supply your puppy with numerous 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 deliver it home. Basic crate coaching and preliminary potty coaching ought to begin instantly. This kind of coaching ought to be executed gently and persistently, with rewards for good conduct 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 nicely to actions comparable to agility coaching. However, watch out to not introduce jumps till the canine is no less than 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 finest for coaching your puppy on the earliest ages. Most puppies can be taught to sit down very simply if offered with a deal with and verbal encouragement. A little bit reward may also help your canine be taught to remain, lie down, and shake. Try introducing communicate as an early cue. Dogs of this breed are remarkably verbal, and should love speaking for treats. And in fact, 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 variety of vitality at the same time as adults. They might 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 may also help your canine relax by offering it with numerous train and psychological stimulation. Consider obedience coaching, particularly if you happen to lack expertise with energetic dogs. And be certain to socialize your canine nicely as a puppy. All of the following pointers will assist you to lift 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 almost gone extinct within the late 20^th century, they might undergo from a lot of frequent and uncommon problems. These well being points can embody weight problems, diabetes, a wide range of eye issues, and Addison’s illness. They are susceptible to hip dysplasia and different bone and joint points. These dogs might have bowel issues, kidney and bladder points, and bleeding problems. They may undergo from most cancers, epilepsy, and different circumstances. Some critical problems come up from genetic circumstances. Dogs ought to be examined for these circumstances 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 publish is © LynMc42k/iStock through Getty Images