Are Portuguese Water Dogs Hypoallergenic?
Yes! The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized hypoallergenic dog breed. It rarely sheds or drools.
The Portuguese Water Dog, sometimes called the Portie or PWD, is an affectionate and energetic canine companion. These intelligent dogs are easy to train and love spending time outdoors.
A loyal and protective pooch with a water-resistant single coat that rarely sheds. While a firm favorite for the Obamas, Porties are also a fab choice for people with allergies who want an active and kind-natured four-legged friend.
Portuguese Water Dog Quick Facts
The Portuguese Water Dog Physical Characteristics and Coat
Portuguese Water Dogs are adorable and look like teddy bears. But despite their floppy ears and cutesy appearance, underneath all that hair is a strong, muscular, and athletic medium-sized canine with a build that’s perfectly at home in the water — they even have webbed feet.
Portuguese Water Dog’s Coat
Their water-resistant coat can be either tight poodle-like curls or a wavy ‘shaggy-dog’ style. Yet, while Porties carry masses of thick medium-to-long hair, they don’t have an undercoat. And, as for color, this breed can be found in black and white, all-black, white, brown, or brown and white.
Portuguese Water Dog — Height and Weight
Adult male Portuguese Water Dogs can grow to 23 inches tall and weigh up to 60 pounds. Females stand at around 21 inches and weigh up to 50 pounds.
Portuguese Water Dog Temperament
If you’re looking for an affectionate, protective, energetic, and intelligent hypoallergenic dog — look no further! The Portie is a wonderful woof woof and would suit a human with a love of the outdoors and an active lifestyle. That said, Portuguese Water Dogs get on well with children and can make loving family pets.
These exuberant dogs have stacks of energy, but they know how to behave inside the home. The Portie is an athlete, not a hyperactive puppy — these dogs have the stamina to walk and run outside all day but are smart enough to be trained to stay calm indoors.
Porties are friendly but can make excellent watchdogs thanks to their protective nature. They form a strong bond with their humans and love being a part of the family.
Are You Considering Getting a Portuguese Water Dog?
Here’s what to watch out for:
- Portuguese Water Dogs can be chewers — don’t leave your best shoes unattended.
- A bored Portie will find ways to entertain themselves, at your expense.
- They need a lot of exercise.
- These dogs aren’t a wise choice for seniors.
- A Portie wouldn’t be happy alone in the house every day while you work 9-5.
- Their curly hair can form hard mats (like dreadlocks) if you don’t groom them properly.
- Portuguese Water Dogs are sensitive, so don’t be too harsh on them if they do something wrong.
- They aren’t small dogs, and they’re outdoorsy — apartment life isn’t for them.
- Portie puppies are pretty pricey.
Don’t have the time and patience for a complicated and strict puppy training regime? Don’t worry! Porties are super intelligent, and can be trained easily by first-time pet parents.
Like many breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog responds best to positive training methods. If you want your dog to pick up tricks and commands quickly, make sure you have lots of praise and treats at the ready. Porties are known to respond well to obedience training. As they were originally bred to help fishermen, they’re eager to please their masters and love having a job to do.
But, you must housetrain your Portie, as their energetic personality can make home life challenging. Your dog will need to know when it’s appropriate to jump, play and run and when it isn’t.
Portuguese Water Dogs can have an independent side and may try to outsmart their owners or willfully resist commands. Don’t sweat it though, with a consistent training routine, even the most strong-willed Portie will learn to behave and listen to their human.
And, remember, Porties have bags of energy! If your pooch isn’t getting the exercise and mental stimulation they need, they may become destructive and badly behaved.
Portuguese Water Dogs Exercise Needs
As we’ve said, Porties love to exercise. These dogs will thrive as members of an active family — they’re great hiking companions.
In terms of the amount of exercise the Portuguese Water Dog needs, the suggestion is for at least 40 minutes a day. However, Porties were bred to work all day, so you won’t hear any complaints if your walk around the park turns into a 2-hour adventure with your furry friend.
Regular exercise will not only keep your Portuguese Water Dog healthy, but it will also keep them mentally stimulated and happy.
Don’t have the time and patience for a complicated and strict puppy training regime? Don’t worry! Porties are super intelligent, and can be trained easily by first-time pet parents.
Like many breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog responds best to positive training methods. If you want your dog to pick up tricks and commands quickly, make sure you have lots of praise and treats at the ready. Porties are known to respond well to obedience training. As they were originally bred to help fishermen, they’re eager to please their masters and love having a job to do.
