Portuguese Water Dog
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Portuguese Water Dog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other names | cão de água português, cão de água algarvio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common nicknames | Portie, PWD, Wa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Origin | Portugal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dog ( domestic dog ) |
The Portuguese Water Dog originated from the Algarve region of Portugal. From there the breed expanded to all around Portugal's coast, where they were taught to herd fish into fishermen's nets, retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore.[1] Portuguese Water Dogs rode in
In Portuguese, the breed is called cão de água (IPA: [ˈkɐ̃w dɨ ˈaɣwɐ]; literally 'dog of water'). In Portugal, the dog is also known as the Algarvian Water Dog (cão de água algarvio), or Portuguese Fishing Dog (cão pescador português). Cão de água de pêlo ondulado is the name given to the wavy-haired variety, and cão de água de pêlo encaracolado is the name for the curly-coated variety.[3]
The Portuguese Water Dog is a fairly rare breed; only 36 Portuguese Water Dogs were entered for Britain's Crufts competition in 2013.[4] Though some breeders claim they are a hypoallergenic dog breed, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that hypoallergenic dog breeds exist.[5] Their non-shedding qualities have made them more popular in recent years. The Portuguese Water Dog was the chosen breed of US President Barack Obama, who had two of them, Bo and Sunny.[6] The Obama family chose Sunny for the breed's comparatively hypoallergenic nature, while Bo was given to them by Senator Ted Kennedy.[7]
Description
Portuguese and
Male Portuguese Water Dogs usually grow to be about 20 to 23 inches (51 to 58 cm) tall, and they weigh between 40 and 60 pounds (18 and 27 kg), while the females usually grow to be about 17 to 21 inches (43 to 53 cm) tall, and they weigh between 35 and 50 pounds (16 and 23 kg).[9]
Coat types
PWDs have a single-layered coat that does not shed
Most PWDs, especially those shown in
From the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Revised Standard for the Portuguese Water Dog come these descriptions of the two coat types:[12]
- Curly coat: "Compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless. The hair on the ears is sometimes wavy."[12]
- Wavy coat: "Falling gently in waves, not curls, and with a slight sheen."[12]
Many dogs have mixed pattern hair: curly all over the body but wavy on the tail and ears.[13]
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White is one of the less-common colours among PWDs.
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Two parti-colored Portuguese Water Dogs, female curly in front and male wavy at rear
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Black and white wavy
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Image of PWD
Grooming styles
If left untended, the hair on a PWD will keep growing indefinitely. Problems associated with this include the hair around the eyes growing so long as to impede vision, and matting of the body hair, which can cause skin irritations. For these reasons, PWDs must be trimmed about every two months and the coat brushed every other day.[14]
The coat is usually worn in a "retriever cut" or a "lion cut".[15]
The lion cut
In the lion cut, the hindquarters, muzzle, and the base of the tail are shaved, with approximately 1/3 of the tail hair left long, also known as a flag, and the rest of the body is left full length. This traditional cut originated with the fishing dogs of Portugal. The lion cut diminished the initial shock of cold water when jumping from boats, as well as providing warmth to the vitals. The hindquarters were left shaved to allow easier movement of the back legs and the powerful, rudder-like tail.[13]
The retriever cut
The retriever cut is one inch (2.5 cm) long, evenly over the body (although some owners prefer the muzzle or the base of the tail shorter, again, with approximately 1/3 of the tail hair left long, also known as a flag,). This cut is a more recent style and originated because breeders wanted to make the breed more appealing to buyers. Sometimes owners will clip the hair of their dogs very short, especially in the summer months, in modified retriever cut.[13]
Vocalisation
Portuguese Water Dogs have a multi-octave voice. They tend to be quiet dogs although they will warn when the home is approached, and they will communicate their desires vocally and behaviorally to their owner. Their bark is loud and distinctive. They may engage in "expressive panting", by making a distinct "ha-ha-ha-ha" sound as an invitation to play or to indicate a desire for nearby food. They sometimes whine.[13]
The PWD's biddability, high intelligence, and tendency to vocalise and then seek out its human master when specific alarms occur make it an ideal hearing-ear or deaf-assistance dog. PWDs can be readily trained to bark loudly when a telephone rings, and then to find and alert a hard-of-hearing or deaf master.[13]
Temperament
Portuguese Water dogs are loving, independent, and intelligent and are easily trained in obedience and agility skills. They are generally friendly to strangers and enjoy being petted.[13]
Because they are working dogs, PWDs are generally content in being at their master's side, awaiting directions, and, if they are trained, they are willing and able to follow complex commands. They learn very quickly, seem to enjoy the training, and have a long memory for the names of objects. These traits and their non-shedding coats mean they excel at the various service dog roles such as hearing dogs (assistance dogs for the deaf), mobility dogs, and seizure response dogs. They also make unusually good therapy dogs.[13]
A PWD usually stays in proximity to its owners, both indoors and outdoors. Although very gregarious animals, these dogs will typically bond with one primary family member. Some speculate that this intense bonding arose in the breed because the dogs were selected to work in proximity to their masters on small fishing boats, unlike other working dogs such as herding dogs and water dogs that range out to perform tasks. In any case, the modern PWD, whether employed on a boat or kept as a pet or a working dog, loves water and attention and prefers to be engaged in activity within sight of a human partner. This is not a breed to be left alone for long periods of time, indoors or out.[citation needed]
As water dogs, the PWD's retrieving instinct is strong, which also gives some dogs tugging and chewing tendencies. A PWD will commonly jump as a greeting. Owners may choose to limit this behavior. Some PWDs may walk, hop, or "dance" on their hind legs when greeting or when excited. Some PWDs will stand upright at kitchen counters and tables, especially if they smell food above them. This habit is known as "counter surfing" and is characteristic of the breed.
