Helpful Links
Portuguese Water Dog Club of America
Learn all about the Portuguese Water Dog, National club news, find a breeder and much more!
The PWDCA National Specialty
The Portuguese Water Dog's Biggest Show of the Year! From Conformation to Water Work, Agility, Rally, Tracking and more. The 2022 Specialty will be held in Frankenmuth, MI.
PWDCA Portuguese Water Dog Rescue and Relocation Program
The mission of the PWDCA Rescue, Inc.’s (Rescue) Rescue and Relocation Program is to assume the responsibility for the evaluation and placement of PWDS that have been given up by their owners or are abandoned or found. As a 501c3 organization, they are funded by donations from adopting families, PWDCA, Inc. members, as well as from fund-raising events.
The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Rescue, Inc. provides a wide scope of services.
The American Kennel Club
Everything you'll need to know regarding the American Kennel Club. Events, registering and managing your dogs, learning about breeds, you'll find it here!
Agility Resources
Conformation, O, R, T, BP, & More
About Portuguese water dogs
The existence of the Portuguese Water Dog along the Algarve, on the coast of Portugal, can be traced back to very remote times. Evidence exists which indicates that in pre-Christian times the water dog was held to be nearly sacred; severe penalties came to those who killed a water dog.
There are many theories surrounding the dog, but no
The existence of the Portuguese Water Dog along the Algarve, on the coast of Portugal, can be traced back to very remote times. Evidence exists which indicates that in pre-Christian times the water dog was held to be nearly sacred; severe penalties came to those who killed a water dog.
There are many theories surrounding the dog, but none dispute that this remarkable dog has an ancient ancestry. The first written description of the Portuguese Water Dog is dated to 1297 and concerns a monk's report of a dying sailor who had been brought out of the sea by a dog having a "black coat of rough hair, cut to the first rib and with a tuft on the tip of his tail."
Size - Height at the withers - Males, 20 to 23 inches. The ideal is 22 inches. Females, 17 to 21 inches. The ideal is 19 inches. Weight - For males, 42 to 60 pounds; for females, 35 to 50 pounds.
Proportion - Off square; slightly longer than tall when measured from prosternum to rearmost point of the buttocks, and from withers to ground.
Size - Height at the withers - Males, 20 to 23 inches. The ideal is 22 inches. Females, 17 to 21 inches. The ideal is 19 inches. Weight - For males, 42 to 60 pounds; for females, 35 to 50 pounds.
Proportion - Off square; slightly longer than tall when measured from prosternum to rearmost point of the buttocks, and from withers to ground.
Substance - Strong, substantial bone; well developed, neither refined nor coarse, and a solidly built, muscular body.
Grooming Guide There are two varieties of Portuguese Water Dog coat that meet the breed standard:
Curly — compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless. The hair on the ears is sometimes wavy.
Wavy — Falling gently in waves, not curls, and with a slight sheen.
No preference will be given to coat type, either curly or wavy.
You've come to the right place; no one knows Portuguese Water Dogs like the PWDCA! We know that PWD puppies are cute.
We know that PWDs are playful and wickedly smart. But we also know that the breed we all love is not the right dog for everyone. Before you buy, we want to help you make sure that a Portuguese Water Dog is a great fit f
You've come to the right place; no one knows Portuguese Water Dogs like the PWDCA! We know that PWD puppies are cute.
We know that PWDs are playful and wickedly smart. But we also know that the breed we all love is not the right dog for everyone. Before you buy, we want to help you make sure that a Portuguese Water Dog is a great fit for you and your family.
As with all breeds, it's important to understand the unique characteristics that make up a PWD. So it's worthwhile to spend some time examining health and temperament issues, exercise requirements (physical and mental!), and grooming needs.
We are dedicated to fund canine medical research focused on issues that affect the health and well-being of Portuguese Water Dogs.
Since 1998, we have approved $1.2 million in funding to health research grants that benefit the Portuguese Water Dog. Through your donations, the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation was a major contributor in t
We are dedicated to fund canine medical research focused on issues that affect the health and well-being of Portuguese Water Dogs.
Since 1998, we have approved $1.2 million in funding to health research grants that benefit the Portuguese Water Dog. Through your donations, the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation was a major contributor in the development of the DNA gene test for Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, as well as the test for two different forms of Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
The Foundation sponsors various studies on cancers, Addison’s disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Puppy Eye Syndrome, hip dysplasia as well as many other important areas of health research.
The Courier -- The PWDCA's Award-Winning Magazine. It is the official publication of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc. (PWDCA).
Its goal is to provide information to members to perpetuate the original mission of the PWDCA. The magazine portrays Portuguese Water Dogs at work and at play. It contains articles and photos con
The Courier -- The PWDCA's Award-Winning Magazine. It is the official publication of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc. (PWDCA).
Its goal is to provide information to members to perpetuate the original mission of the PWDCA. The magazine portrays Portuguese Water Dogs at work and at play. It contains articles and photos contributed by members and breed experts on a variety of subjects, including water work, health, training, performance, conformation, and rescue.