But, you must housetrain your Portie, as their energetic personality can make home life challenging. Your dog will need to know when it’s appropriate to jump, play and run and when it isn’t.
Portuguese Water Dogs can have an independent side and may try to outsmart their owners or willfully resist commands. Don’t sweat it though, with a consistent training routine, even the most strong-willed Portie will learn to behave and listen to their human.
And, remember, Porties have bags of energy! If your pooch isn’t getting the exercise and mental stimulation they need, they may become destructive and badly behaved.
Similar Dog Breeds To Portuguese Water Dog
Conclusion
The lovable Portie is a low-shedding medium-sized dog with a gorgeous coat full of curls. The Portuguese Water Dog is not only hypoallergenic, they’re also intelligent, loyal, and affectionate.
Owning a Portie isn’t for everyone. These dogs love to be active and spend lots of time outdoors, they won’t be happy being left inside all day while you go out to work. Also, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time grooming your pooch, you may wish to rethink your breed.
Porties are happy and playful dogs, and they won’t trigger your allergy symptoms. If you’ve been wondering, are Portuguese Water Dogs hypoallergenic — now you know the answer is YES!
Do Portuguese Water Dogs shed?
Hypoallergenic Portuguese Water Dogs hardly shed. They have hair instead of fur and a single coat of curls. The Portie sheds minimally throughout the year and they won’t cover your home in fluff.
Do Portuguese Water Dogs Bark a Lot?
Not really. But when they do, they can be loud! Porties are protective and will likely bark when they perceive a threat — even if that threat is the mailman knocking on the door.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs Good for Allergy Sufferers?
Indeed. Portuguese Water Dogs are a hypoallergenic breed and a good choice for allergy sufferers. As Porties rarely shed or drool, they shouldn’t trigger your allergy symptoms. However, no dog is 100% allergy-friendly — it’s best to spend time with a Portuguese Water Dog before committing to your own Portie puppy.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs Good With Kids?
For sure. They’re especially great for kids who love playing outdoors and are about 7 years or older. Be warned — these dogs are powerful. Most kids can’t walk a full-grown Portie if it’s not leash-trained.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs Good Family Dogs?
They have a lot of energy and are best suited for families with an active lifestyle. Porties are happiest with a family that enjoys long walks, and if there is somewhere nearby for them to swim — even better! However, their bouncy personality may be too much for small children.
Is the Portuguese Water Dog Good for Apartments?
No. Others will disagree with me, but hear me out. Porties love to walk, swim, and play. Many say, providing their exercise needs are met, they should be able to adapt. However, these dogs need outdoor space, and an apartment often lacks this essential.
What Are the Portuguese Water Dog Pros and Cons?
Pros
- Hypoallergenic coat — doesn’t shed much.
- Intelligent.
- Training — quickly and easily.
Cons
- Bored Portuguese Water Dogs may be destructive.
- Requires regular grooming.
Portuguese Water Dog Facts Summary
| Breed | Portuguese Water Dog |
| Other Names? | Portie, PWD |
| Hypoallergenic? | Yes |
| Height | (male) 20 – 23 inches (female) 17 – 21 inches |
| Weight | (male) 42 – 60 pounds (female) 35 – 50 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11 – 13 years |
| Temperament | Active, energetic, playful, loyal, protective, affectionate, adventurous, lovable, friendly |
| Colors | Black, brown, white, black and white, brown and white |
| Coat | Medium/long, wavy or curly, single coat |
| How much grooming? | High maintenance — regular weekly brushing and monthly grooming and the occasional bath. |
| How much shedding | Low-shedding |
| Dander levels | Low |
| Saliva–Drooling and licking frequency? | Low |
| Energy levels | High-energy breed |
| How much exercise do they need? | Active — minimum of 40 minutes daily walk |
| Health problems | Prone to Addison’s Disease, Hip Dysplasia, and GM1 Storage Disease |
| Good for apartment? | No — needs a backyard and plenty of time outdoors |
| Suitable for kids? | Yes, but best suited to families with children over 7 years (due to jumping) |
| How much do they bark? | Average — will bark to warn |
| Can they be left alone? | Not good with being left alone |
| Intelligent? | Intelligent — can outsmart owners if they want to |
| Trainable? | Highly trainable — eager to please and learns quickly |
| How popular as a pet? | Somewhat popular (ranked 44th in AKC’s most popular breeds list) |
| Any other important facts? | Porties are big chewers. When left home alone, these dogs can be destructive and may chew your belongings. |
