A Portuguese Water Dog

Used once as a hunting dog, the Portuguese water dog is now used by fishermen in the breed's homeland. A keen guard, it can be easily trained to swim from boats and to retrieve lost nets thanks to its great diving skills. This energetic breed needs to be robust and strongly muscled on the shoulders.

Brave and tireless, the Portuguese water dog has a pleasant disposition and, although self-willed, is very obedient to its owner. There are two distinct types of coat, neither of which has undercoat. Hair can either be fairly long, loosely waved and with a slight sheen, or short, fairly hard and dense with compact curls lacking lustre. Both are usually clipped over the hindquarters and on the tail, with a plume left at the end Height and weight range considerably, from 43—57 cm (17-22.5 in) and 16-25 kg (35-55 lb).