Portuguese Water Dog Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

Portuguese Water Dog Summary

The Portuguese Water Dog, as its name suggests, naturally takes to the water. Originally bred in Portugal, these hardy dogs found work all along the Portuguese coast, helping fishermen in a variety of ways, Adept on land and in the sea, these agile dogs could drive fish right into their owners’ nets, and they made quick work of retrieving lost items. With curly, non-shedding coats similar to those of their close relatives, Spanish Water Dog and the poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog has become quite the popular pet for people with allergies. Extremely smart and easily trained, these dogs make a great addition to the family.

Portuguese Water Dog Growth and Weight Chart by Age

The chart below shows the average weight range for Portuguese Water Dogs at various ages. Females generally weigh a bit less than males throughout their growth cycle. The size of individual Portuguese Water Dogs may vary, but this chart will give owners a good idea of what to expect.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Stop Growing

Growth happens gradually in this breed during their first year. They should see the vet about once a month during the first four months, and then yearly after that. Your Portuguese Water Dog’s growth should level off by the time it reaches about 8 to 12 months of age. They tend to attain their full adult weight by the time they reach 18 months.

You should feed your adult Portuguese Water Dog two meals per day. The total amount of food depends on your dog’s size, their activity level, and the particular type of food you are using. Expect to feed your dog a total of about 2 to 3 cups of high-quality food per day. Make sure to check the feeding instructions and feed according to your dog’s size. Avoid overfeeding, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.

How Big Will My Portuguese Water Dog Be When It’s Fully Grown?

The size of a fully grown Portuguese Water Dog largely depends on its sex. These dogs usually weigh between about 35 to 60 pounds at maturity. Females tend to weigh between about 35 to 50 pounds, whereas males average about 42 to 60 pounds. At maturity, a Portuguese Water Dog should stand between about 17 and 23 inches tall. Again, females tend to be smaller, reaching heights of about 17 to 21 inches, while males attain heights of around 20 to 23 inches.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Be Spayed or Neutered

Portuguese Water Dogs were once considered the rarest dog breed in the world. As recently as 1981, only 85 of these dogs remained in the world. The breed almost became extinct. Owners banded together and worked to carefully breed the remaining stock. Today, the number of dogs of this breed has increased, but breeders still face many challenges, as the gene pool remains small.

If you own a healthy Portuguese Water Dog without one of the genetic defects that breeders have diligently worked to avoid, you may not wish to spay or neuter your dog, at least until you have responsibly bred a litter or two. However, if you do not plan to breed your dog, whether due to genetic defects or simply a lack of desire to bring puppies into the world, you should spay or neuter the animal. The best timing for this procedure may be between about 11 and 23 months of age, according to the American Kennel Club.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Be House Broken?

You can begin housetraining your puppy as soon as you bring it home. Many owners recommend combining potty training and crate training. Be as consistent as you can, taking your puppy outside as soon as you get up in the morning and at regular intervals throughout the day. Remember that puppies cannot wait more than 3 or 4 hours to go potty. Don’t use punishment to potty train your dog. Instead, use consistent routines and rewards for a job well done. Be patient and do not expect to see great progress until the puppy is about 16 weeks old. Before that time, it lacks the bladder control to consistently make it outside.

When Should My Portuguese Water Dog Stop Eating Puppy Food?

You should switch your Portuguese Water Dog from puppy food to a high-quality adult dog food, such as the Purina Pro Plan varieties, sometime around 10 to 18 months of age. Switching too early or too late can have a detrimental effect on your dog’s health. If you are unsure about the timing, err on the side of caution and stick with puppy food until you can speak with your veterinarian.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Start Losing Teeth?

Dogs of this breed begin to lose their teeth at around 4 to 5 months of age. The process can be quite painful and can last up to 6 months. Puppies will chew on just about anything they can during this time. Put away objects you do not want destroyed and provide your puppy with lots of safe chew toys to help ease their pain.

When Should I Start Training My Portuguese Water Dog?

You can start training your puppy from the time you bring it home. Basic crate training and initial potty training should begin immediately. This type of training should be done gently and consistently, with rewards for good behavior and not punishment. You can continue on to simple training, moving toward more advanced cues as your dog gets older. As highly intelligent working dogs, this breed adapts very well to activities such as agility training. However, be careful not to introduce jumps until the dog is at least a year old, or until allowed by your veterinarian. These can injure a dog’s joints if introduced too early.

What Cues Should I Teach My Portuguese Water Dog First?

Simple cues are best for training your puppy at the earliest ages. Most puppies can learn to sit very easily if presented with a treat and verbal encouragement. A little praise can help your dog learn to stay, lie down, and shake. Try introducing speak as an early cue. Dogs of this breed are remarkably verbal, and may love talking for treats. And of course, don’t forget to work on cues like come, heel, and drop it.

When Will My Portuguese Water Dog Calm Down?

Like many other working dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs have a lot of energy even as adults. They may not begin to calm down until they pass the 18-month mark, and some remain as energetic as puppies until they are 3 or 4 years old. You can help your dog calm down by providing it with lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Consider obedience training, especially if you lack experience with energetic dogs. And make sure to socialize your dog well as a puppy. All of these tips will help you to raise a well-behaved adult dog that fits into your family happily.

Common Health Issues Your Portuguese Water Dog Might Experience

Because members of this breed all come from a very small gene pool, having nearly gone extinct in the late 20^th century, they may suffer from a large number of common and rare disorders. These health issues can include obesity, diabetes, a variety of eye problems, and Addison’s disease. They are prone to hip dysplasia and other bone and joint issues. These dogs may have bowel problems, kidney and bladder issues, and bleeding disorders. They may also suffer from cancer, epilepsy, and other conditions. Some serious disorders arise from genetic conditions. Dogs should be tested for these conditions before breeding to help eliminate them from the bloodline.

Pictures of Portuguese Water Dogs as Puppies

Pictures of Portuguese Water Dogs at 6 Months

Pictures of Fully Grown Portuguese Water Dogs

The photo featured at the top of this post is © LynMc42k/iStock via Getty Images