Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is a primitive breed that accompanied Portuguese fishermen along the coast of the Algarve and the Alentejo coast for centuries. It was indispensable in tuna fishing traps and on fishing voyages, where it served as an assistant to herd fish schools toward nets, retrieve fishing gear fallen into the sea, carry messages between boats, and as a faithful guard of ships and fishermen's belongings. It is an exceptional swimmer and diver, with full interdigital webbing and a water-resistant coat. In the 1970s, the breed was considered the rarest in the world (Guinness Book of Records, 1981), but it was recovered thanks to dedicated breeders. Today it is internationally known and gained enormous notoriety when President Obama chose two Portuguese Water Dogs for his family during his presidency (2009–2017).

The Portuguese Water Dog has an impetuous, willful, courageous, sober, and extraordinarily fatigue-resistant temperament — characteristics shaped by centuries of intense work in open sea. It is a dog with a serious expression and penetrating gaze, with excellent vision and sense of smell. It is intelligent, loyal, and obedient to those who handle and work with it, revealing a deep sense of partnership with humans. It is a dog of great energy that needs regular physical and mental exercise. It is active, playful, and very affectionate with the family.