Working water dog Medium size 16-27 kg

Portuguese Water Dog

A smart, low-shedding water dog that bonds tightly and loves swimming - it needs plenty of exercise and regular clipping to thrive.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
16-27 kg, 43-57 cm tall
High
Activity
Athletic swimmer needing daily exercise and mental work
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Very people-oriented; prone to boredom alone
Easy
Handling
Highly trainable and eager to work
High
Coat care
Curly coat needs clipping every 6-8 weeks
Excellent
Fit with kids
Playful and gentle with children
Good
Other pets
Usually friendly with other pets
Moderate
Health burden
Hip, ear and eye issues

The Portuguese Water Dog typically weighs 16-27 kg, stands 43-57 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

your family is active and wants the dog in on everything,
you have water nearby, or at least love long outdoor days,
you enjoy training - this breed learns fast and wants a job,
you can budget for professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would routinely be alone most of the day,
you want a calm, low-input dog - this one is busy and mouthy as a youngster,
regular grooming costs don't fit the budget,
you buy it mainly as a "hypoallergenic" guarantee - there isn't one.

A typical day with a Portuguese Water Dog

  1. 6:45 · Morning
    45-60 min walk, fetch, or a swim if you have water
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Chews or a food puzzle, then sleeps near you
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk; a bored PWD starts redecorating
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training or trick work, 15 minutes; it loves this
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Family time and play - it wants to be in the middle
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Crashes hard after a full day

Temperament and training

Trainability Very high
Drive to work High
Affection Very high
Independence Low
Playfulness Very high
Water love Very high
Common owner mistakes
Underestimating puppy and adolescent mouthiness - it's a known breed trait · Physical exercise only, no mental work, then blaming the dog for chaos · Stretching grooming intervals until the curly coat mats to the skin

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Playful and sturdy; supervise the bouncy adolescent phase.
Dogs Good
Sociable and playful with other dogs.
Cats Good
Usually fine, especially when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Works only with serious daily exercise and company.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard is a bonus, not a substitute for shared activity.
City Manages well
Adaptable if the schedule delivers exercise and training.
Countryside Ideal
Especially anywhere near swimmable water.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock for hip scores
Progressive retinal atrophy Genetic eye disease; DNA testing available
Chronic ear infections Check and clean ears routinely
Allergies and skin issues Can cause recurring itching and infections

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Closest working cousin, a bit more rustic
Spanish Water Dog
A tireless curly-coated herder and worker that is devoted and highly trainable - great for active owners who can meet its energy and coat needs.
View profile →
Smaller curly water breed, slightly calmer
Lagotto Romagnolo
A clever, low-shedding Italian truffle dog that suits active, engaged owners - the trade-off is a curly coat that needs regular clipping and a nose that loves to dig.
View profile →
Similar coat and brains, more widely available
Poodle (Standard)
A sharp, athletic, low-shedding all-rounder whose coat trades shed hair for a standing grooming appointment you cannot skip.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Portuguese Water Dog cost?
It is one of the pricier family breeds: roughly $2,500-$4,000 from a health-testing US breeder, and waitlists are common. Then add grooming every 6-8 weeks for 12-15 years, which quietly becomes one of the biggest lifetime line items. Health costs are moderate for the size, but ear infections and eye screening are recurring themes.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs hypoallergenic?
They shed very little, which is why allergy-conscious families - famously including the Obamas - choose them. But no breed is allergen-free; dander and saliva still trigger some people. Spend real time around adult PWDs before committing.
Do Portuguese Water Dogs need to swim?
No, but they need the equivalent workload. Swimming is their favorite outlet and great for joints, yet running, fetch, hiking, and training sessions cover the same need. What they can't do is skip exercise - an under-worked PWD is loud, mouthy, and destructive.
Can a Portuguese Water Dog stay home alone?
A few hours, yes; a full workday every day, no. This breed was bred to work beside people all day and it takes that personally. Homes with remote workers, active retirees, or staggered schedules fit far better than an empty house.