![Portuguese Water Dog Breed](/sites/default/files/styles/square_medium_440x440/public/2022-07/Portuguese-Water-Dog.jpg?itok=la9fHEVc)
Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
Easy to train: | 4/5 |
Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
Energy level: | 5/5 |
Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
Shedding: | 1/5 |
The Portugese Water Dog can suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Gangliosidosis which is a disease that can lead to damage of the brain and spinal cord.
- Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy¹ which is a condition that develops in young dogs where the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot beat properly.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
¹M. M. Sleeper et al, 'Dilated cardiomyopathy in juvenile Portuguese water dogs', 2002, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Possibly as a by-product of a history of sitting quietly in boats before leaping into action, the Portuguese Water Dog, while extremely active, is surprisingly self-controlled and very trainable. They are friendly, happy dogs who bond closely to their families and who enjoy being a part of everything - but without training and enough exercise and stimulation they can become bored and unruly. Water is, unsurprisingly, a magnet for them!