Portuguese Water Dog

• Bathing: Bathe your dog once a month to keep their coat healthy, smelling nice, and tangle-free. 
• Brushing: Brush your dog once a week to keep their coat shiny and shedding under control. Using a slicker brush works best for a Portuguese Water Dog’s coat. 
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections. They can recommend the best ear-cleaning products and a cleaning schedule to stick to. 
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them every day with a dog-safe toothpaste like Petsmile Professional Toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when your Portuguese Water Dog puppy is young, so they get used to the experience. Get a cleaning at your vet once a year, too. 
• Nail care: Portuguese Water Dogs need their nails trimmed once a month. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear your dog’s nails tapping as they walk. 

Portuguese Water Dogs tend to be independent-minded. They’re quite smart, but the heart wants what it wants. And maybe it just wants to play fetch.  

However, they’re also eager to please, so they’ll come around to the idea of training if you find what motivates them.  

Begin obedience training with your Portuguese Water Dog puppy early to get them used to it, and teach them cues like sit, stay, and come. Always use positive reinforcement—praise, training treats, and favorite dog toys—to teach your pup how to behave. 

Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, invest time in proper socialization, which involves exposing them to new people, places, and things in a positive manner. The goal is to get your Portuguese Water Dog used to new interactions, so they become a calm and confident adult. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for Portuguese Water Dogs, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).   

Because these pups tend to be very active, you may want to consider a high-protein diet like Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance Dog Food. However, your vet can help you decide if this is right for your dog, especially considering that these pups tend to easily put on weight.  

Remember that treat calories count, too. While they’re important for motivating your dog during training, treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

Portuguese Water Dog puppies are high-energy—and they never lose that enthusiastic spark.  

No matter their age, these pups like to have fun. They’re active, sporty dogs who adore running, hiking, and swimming—and as their pet parent, it’s your job to make all their adventuring dreams come true.  

One hour of exercise every day is ideal, but you could do more if you have the time and energy yourself. A simple walk around the block or time in the backyard isn’t enough for these dogs; they need heart-pounding stimulation. 

A dog sport like agility or dock diving are great options. But their happy place, unsurprisingly given their name, is in the water. Before you choose a spot to splash, just make sure that the water’s safe for your pup. 

Portuguese Water Dogs need mental stimulation, too. This includes interactive toys and games, and they’re great at dog sports that challenge their minds, like flyball.   

Be creative—regular old exercise won’t be stimulating enough for this dog, so always think of new, exciting ways they can see the world and let out some energy.  

A Portuguese Water Dog’s ideal home has bathtubs in every room, a pond in the basement, a pool in the backyard—oh, it’s also adjacent to a lake and happens to face the ocean. Easy-peasy, right?  

That might be their dream space, but in reality, they don’t actually need to be so surrounded by water.  

Portuguese Water Dogs can easily get by in an apartment (as long as they get their exercise), though a home in the suburbs or country might be a better fit. The key is that they need lots of intellectual stimulation when it comes to exercise, so you’ll need to be an active pet parent who likes hiking, camping, or swimming.  

These pups are loyal family dogs who usually get along with kids, other dogs, and cats (just make sure everyone is properly introduced and socialized first).