Because of their intelligence and working drive, they require regular intensive exercise as well as mental challenges. They are gentle and patient—but not "
History
In ancient times
The Portuguese Water Dog and the Poodle appear to have developed from the same ancient genetic pool: At one time the Poodle was a longer-coated dog, as is one variety of the Portuguese Water Dog. PWD breeders say that the current-day Poodle, Kerry Blue Terrier, and Irish Water Spaniel are possible ancestors of the "water dog".[16]
Modern history
The PWD was a breed on the verge of extinction when, during the 1930s, Vasco Bensaude, a wealthy Portuguese shipping magnate, began to seek out fishermen's dogs for use in a breeding program to re-establish the breed. Bensaude's kennel was named Algarbiorum, and his most famous dog was Leão (1931–1942), a very "type-y" (that is, standard-conformant) fisherman's
António Cabral was the founder of the Alvalade kennels in Portugal. Ch. Charlie de Alvalade (Charlie), a brown-coated dog, and C. B. Baluarte de Alvalade (Balu) were two of his many famous PWDs. He registered his first PWD in 1954 after Bensaude had pioneered the re-establishment of the breed in Portugal. Cabral worked with Carla Molinari, Deyanne Miller, Sonja Santos and others to establish PWDs in the US. The "Mark of Cabral" is a triangular shape of different color/textured hair, usually 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) from the base of the tail.[citation needed]
Deyanne Miller is the person most responsible for the rise of the PWD in America. In 1972, the Millers, along with 14 others, formed the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc. (PWDCA).[17] She worked with dogs from both the Cintron and Cabral lineages to establish a stable genetic pool of PWDs in the US at her Farmion kennels. Another early US breeder of PWDs was the actor Raymond Burr.[3]
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US President Barack Obama and his family with Bo, their Portuguese Water Dog
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Bo in the Cabinet Room (shown with Oval Office director Brian Mosteller)
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Modern Portuguese Water Dogs are agile swimmers.
Genetic diseases
As with all
Hip dysplasia
Like poodles, PWDs are vulnerable to hip dysplasia, a congenital and developmental problem with the hip joints.[18] However, the risk of a PWD developing hip dysplasia can be greatly reduced by thoroughly checking the pedigrees and health clearances in both the sire and dam of the dog.
Cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and distichiasis
Ingrown eyelashes (
GM1 storage disease
Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy
Breeders now have a DNA gene-based test, based on a cheek swab or a blood sample, which will determine if a dog is a carrier of the gene for juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. All breeding animals can be tested to determine their status, thus avoiding the breeding of two carriers.[20] A puppy from a sire or dam without the gene will not be affected with this fatal disease.[20]
See also
References
- ^ Portuguese Water Dog. Dogs 101. Animal Planet. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
These versatile aquatic animals have been helping humans with water work for centuries. The Spanish Armada relied on Portuguese Water Dogs to carry messages from vessel to vessel...This rugged animal was bred to assist fisherman at sea. 'They did everything from retrieving fishnets to actually chasing fish or scaring fish into the nets themselves.' Exceptional swimmers and divers, Porties also retrieve lost tackles and rescue drowning sailors.
- ISBN 1-903098-75-0.
- ^ ISBN 0-87605-262-6.
- ^ "Crufts 2013 Results". 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ Li, James. "Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?". Mayo Clinic.
"There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog breed
- ^ Leonard, Tom (12 April 2009). "Obamas choose Portuguese water dog called 'Bo'". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "World | Obama family 'picks first puppy'". BBC News. 12 April 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ISSN 0362-4331.(subscription required)
- ^ "The Kennel Club". Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- ^ Go Pets America: Dogs that do not shed - Retrieved September 7, 2008
- ^ "Dogs that don't shed: large & small breeds list". www.thekennelclub.org.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- ^ a b c "Revised Standard for the Portuguese Water Dog". Portuguese Water Dog Society of America, Inc. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Portuguese Water Dog - CachorroSeguro.com". www.cachorroseguro.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- ^ "Portuguese Water Dog Club of America". 2 March 2019.
- ^ "PWD Grooming Guides". Portuguese Water Dog Society of America, Inc. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- ^ "History". Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (pwdca.org). Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ The Portuguese Water Dog became known as the "lion dog" due to the appearance of this clip: Kathryn Braund & Deyanne Farrell Miller (1986). "History of the Portuguese Water Dog". The Complete Portuguese Water Dog. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013.
- ^ a b c "Portuguese Water Dogs," Susan Muller-Esnault, DVM. 20 January 2009. Retrieved on 14 April 2009. http://www.critterology.com/articles/portuguese-water-dogs Archived 16 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- S2CID 26606832.
- ^ a b c "Health Issues". www.pwdca.org. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
Further reading
- Foster, Verne K. Portuguese Water Dog: A Guide for the New Owner (1st ed.). vkfosterPublishing. ISBN 978-0997506402.
External links
- Portuguese Water Dog at Curlie