Portuguese Water Dogs!

Portuguese Water Dogs are so cool so make your day by reading some facts about them:

#1. "Pronunciation: Portch-uh-geeze Water Dog."

#2. "The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized, muscular dog."

#3. "The topline is straight and level."

#4. "The black nose is broad."

#5. "The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite."

#6. "The medium sized, round eyes are dark."

#7. "The heart-shaped ears are set high, hanging."

#8. "The tail is not docked to aid in swimming, is thicker at the base tapering."

#9. "The legs are straight."

#10. "The feet are webbed which aids the dog in swimming."

#11. "The single-layered coat is thick and is either curly or wavy in texture. Coat colors come in black, white, various shades of brown, parti-colors of white with dark spots, black or brown with white markings, silver fox and gray."

#12. "The Portuguese Water Dog is a loyal, lively, water-loving dog."

#13. "Animated, amusing, spirited and fun to be around, they often make people laugh."

#14. "Affectionate with their family."

#15. "They have great stamina, and with enough exercise will be calm."

#16. "They are excellent with children and usually get along with other dogs and pets without any problems. They need to get to know cats so that the company of them will also cause no problems."

#17. "They are even and pleasant tempered."

#18. "Brave, keenly aware, highly intelligent and trainable; keen to work and quick to learn and understand instructions."

#19. "Training these dogs is not difficult if you understand how to properly communicate with the canine animal."

#20. "They are very sensitive to the tone of your voice and owners need to be calm, but show a consistent authority."

#21. "Bear in mind that this extremely intelligent dog will take liberties if it feels it is stronger minded than it's owners. Make sure you are consistent, firm and confident in the way you handle the dog. This breed may out-think its owner!"

#22. "Willing and eager to please, this is a faithful, obedient dog."

#23. "They make good watchdogs."

#24. "They have a very good sense of smell."

#25. "Suitable for agility skill trials and numerous other dog sports."

#26. "Portuguese Water Dog puppies are notorious chewers. Be sure to provide them with things they are allowed to chew on."

#27. "Dominance levels vary even within the same litter."

#28. "Barking, and indoor activity level varies greatly with the individual owners and their ability to balance out the dog's needs."

#29. "Make sure you are this dog's firm, consistent, confident pack leader, providing daily mental and physical exercise."

#30. "Height: Dogs 20-22 inches (50-57 cm.)

Bitches 17-20 inches (43-52 cm.)"

#31. "Weight: Dogs 42-55 pounds (19-25 kg.)

Bitches 35-49 pounds (16-22 kg.)"

#32. "Some lines are prone to hip dysplasia and PRA. Prone to GM-1 Storage Disease, a fatal nerve disease. Thos dogs used for breeding should be tested. It appears when the puppy is about 6 months old."

#33. "The Portuguese Water Dog will be okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and a small yard will be sufficient. It can live outdoors in temperate climates, but would be much happier living close to its family and spending days in the yard."

#34. "The Portuguese Water Dog is an active, working type dog with great stamina. It needs daily physical and mental exercise, which includes a daily, long, brisk walk or jog to satisfy their migration instinct. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. This breed does best with a job to do. They love to swim and there is nothing they would love more than if you threw a stick or ball in water for it to retrieve. It will also enjoy a vigorous romp. They make excellent jogging companions. They are high energy dogs that need high energy owners who can provide them with plenty of not only physical but mental stimulation along with strong leadership from every family member. Those dogs who are provided with this type of structure make excellent pets and working dogs and those who are lacking will tend to become problem dogs."

#35. "Life Expectancy: About 10-14 years."

#36. "The Portuguese Water dog should be brushed and combed regularly. Primarily coat type does not determine which trim they are put in. It is a personal preference. Two coat clips are used: One clip with the face and rear shaved, and the working retriever or pet clip where the dog is scissored so the coat appears to be about an inch long all over. This breed is virtually hypo-allergenic and good for allergy sufferers. The coat sheds little to no hair. The coat grows more slowly than that of a poodle and does not require as frequent scissoring or clipping."

Info from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/portuguesewaterdog.htm

Pic from: http://tailsmagazines.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/portuguese_pup1.jpg