Portuguese Water Dogs

[Takethecake0]

We are looking to get a dog and I was wondering what people’s experiences with PWDs are? Previously we have had a Cockerpoo and there are allergy issues in the family that is limiting our breed choice.

We have a SWD so similar if that helps?

Really lovely dog. Very clever, very biddable and very loyal. Either goes go daycare or walks about 6 miles a day. Probably be fine on less exercise, this just suits our lifestyle. Very affectionate. Great if your interested in scent work etc. Dh and dog are going to have a taster session man trailing today.

Downsides, very loyal so protective and can bark when people come into the house. Not very friendly with strangers, not afraid/aggressive but not interested and gives them a wide birth.
Quite allergy prone so has a fish based diet.
Doesn't like being left alone. Preferences are to be near you, next to you or best of all, on you

A friend has one and it has terrible separation anxiety. I'm not sure if that is a trait of the breed or was that particular dog or situation.

They are a fairly inbred breed which will predispose them to immune-mediated illnesses, allergies and inherited diseases.

Thanks for the replies, there are a couple of PWDs at the local park and they seem like really nice dogs.

We wouldn’t get a dog that hadn’t had health screened parents, although that obviously can’t tell you everything.

Definitely something to think about

If you like the look of a PWD, how about a Tibetan Terrier? (I am biased as I am absolutely besotted with my mine.)
They are bright, fun little dogs. And most importantly not a terrier, despite their name.

@Ylvamoon they look really interesting, could you tell me a bit about yours and their temperament? Is it hard to find a breeder?

I love Tibetans. Such characters!

What about a barbet? I’ve only ever met one but it was a lovely dog.

Takethecake0 - what really sold the Tibetans to me was a dog with a sense of humour!
So when I looked for a dog, I didn't want anything with crazy energy and prey drive. I wanted a friendly dog that is intelligent, so easy to train the basics but not one that needs stimulating for hours on end. Obviously the dog had to be family friendly.
Tibetans seem to fit the brief with the added bonus that they seem to take everything in their stride.
However, there are a few things to consider, they are stubborn and definitely have a mind of their own! This makes training ahm interesting? They don't like being left for hours on end can get separation anxiety.

The puppy stage is hard, they are lively nippy little buggers. They will wrap you around their little paws if you are not careful and teach you how to be the perfect human.

The good thing is, persistence will pay off and you should end up with a lovely adult dog that is chilled.
And then there is obviously the coat care...

Barbets are similar but without the guardian instinct. Fabulous dogs :)
Porties are lively dogs but some lines can be quite sharp.
Is there a reason you aren't considering a poodle, you can cut the hair doodle style if that's the look you like.

The Barbets and Tibetan Terriers looks like they could also be possibilities.

I’d be happy with a Poodle, but my family are less keen (I think they have weird preconceptions about them)

I have 2 PWDs and had one previously. I love them, they are able to go on long walks with me and don’t get tired. One of mine is from more of a working line (mother was imported from Portugal at 18 months), the other is from a very successful line in the UK. They are quite different in character, the girl is super bright and can carry out two stage instructions. The dog (Portuguese mother) is brilliant at retrieving in water & working but not as bright. They are trainable, mine don’t go upstairs or on furniture. The male is very good at finding food & quite curious. He helps himself to fruit. Our previous PWD was from the US and lived to be 14 1/2. The current dogs are 9 & 11. The older dog has had the nasty vomiting & diarrhea bug that has been going round so I’m being gentle with her at the moment but before she was ill we were walking 15km at least once a week on a long walk. Our dogs normally get 2-2 ½ hours walk a day but can have less when we are busy. They do bark when the doorbell rings and when I say ‘hello’ on the phone (which is annoying).