blue collar

The Portuguese Water Dog have been getting their 15 minutes of fame as the First Family's dog, and it’s easy to understand why they chose this breed as their family’s companion. These cute and cuddly pups are water-loving canines that enjoy nothing more than being by your side and playing the day away. Full-grown, they typically weigh 35-60 pounds and stand 17-23 inches tall.

Portuguese Water Dogs are generally excellent with children of all ages. Portuguese Water Dogs are wonderful companions for adults and kids alike. They enjoy being friends with just about anyone, including other pets and animals. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

The Portuguese Water Dog need mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis. This breed loves to swim and has a great time retrieving sticks or balls from the water (hence their aquatic name). They enjoy competing in agility trials or other dog sports as well. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

The Portuguese Water Dog has a coat of dense, circular curls or gentle waves with a light sheen. The most common colors are black, brown, white, black and white, or brown and white. Parti-color white and black coats are growing in popularity too. Grooming-wise, this breed is fairly high-maintenance. Portuguese Water Dogs are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Portuguese Water Dogs are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. Their moderate size (typically 35-60 pounds) make Portuguese Water Dogs a good fit for a home or apartment. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.