Welcome everyone, to the #AtoZChallenge Blogging Extravaganza, where hundreds of bloggers publish 26 posts in 30 days, one for each letter of the alphabet, covering a myriad of topics!
“Dog Breeds & Anecdotes” is my theme. Click HERE to see all posts and HERE to view the participants.
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#AtoZChallenge Day 16: P is for PORTUGUESE WATER DOG #dogladysden Share on X
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
Portuguese Water Dogs are originally from the Portuguese region of the Algarve, from where the breed expanded to all around Portugal’s coast.
They were taught to herd fish into fishermen’s nets, to retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and to act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore.
Portuguese Water Dogs rode in fishing trawlers as they worked their way from the Atlantic waters of Portugal to the waters off the coast of Iceland where the fleets caught cod. – WIKIPEDIA
This breed has gained in popularity over the last decade.
My first experience with a Portuguese Water Dog did not leave the best of impressions, as he was incredibly hyper. Splash was just over a year old and had obviously not had much interaction with other dogs.
Good thing he liked them, but he would get so wound up, it was almost impossible to calm him down. This is not a happy scene with multiple dogs in residence. Splash wore me out and I was glad when it was time for him to go home.
Bogart, aka Bogie, was also playful, but a little older and calmer.
Elvis (don’t you love these names?) would get carried away, sometimes.
We had to watch him more closely as he could become too aggressive.
Snoopie is a regular Christmas holiday guest and one of the sweetest.
What do you think of the Portuguese Water Dog?
Do you know any?
Looking forward to your comments!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
40 thoughts on “P is for PORTUGUESE WATER DOG | #AtoZChallenge”
Glad you shared your 2016 A-Z challenge, Debbie. A great round-up of breeds! I wish we had a canine innkeeper near us, rather than a kennel. When we travel by air, I have a couple of college girls who love to house/dog-sit for my two. The Portuguese water dog is cute! I’ve seen them around.
Thanks for checking out the series, Terry! 🙂 Having someone live in your home is the best option. Take care of the house, plants and pets all at the same time. Portuguese Water Dogs became super popular after the Obamas got theirs while living in the White House.
Portuguese water dog! They look adorable! Are they related to poodles at all? Do you know if they have hair or fur? We’re looking for a hypoallergenic pet currently.
The Wikipedia link will answer all of your questions. Thanks for dropping in.
I think the Portuguese Water dog is such a cute breed, they are adorable. I have never actually met one though so I don’t know what I would make of their hyper-activity!
Debbie
This is an interesting breed, for sure. The trouble with Splash was that he wanted to play ALL the time. The other dogs sometimes warned him off but he didn’t care. Then there was Elvis. He always started out playing nicely, but then would sometimes become pushy and aggressive, barking in another dog’s face. From personal experience, grooming three times a week isn’t necessary; once or two twice should do, depending on what the dog has been up to.
I’ve heard of the breed, but it’s not one of the breeds I can immediately recognize on sight. I’ve known how to identity most breeds since age eight. Overall, I’ve always been fond of water-loving breeds, since I love the water myself.
Snoopy is the cutest 🙂
I always wondered about these doggies so this was great to learn about. I don’t get why people cut their hair like a lion…looks stupid if you ask me and would be colder for them in the winter or if in the water.
Not met any of this breed, but soooo cute. 🙂
I hadn’t heard of this breed and wouldn’t think ‘water dog’ to look at them, except for the fur. Good thing it’s so thick for the country they’re used to! I’d say the Newfies have competition with this one:-) I wonder if they’re all that hyper, if it’s a trait of the breed or just that one dog? I bet you were indeed exhausted!
Aww, thanks for the education. They’re adorable, but I’m glad that you found this video on them. It’s nice to know more about them too. What a great way to get to know about a dog. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, that is a lot of Portuguese Water Dog visitors. So what can you really do with a hyper dog? Let it run in circles for awhile? Or is there anything you can do?
