How to Groom a Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is a sturdy, medium-sized dog with a lively disposition. Its coat is interesting in its varied types, as it can be flat, wavy or have an open or tight curl. The Portuguese Water Dog's coat is usually black and very shiny. They require a full grooming every 4 to 6 weeks and a general grooming at least twice per week.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• #30 blade
• #10 blade
• Natural bristle brush
• Pin brush
• #15 blade

1. Use a #30 blade to style the hair on the body. The Portuguese Water Dog has a coat similar to that of a Poodle, although the hair on this breed grows in much more slowly and there are many different ways to style them. Use a #10 blade on the stomach.

2. Brush thoroughly at least twice per week with a natural bristle brush. Use a slicker brush and a pin brush when needed. Although it's a thick coat, it's only a single coat and thus isn't subject to the tough knots and matting that double coats develop.

3. Use a #15 blade to tidy up the pads of the feet which may have stray hairs.

Tips & Warnings

• Clip dogs with a wavy coat closely at the hindquarters and the nose. Only clip the tail of dogs with curly hair.

• The hair of the Portuguese Water dog is hypo-allergenic, making it good for people with allergies.

• Portuguese Water Dogs originated more than 500 years ago in Portugal for the specific purpose of aiding fishermen. People also used these acutely intelligent animals to send messages from ship to ship and to herd fish.

• This breed has a life expectancy of about 12 to 14 years.

• Some Portuguese Water Dogs are predisposed to hip dysplasia and PRA. Some may also have GM-1 Storage Disease, which is either fatal to a puppy or disappears on its own when they are 6 months old. Test breeding stock for this disease.