Is the Portuguese Water Dog a good family dog?

Portuguese Water Dogs are known for being affectionate, adventurous, athletic. They are generally considered adaptable with children. As with all breeds, supervised interaction with young children is recommended.

How much exercise does a Portuguese Water Dog need daily?

Portuguese Water Dogs are an active breed and need at least 1–2 hours of vigorous exercise daily, plus mental enrichment to prevent boredom.

Medium breed Active energy Curly coat Working Group

Portuguese Water Dog

Affectionate, Adventurous, Athletic

The Portuguese Water Dog is super-smart and very biddable—meaning he’s easy to train and eager to please. The breed can be groomed in two styles: The retriever clip (the entire coat is clipped to one inch in length, with the tail tip at full length) or the more check-me-out lion…

⚖️ 35–60 lbs 📏 17–23" 🎂 11–13 years

Estimate Portuguese Water Dog costs Find Portuguese Water Dog names

Energy

80%

Shedding

60%

Trainability

80%

Grooming

80%

Friendliness

60%

Coat Type

Curly coat Daily Brushing

Portuguese Water Dog food & nutrition tools

Chef Paw (US) · Appliances

ChefPaw Dog Food Maker

Revolutionary countertop pet food maker, simplifying the process of crafting fresh and highly-nutrit…

$639.98 Shop now →

Affiliate link — no extra cost to you

Portuguese Water Dog training & walking gear

🐾

JugBow · Training

JugBow No-Pull Training Harness

Dual-clip training harness with front and back D-rings. Reflective stitching, padded chest plate, an…

$34.99 Shop now →

Affiliate link — no extra cost to you

For Portuguese Water Dog owners

Crown and Paw · Gifts

The Veteran - Custom Pet Canvas

Premium 8" x 10" custom pet canvas. Turn your pet into a legendary military veteran.

$46.86 Shop now →

Affiliate link — no extra cost to you

Affiliate disclosure: PupWiki may earn a commission from qualifying partner links, at no extra cost to you. Availability and pricing can change.

Needs 60-90 minutes active exercise daily; thrives with a job or sport.

Seasonal shedder — daily brushing during spring and fall coat blows is essential.

Coat requires daily brushing to prevent matting; professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.

Recommended for experienced owners — higher owner difficulty rating of 8/10.
Urban-friendly: adapts well to apartment or townhouse living when daily exercise is consistent.
Naturally friendly and energetic, this breed fits best with early socialization and clear routines.
Working heritage means structured activity matters — under-stimulation can lead to problem behaviors.