Types of dogs: the Portuguese Water Dog
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portuguese water dog for sale in portugal |
Fishermen use this dog to bring their nets, and to transfer their messages or transfer small things from one boat to another, and the Portuguese Water Dog is distinguished by its fur that is cut in the form of a lion's scalp, and some hairs are cut from its tail to facilitate its movement in the water.
The thick hair that the breeders leave in the chest of the Portuguese Water Dog in the form of a lion's scalp are intended to protect it from the cold and are also used for the purpose of decorating it.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium sized dog with smooth fur that does not shed, which makes it a favorite breed among people with dog allergies. They are considered a working dog breed, which is affectionate, affectionate and intelligent, with a quick response to training and obedience skills. Because of this, the Portuguese Water Dog are wonderful service animals.
The Portuguese Water Dog has become particularly well known in the past decade thanks to former US President Barack Obama and his family, who had two Portuguese Water dogsduring their time in the White House.
Although the Portuguese Water Dog is said to be hypoallergenic, note that there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, as all dogs shed their hair to some degree.
The Portuguese Water Dog breed
- Group: Work
- Weight: 17 to 25 kg for males, and 15 to 21 kg for females
- Height: 50 to 57.5 cm for males, and 42.5 to 52.5 cm for females
- Fur: The entire body is covered with a thick dense layer of wool in the front area, and there are two types of fur: one curly in the form of cylinders and the other type is glossy wavy
- Colors: The most common coat colors for a Portuguese Water Dog are black, black, white, and brown, although their coat color may be white or silver.
- Life expectancy: 10 to 13 years
History of the Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is an ancient breed. The first written description of the breed appeared in an account written by a monk in 1297.
The current Portuguese water dog and poodle are thought to have evolved from the same genetic group, with distinct historical paths that separate the two breeds in terms of personality, appearance, and temperament.
The Portuguese Water Dog became a close companion to humans for a long time, thanks to their preparation for life on the sea. They worked closely with Portuguese fishermen, swimming between boats and helping to recover lost catches and collect flock fish in nets.
The "main founder" of the modern Portuguese Water Dog is a dog called Leo, which was owned by a wealthy Portuguese businessman named Vasco Pinsud in the 1930s. It is believed that more than half of all Portuguese Water Dog breeds can be traced back to the Leo dog.
The Portuguese Water Dog spread widely in the states in the early seventies of the last century with the establishment of the Portuguese Water Dog Club in America, and although it is still known for its water-loving tendencies, the Portuguese Water Dog is respected today for its love as pets, where it possesses worthy traits. They are currently ranked 51 out of the 192 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Caring for a Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog are high-energy working dogs that require regular exercise to not be bored. In addition to regular walking (and plenty of swimming, if possible!), Portuguese Water dogsthrive in training-based activities such as agility, diving, docking, remedial work, and obedience.
And long daily walks, along with plenty of play time and brain-strengthening activities, to keep the Portuguese Water Dog at its best both mentally and physically.
Although the Portuguese Water Dog does not shed a hair, this type of dog needs regular - and often extensive - grooming. The fur should be brushed two to three times a week and trimmed once a month to prevent the hair from getting tangled or frizzy. For Portuguese Water dogswho spend long time swimming, care must be taken to properly clean their skin, fur, and ears to prevent infection or inflammation from salt or chemicals.
Training the Portuguese Water Dog
In terms of training, the Portuguese Water Dog loves to learn, and quickly adapt to new skills through the use of positive reinforcement.
Training a Portuguese Water Dog is a great way to build strong bonds and relationships with humans, and it can help alleviate behavioral problems caused by boredom.
Because they learn very quickly, Portuguese Water Dogs are exceptional therapy and service dogs, and they often excel in competitive canine sports.
Overall, the Portuguese Water Dog is a friendly dog who enjoys being close to their owners. They have an independent personality, but with the right amounts of exercise and training, many Portuguese Water dogs are well-behaved dogs and strive to please their owners.
People who want to train a Portuguese Water Dog should note the unique personality traits of their dogs, and they should work closely with the Therapeutic Dog Training Organization, to ensure that their dogsare suitable and effectively trained for the role.
Health problems of the Portuguese Water Dog
Like all purebred dogs, the Portuguese Water Dog is exposed to certain types of injuries and diseases. Keep in mind that not all Portuguese Terriers are at risk, and all dogs can exhibit certain health problems. Common disorders associated with the breed include:
Hip joint deformities
- Progressive retinol atrophy, an eye disease that eventually leads to blindness
- Dilated cardiomyopathy, a genetic disease that causes death in puppies aged five weeks to seven months
- Storage disease, which is a genetic disease that causes toxic and lethal accumulations of enzymes in a puppy's nerve cells
- In progressive retinal atrophy, cardiomyopathy, and storage diseases, prevention is generally only achieved by identifying carriers of the relevant genes and not further culturing them.
The diet of the Portuguese Water Dog
Like most dogs, the Portuguese Water Dog does best with a high-quality, high-protein diet to suit their individual needs. Due to their higher levels of activity, many Portuguese Water Dogs may need a higher calorie consumption than other dogs.
Although calorie needs should be determined based on discussions between owners and veterinarians. Experts recommend serving two meals a day rather than leaving food in front of the dog all day, to create a routine and discourage overeating.
