Irene Boshoff

 Portuguese Water Dog Puppies for Sale History & Origin The Portuguese Water Dog (Cao de Agua or dog of the water) is a breed developed to work in a water environment. Its true origin is unknown. Some believe they are one of the original dog breeds. Whatever their history, there are a few theories as to how their ancestors landed up in Portugal. One of these theories involves the Moors. It states they brought dogs to Europe to look after their flocks of sheep. They then, apparently, were taken south by the Goths when they attacked the Romans. Interbreeding with these dogs resulted in the forerunners of the Portuguese Water Dog, Pulis, and Poodle. Another, unlikely, theory states there were water dogs traveling with the Spanish Armada. There is no physical evidence of this. The last theory claims that a longhaired water dog was developed in pre-historical times. Irish Springer Spaniels apparently descended from these ancient dogs. This breed worked alongside Portuguese sailors on their boats. They would swim out and bring in broken nets, herded fish in the water, and acted as makeshift foghorns. They were also message carriers swimming between boats or to the shore to deliver them. Additionally, they were guard dogs as well. Sailors who could not afford a dog of their own rented one from someone else. The advent of technology, however, almost killed out the breed. Vasco Bensaude, a shipping magnate, is responsible for the Portuguese Water Dog’s comeback. He started a breeding program. Others carried on his work after his death. Portuguese Water Dogs first landed on American shores in 1960. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1981. Their classification as a working dog was in 1984. Character, Personality, and Temperament The first thing anyone notices about a Portuguese Water Dog is its intelligence. They have much more inbred skills and abilities than most other dog breeds. The Portuguese Water dog is a breed that loves fun and is great with children, big and small. As a part of the family, he becomes extremely protective and makes a wonderful watchdog. Your puppy is part of an even-tempered breed that is not easily excitable although they have a wonderful sense of humor. A dog that loves family time, they become an integral part of the family. Although they have no trouble laying at your feet for a snooze, they need an active lifestyle. Your Portuguese Water Dog puppy should not be viewed as a pet. Instead, rather view your puppy as one of the children. His silly antiques will get added to just in order to entertain his family. Families who have a pool or who get to a body of water regularly make the ideal home for this breed. This provides an environment in which your puppy will flourish. Plenty of exercise ensures a dog that will bark less, as barking in this breed is often a sign of boredom. Activities should see to his mental development as well. Any games requiring him to think will suit this intelligent dog. These are docile, brave, obedient dogs. Care They are a long-lived breed. They can reach up to fifteen years in age. (i) Nutrition and feeding Your new puppy needs the same food fed at the breeders. If you want to change his food, do so gradually. Failure to do so will end with a very ill puppy. A raw food diet is always best for dogs. It is the nearest to that of his wolf ancestors. Wolves eat the guts of their prey first. It contains the vegetation eaten by their natural prey. After this, the internal organs and red meat follow. Foods to include in a raw food diet are protein from red meat, fish, and fowl, as well as vegetables. Carrots and sweet potato are great as is brown rice for puppies. Brown rice helps their tummies digest their food. For a puppy, remember to grind up meat finely. It can get rougher in texture as he grows older. Certain food is toxic to dogs. These include most nuts, chocolate, caffeine, raw onion and garlic, avocado, and grapes/raisins, to name but a few. Many people opt for commercial dog food. It is easier to feed their dogs and most believe it is cheaper. The problem with commercial dog food is not all are equal. Some are really bad for your pet and contain things that can make your dog ill. Others contain fillers. Fillers only make your puppy feel full. They have no nutritional value. When you choose a commercial brand, make sure you know your dog’s nutritional needs. Keep in mind a large breed puppy has different nutritional needs than a smaller breed of puppy. Younger dogs also have different nutritional needs than older, less active dogs. Commercial food has to be breed size and age-specific. A puppy needs feeding three to four times a day. This makes potty training easier. It also allows you to control how much your dog is eating. Some dogs just never stop! Obesity in dogs can lead to health problems. These include diabetes and heart problems. Free feeding is not the way to go! (ii) Size and Coat Portuguese Water Dog males are slightly larger than females. A male will stand between 20inches to 23 inches and weight between 42 pounds and 60 pounds. A female, on the other hand, stands between 17 inches and 21 inches and weighs between 35 pounds and 50 pounds. Height is measured from the withers to the floor. Their webbed feet make them great swimmers. Water, besides land, is their natural habitat. Portuguese Water Dogs have two coat types. They are either curly or wavy. Unlike most dogs, they have no undercoat. Because they do not shed like other dog breeds, many consider them hypoallergenic. Their coats come in a variety of colors. These include different shades of brown, black, white, and white and black or white and brown. (iii) Grooming These dogs’ coats are clipped in one of two styles : the lion