Portuguese Water Dog Puppies for Sale

Are you on the hunt for an energetic little buddy to add some fun and spice to your home? 

Check out our Portuguese Water Dog puppies for sale! 

PWD puppies are playful, affectionate, and just about the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. Their curly coats are irresistibly soft and cuddly, (and they love to cuddle!) and they will bring life and brightness to your home.  

Loves water: As the name suggests, PWDs love anything to do with water! They were originally bred to help out on fishing boats, and they still enjoy swimming and water sports. 

Energetic: PWDs are high-energy dogs who need plenty of activity. They love vigorous games of fetch and make great jogging buddies. They also excel at all kinds of dog sports. 

Fun loving: These dogs have a sense of humor. They find life a funny thing, and they will never get tired of playing and having a good time with you!

Intelligent: Packed with brains, a PWD might outsmart you if you aren’t careful! PWDs are highly intelligent and can learn just about anything you want to teach them. They can master most jobs, including therapy work and search and rescue. 

Adaptable: With training, PWDs can adapt to just about any situation or job you place them in. They aren’t fussy or particular. 

Portuguese Water Dogs were originally bred in Portugal to be the fisherman’s all-around right hand man. Fishermen took PWDs on board their boats to drive fish into their nets, retrieve gear from the water, and carry messages to other boats and the shore. 

Known as the “Cao de Agua,” or “dog of the water,” these pups were the fisherman’s best friend from Portugal to Newfoundland. 

These hard-working dogs almost disappeared in the early 20th century, as technology took over their jobs. However, a wealthy Portuguese dog lover stepped in and took it upon himself to save the breed. 

A few decades later they made their way to England and the USA, and in 1983 the AKC recognized them as a breed.

Portuguese Water Dogs are medium-large dogs, standing 17-23” at the shoulder and weighing 35-60 lbs. 

Portuguese Water Dogs live to be 10-14 years old.

One of the first things you will notice about a Portuguese Water Dog is its fluffy, curly coat! This coat comes in black, white, brown, or a combination of these colors.

Because of their curly coats, Portuguese Water Dogs need plenty of grooming. You will need to regularly brush and clip your dog. 

There are two popular ways to clip PWDs: the retriever clip and the lion clip. 

The retriever clip is a simple clip that follows the contours of your dog’s body about 1 inch out. The lion clip is a bit more eye-catching. With a lion clip you leave the hair long on the head, chest, and front legs, and clip it short on the muzzle and hindquarters. 

 

Your dog will also need its nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly. 

Portuguese Water Dogs are generally a healthy breed. But of course, there are still things you should watch out for. These include genetic eye disorders and GM-1 storage disease. 

 Protect Your Dog from Obesity 

You can protect your dog from one of the most common health problems: obesity. One of the best ways to extend your dog’s life is by feeding them the correct amount of food and giving them adequate exercise. Portuguese Water Dogs especially need adequate exercise. 

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia 

Like all dog breeds, Portuguese Water Dogs are at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, two of the most common health issues in dogs. 

Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip and can result in limping, lameness, or arthritis if it’s not addressed.

Hip and elbow dysplasia can be genetic, or it can be caused by environmental factors such as overeating or injuries. 

Here are some ways to prevent hip dysplasia in your puppy: 

• 1. Ask the breeder for an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Hip Clearance. Dogs with hip dysplasia shouldn’t be bred. 
• 2. Talk to your vet about the right food for your puppy and stick to the correct amount to prevent unhealthy growth. 
• 3. Keep your puppy from running or jumping excessively on hard surfaces and from standing on their hind legs.  

Bloat 

Bloat, also called gastric dilatation-volvulus or gastric torsion, can affect any large breed dog and is a life-threatening condition. 

Bloat is when the stomach becomes twisted, and the gases in the stomach are unable to escape. The pressure from these gases affects the blood flow to the heart, and it can be fatal. 

To prevent bloat:

1. 1. Avoid feeding your dog right before or after heavy exercise.
3. 2. Feed them a few smaller meals a day instead of one large meal to prevent bloat.
5. 3. Learn to recognize the symptoms of bloat so you can take action immediately.

Some owners choose to have surgery done to tack their dog’s stomach in place and prevent it from twisting. 

First of all, what causes allergies? 

Allergens are caused by dander, which is dead skin cells. Both animals and humans shed these dead skin cells. Dander is attached to the fur that dogs shed. 

Because of their curly coats, PWDs don’t shed a lot, so they are better for allergy sufferers than a lot of breeds. Some consider them hypoallergenic. However, keep in mind that no dog is completely hypoallergenic.  

If you or someone in your home has animal allergy concerns, please consult your health provider before adopting a puppy.