The best thing is to tire them out. We used to take the dogs for a daily playgroup into the neighbouring backfield of the local elementary school. They ran around like maniacs and had a wonderful time. Most of them were mellow after that, but not Splash. He wanted to play 24 hours a day! 😛 He just wasn’t used to having other dogs around and it was too exciting for him.
Great subject! I only know of these from the Obama family. I have an assistance dog, and she is an Australian labradoodle, which can look similar, except mine is a mini, so much smaller! Her blog is on mine.
These fellows are brand new to me. I have a rambunctious dog, so I know the drill… 🙂
Amazing how dogs have developed in so many ways to serve so many functions for humans.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
The Portuguese Water Dog was one of the hardest-working breeds around. 🙂
I can believe they are hyper. My son had two Irish Water Spaniels with very similar characteristics at one time. They caused havoc as the River Severn was just across the road and under a railway bridge, The river was a magnet to them.
I’ve never even heard of this breed but I love their history. And they’re adorable!
Never knew this one! Looks too cute though and what lovely fur! Can’t believe they can be so aggressive!
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
I could cuddle them all day long … how adorable!! <3 <3
I havent heard or seen this one. Fascinating post Debbie. I find the pics rather cute and my own Irish terrier is easily excitable and a crazy little fella but v loveable 🙂
Portuguese Water Dogs are gaining in popularity here in North America, but not sure about elsewhere. Irish Terriers are lively, for sure! 🙂
I always associate these dogs with the Obama family – don’t they have two? So they must be pretty special if the President of the US chooses them 🙂 Leanne @ cresting the hill
Apparently yes, The Obamas have two Porties. Perhaps that’s why this breed has become so popular. 🙂
I have never heard of this breed before. Seems like they can have very different temperaments. They look beautiful though.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings (70) | Wittegen Press (72) | FB3X (AC) (73)
Some are on the hyper side. Snoopie is the calmest of the ones I’ve known, but she’s older as well.
I haven’t heard of Portuguese Water dogs before. They look really cute and the name, Splash, seems so apt. 🙂
I never heard of this breed before. What a well of information. I’m really enjoying this. I suppose a Portuguese Water dog would be a great dog to have if you have a beach house. So where do I get a beach house … quick?… Got to make a dog a happy home. 🙂
That would be a great location for a Portuguese Water dog! 🙂
Awwww. I’m in love with Snoopy. He looks like the actual Snoopy! Thanks Deb for educating us all on this dog.
Curly balls of fur. So cute 🙂
I love these posts where you discuss dogs I’ve never seen or heard of before. These dogs are interesting and beautiful. Judging from the description, it sounds as if the name is appropriate. I could see this dog on a farm, hunting with his owner, swimming in the pond to fetch a fallen duck or running through the fields to burn off energy.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts, Darla. 🙂 That sounds like an ideal life for a Portuguese Water Dog.
The first time I heard of the breed was when the Obamas got theirs. They look so cute!
Hi, Corinne; I forgot about the Obama connection. They have two of them. This breed has been popular in Canada for the last decade or so. Thanks for dropping in! 🙂
Happy to learn about Portuguese Water dogs and their unusual activity involving herding fish into nets and acting as couriers between ships. Amazing.
Don’t you hate when you have a dog that has aggression tendencies? I know I do. It sets the whole household into a tension. It’s funny how the attitude in the house changes as soon as the aggressive one leaves. Just like everybody, including myself, breathes a sigh of relief.
Splash sounds like a handful. Snoopie is gorgeous.
I don’t personally know any Portuguese Water Dogs but I know they gained popularity here when the Obamas got one. 🙂
Michele at Angels Bark
You’re right about that, Michele. It does make for a tense situation. Splash wanted to play 24 hours a day and it was hard to get him to settle down. The other dogs warned him off a few times, but he didn’t care. Whew! Elvis was a little strange. He would start out playing nicely, but then get pushy and bark in the other dog’s face, which doesn’t go over too well. Snoopie is a real sweetheart. 🙂 That’s right! I forgot about the Obama connection. They have two of them, I think.