The Portuguese Water Dog, also known as the Cao de Aqua, the Portuguese Fishing Dog, the Portie, and the Water Dog, is an old breed used to herd fish into nets, to retrieve lost tackle and to act as a courier from ship to ship, or ship to shore. This hardy breed worked from the warm Atlantic waters of Portugal to the chilly waters off the coast of Iceland. The Portie is known for its unique appearance when clipped in a lion trim, and for its distinctive webbed feet. The Portie was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1983 and classified in the working dog breed group.
The adult male Portuguese Water Dog stands 20 to 23 inches at the withers; adult bitches stand 17 to 21 inches in height. Males weigh 42 to 60 pounds, and females weigh 35 to 50 pounds. Their hair requires regular brushing and grooming cuts, but they shed very little and are considered to be a hypoallergenic dog.
The precise ancestry of the Portuguese Water Dog is not known. Some experts claim that this breed traces back to 700 B.C., to the wild Central-Asian steppes near the Chinese and Russian border. Early inhabitants of that area raised cattle, sheep, camels, horses and dogs. History has it that some of these rugged Asian herding dogs were captured by the Berbers, who slowly migrated across North Africa to Morocco. Their descendants, the Moors, came
Portuguese Water Dogs are known for two things: their skill in the water and their sense of humor. This breed was used on Portuguese fishing boats to herd fish, catch fish, and carry messages between boats. The fishermen regarded them as part of the crew and allowed them to eat the fish and even paid the dogs for their services. The camaraderie of the fishing boat made them people dogs, they love spending time with
The Portuguese Water Dog is a muscular, medium size dog with a hardy build. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a straight, level topline. The chest is broad and the brisket reaches the elbows. The head of is large and broad and should have a pronounced occiput and stop. The ears are heart-shaped and hang down next to the head. The eyes are dark, alert and expressive. The tail is thick
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