The Portuguese Water Dog
Canadian Kennel Club Standard with 2001 Revisions
Origin and Purpose
For centuries, this seafaring breed existed everywhere along the coast of
Portugal and is considered a purely Portuguese breed. Owing to modifications in
the fishing systems used, the breed has become restricted to the province of
Algarve which should be considered it’s home. It was prized by fishermen for
its spirited yet obedient nature and a robust, medium build that allowed for a
full day’s work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog is an
athletic swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina. He aided his
master at sea by retrieving gear and broken nets, herding schools of fish and
carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and an
alert guard.
General Appearance
The Portuguese Water Dog is defined by his job. He has a hard, penetrating and
attentive expression, splendid sight and a fair nose. Slightly longer than tall,
he is a medium sized, sturdy, athletic, swimming dog with webbed feet, short
neck and a wavy or curly coat to protect him from the elements, whether in the
water or on land. From his impressive head with piercing gaze through a rugged
body to his powerful tail carried up in a ring with its characteristic flowing
flag, he presents an indelible impression of strength, spirit and soundness.
Temperament
An animal of spirited disposition, he is self-willed, brave and very resistant
to fatigue. Exceptionally intelligent and a loyal companion, he does his job
with facility and obvious pleasure.
Head
Well proportioned and massive.
Skull
Seen in profile it is slightly longer than the muzzle, its curvature more
accentuated at the back than in front and it possesses a well defined occiput.
From the front the parietal bones are seen to be dome-shaped and to have a
slight depression in the middle. The forehead has a central furrow for two
thirds of the length of the parietals and the frontal bones are prominent.
Muzzle
Is narrower at the nose that at its base. The stop, which is well defined, is
slightly further back than the inner corner of the eyes.
Nose
Wide. Nostrils well open and finely pigmented. Black, in animals with black,
black and white or white coats. In browns the nose is of the same colour as the
coat. Flesh-coloured or discoloured noses are a major fault.
Lips
Thick, especially in front. Inner corner of lips not apparent. Mucous membrane
(roof of mouth, under the tongue and gums) well ticked with black or quite
black.
Jaws
Strong and neither over nor undershot.
Teeth
Not apparent. Canines strongly developed.
Eyes
Medium sized, set well apart and a bit obliquely, roundish and neither prominent
nor sunken. Brown or black in colour. The eyelids, which are of fine texture
have black edges. No haw.
Ears
Leather heart-shaped, thin in texture and set well above the line of the eyes.
Except for a small opening at the back, the ears are held nicely against the
head. The tips should not reach below the beginning of the neck.
Neck
Straight, short, nicely rounded and held high. Strongly muscled. No mane and no
dewlap.
Brisket
Wide and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs long and well sprung.
Withers
Wide and not prominent.
Back
Short and nicely joined to the croup.
Abdomen
Held well up in a graceful line.
Croup
Well formed and only slightly inclined with hips hardly apparent.
Tail
Not docked, thick at the base and tapering; medium setting. It should not reach
down below the hock. When the dog is attentive the tail should be held in a
ring, the front of which should not reach beyond the line of the kidneys. The
tail is of great help when swimming and diving.
Forelegs
Strong and straight.
Shoulder
Well inclined and very strongly muscled.
Upper Arm
Strong and of regular length, parallel to the medial body line.
Forearm
Long and strongly muscled.
Knee
Heavy boned, wider in front than at the side.
Pastern
Long and strong.
Fore Feet
Round and rather flat. Toes not too knuckled up and not too long. The membrane
between the toes, which reaches the tip of these, is of soft skin, well covered
with hair. Black nails are preferred but whites, browns and striped are allowed
according to the colour of the coat. Nails held up slightly off the ground.
Central pad very thick, others normal.
Hind Legs
Straight and very strongly muscled.
Thigh
Strong and of regular length. Very strongly muscled. Thigh bone parallel to the
medial body line.
Second Thigh Long and strongly muscled, parallel to the medial body line.
Decidedly inclined from front to back.
All the tendons well developed.
Buttocks
Long and well curved.
Hock
Strong
Metatarsus
Long. No dewclaws.
Hind Feet
Similar, in all respects, to the fore feet
Position of Legs
Regular. It is admissible for the front legs to be held so that feet are
slightly in front of the perpendicular and the back legs, from the hock
downwards, also a bit forward.
Gait
First and foremost a working dog, the Portuguese Water Dog’s trotting gait
should be effortless, balanced and sound. He should display a proud carriage and
a light, happy attitude with the tail carried high in a ring over the back. He
should be gaited at a moderate speed. There should be good reach and strong
drive with a level topline. At increased speed there will be a tendency to
converge. Movement from front and rear will be clean and true. The walking gait
is light with short steps and the gallop energetic.
Coat
Profuse coat, of strong hair, covering the whole body evenly, except for the
under-arms and groin where it is thinner.
Varieties
1. The hair is fairly long, wavy, rather loose with a slight sheen. The
hair on the top of the head is upright and that on the ears decidedly longer
than the leather.
2. The hair is shorter, forms compact cylindrical curls, thickly planted
and somewhat lusterless. On the top of the head the hair is similar to that of
the rest of the coat, whereas that on the ears is sometimes wavy. Colours are
black, white and various tones of brown; also combinations of black, or brown
with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth and
eyelids are black. In animals with black, white, or black and white coats, the
skin is decidedly bluish. There is no undercoat.
Clips
Lion Clip The middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle,
must be clipped. The rest of the coat is left long. The hair on the end of the
tail is left at full length.
Retriever Clip The entire coat is scissored or clipped to follow the
outline of the dog, leaving a short blanket of coat appearing no more than one
inch in length. The hair on the end of the tail is left at full length. Hair on
the ears is trimmed to the leathers. No discrimination will be made against the
correct presentation of a dog in either Lion Clip or Retriever Clip.