cut, and the retriever cut. Grooming your Portuguese Water Dog between cuts at the doggy parlor is easy. Their needs are few. A dog that spends a lot of time in the water, a Portuguese Water Dog needs a thorough rinsing to get rid of the salt water or chlorine from the pool. His water activities mean frequent bathing is unnecessary. When bathing, use a good quality dog shampoo and conditioner. This takes care of the problem of a possible allergic reaction. The conditioner also feeds its coat, keeping it in great shape. These dogs need a regular, twice or thrice weekly brushing to get rid of tangles or knots. Any loose hair is removed during this time. Ears need thorough drying after each swim or bath. They can be cleaned by means of a damp cotton wool ball. Any sign of a discharge or discoloration indicates a possible ear infection. If this is the case, please take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. These are active dogs and their nails tend to file down naturally. Less active dogs have to have their nails clipped every few weeks. This is easy to do at home. If you are scared of clipping your dog’s nails, take him to the veterinarian or doggy parlor. It is not an expensive procedure. One benefit of this breed is their coat grows slowly. Regular trips to the doggy parlor for clipping are not necessary. (iv) Exercise, Energy, and Activities These dogs just never get tired! They have a lot of vigor and stamina. Up to the age of about two years, your Portuguese Water Dog has all the characteristics of a lively child. They romp and play about and can cause a lot of destruction due to sheer playfulness. Portuguese Water Dogs need regular exercise, both mentally and physically. Great ways to work off the energy is jogging (with you), playing fetch, swimming, and brisk walks. Hiking and cycling also work wonders, with them beside you, of course! They do require strong leadership, however, so make sure your puppy knows you are the boss right from the start. Position yourself as the alpha of the ‘pack’. They will test you. Remember, a Portuguese Water Dog that is bored is destructive and barks! These dogs do not make great pets for those in apartments. They need a large yard and preferably a pool. Children to play with are an added extra. (v) Training and Sleep/Rest All dogs are pack animals and need a pack leader. The Portuguese Water Dog is no different. You, therefore, need to establish yourself in this role as quickly as possible. Socialization needs to start the moment you bring your new puppy home. He has to get to know everyone in the family, humans, and other pets alike. As he grows, other people should be introduced. A dog-friendly park is great for this. A Portuguese Water Dog puppy, like other puppies, has a very fast digestive system. His tummy will ‘go’ about fifteen minutes after a meal at first. This is a great time to teach him where his potty area is. Besides this, a good time to take him to the potty area is first thing in the morning, the last thing at night, and at 35 minutes to one-hour intervals during the day. It takes a while before he learns how to control his bladder and how to ‘keep it in’. Never scold or be harsh with your Portuguese Water Dog puppy when he makes a mistake in the house. Rather praise his successes. Praise teaches him that you approve, and he aims to please. Although dogs sleep more than humans do, they do not sleep as soundly. An adult dog can sleep on average for up to fourteen hours a day. A puppy can easily sleep for up to eighteen hours per day and more. This is perfectly normal. They are growing babies. They will sleep less as they grow older. They need this time to grow strong, healthy bones and muscles. Growing takes a lot of work! (vi) Health Issues Although a generally healthy breed, Portuguese Water Dogs, like any other breed, are susceptible to certain health issues. You should always purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder. This gives you the chance to ask questions about your puppy, the breed, and the history of its parents. This includes the health history as well. One of the major health issues encountered in Portuguese Water Dogs is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). This is an inherited disease leading to blindness. It is, however, treatable, especially if caught early. Minor health problems include canine hip dysplasia (CHP), GM1 storage disease, juvenile cardiomyopathy, and distichiasis. CHP is hereditary but also the result of injury or too much exercise. Its diet is another factor. It is encountered in dogs as young as five months. Surgery is a treatment option. GM1 storage disease is the result of two dogs breeding that both carry a specific recessive gene. The offspring lack a certain enzyme. The result is a buildup of toxins. It is usually fatal to puppies. Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease where the heart is enlarged. It affects more male than female dogs. It usually leads to congestive heart failure when they are older. Distichiasis is a condition whereby eyelashes grow inwards. These eyelids usually grow from an abnormal position. They irritate the cornea due to rubbing against it, causing the dog’s eyes to tear more than normal. A fun-loving, active breed, the Portuguese dog is, unfortunately, not for everybody. They adore water and any activity that gives it exercise and mental stimulation. They make wonderful friends for older children while playing the part of canine watchdog to perfection. Your puppy will grow up to be a family member, but is not encouraged as a pet for the elderly or infirm. Portuguese Water Dogs do not make good apartment dwellers. Instead, they need a home with a large yard in which they can run off excess energy.