PWD History & Info

The PWD - A working dog in all respects

This is the basic information that everyone wants to know about the PWD. The key to the PWD is the answer to the questions 'what is meant by hypoallergenic and how did the ancestor of the PWD arrive on the Algarve and who brought it?' My favoured answer is below.

Why own a PWD Puppy?

Our beloved pets provide us with many health benefits. The Center for Disease Control in the USA states that owning a pet can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness. A plaque in my kitchen says "Dogs are not our whole lives but make our lives whole". This is a true reflection of how we feel towards our dogs here at ROBENGER Kennel. The PWD breed is a magnificent breed in that it has tremendous loyalty and apparent affection for its owners.

Note also that the PWD is a hypoallergenic dog. What does this mean? It means that the dander (skin cells) that are breathed in have no or little effect on the allergy sufferer and therefore no symptoms. Symptoms of an allergic sufferer include itchy eyes, rashes, a runny nose, congestion, hoarseness, wheezing, and sneezing. Many people think that the hair or fur on their pet is the source of allergies. Actually, the source is a protein found in pet dander. When your body develops a sensitivity to pet dander, exposure to the allergen will release histamine and allergy symptoms will develop.

Some dogs are considered "hypoallergenic" (less allergenic) because they do not shed as often. Portuguese Water Dogs, Poodles, Airedales, and Schnauzers shed their skin every 20 days or so, while other breeds like basset hounds and German shepherds shed their skin every three or four days. Unfortunately, even "hypoallergenic" dogs produce dander and will cause reactions in hyper-sensitive individuals. Experience with these hyper-sensitive people has shown me that with sufficient support from a GP and diligent bathing of the dog and cleaning of the home then the allergic affects can be over come.

This experience was gained from the puppies that we have bred. About 35% of the owners stated that a member of the family has allergic reactions to pets. All but one did not have any reaction to their PWD Puppy and now are living with a dog with no reaction at all.

There was one young girl though that was hyper-sensitive to pet dander. She fell in love with the puppy that they selected and took home. Within a couple of months she had no reaction to the puppy and they now live in pet allergy free harmony.

The fact that the Portuguese Water Dog has been around for a long time is without question.

There is documented evidence of the breed being around in the 12th century, or at least of a dog which closely resembled the modern PWD being a dog which had a “black coat of rough hair, cut to the first rib and with a tuft on the tip of his tail.”

The dog was originally bred to assist the fishermen and the work it does is unique. It is taken out on the fishing boats, and works as a retriever of tackle that falls or is washed over-board, fish that jump the nets or line, a life saver, and as a courier from boat to boat or shore as the need arises. As well as being a strong swimmer he has the ability to dive underwater if needed.

The Portuguese Water Dog has very keenly developed senses with a good sense of smell, acute hearing and keen eyesight. His intense loyalty and sensitivity to the atmosphere around, not forgetting a loud and fairly deep bark, made him useful as a guard on the fisherman's boat. He was highly valued and was treated as part of the crew, receiving a ‘wage’ which took the form of part of the catch. As technology developed the Water Dog’s role diminished and, in the 1960s, it was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the rarest breed of pedigree dog.

The PWD is tireless and, although keen to learn, he does have a very definite streak of obstinacy, being wilful and determined, traits that need to be controlled from a young age as, without firm direction, he may become unruly.

The PWD is the eternal optimist of the dog world and always ready to join in activities, especially games and definitely prefers company. He mixes well with other breeds of dog and has a seemingly endless supply of energy. He is well suited to canine activities such as agility and working trials and although quite capable of obedience exercises to a good standard he is likely to find this work at the higher levels a little stifling for his exuberant nature. He really prefers more physical activities which allow him the freedom to express his personality. This is a dog with a fair amount of coat to look after and regular grooming is essential to keep it in good order.

This is not a breed for everybody, being a coated, lively outgoing character with a mind of its own. In the right hands with correct training he is a valued member of the family that will repay the time invested in him without any ulterior motives.

The History of the Breed.

There are a few explanations of how the PWD became the fisherman’s friend on the Algarve. The explanation that I believe is likely to be the accurate one is this.  A brief and concise history of the breed is that the PWD is the consummate working water dog.

The Portuguese water dog probably shares some of his ancestry with the poodle, puli, newfoundland, French barbet plus many more.

Their ancestors were herding dogs from the central Asian steppes, either brought to Portugal by way of the Visigoths in the fifth century or by way of the Berbers and then Moors in the eighth century. Once in Portugal, this breed distinguished himself through his affinity for water, eventually herding fish into nets, retrieving lost nets or equipment, and serving as a boat-to-boat or boat-to-shore courier. 

Later these dogs were part of trawler crews fishing the waters from Africa to Iceland. The breed is known in his native land as cao de agua (pronounced kown-d'ahgwa), which means dog of water. He comes in a long-haired variety known as the cao de agua de pelo ondulado and a curly-coated variety known as the cao de agua de pelo encaradolado. With the demise of traditional fishing methods, the Portuguese fishermen and their dogs began to disappear from the coast in the early 20th century.

The breed was saved largely through the attempts of one man, Vasco Bensuade, a wealthy shipping magnate.

He promoted the breed, and through his efforts, the breed club was reorganized, a standard was written and the first dogs were exhibited in the show ring.

A review of the history of the Portuguese water dog across Europe reveals that there are two conflicting theories of how the dog arrived on the Algarve. One is that it was a dog that came across the Steppes and Tundra of the Asian continent by a tribe called the Goths.  These tribes journeyed across the European continent 2000 to 1500 years ago.

They used a dog similar to the breeds that we know now as the French Barbet (pronounced bar-bay) and over the millennia, various breeds developed.  Totally unsubstantiated is my theory that the line of dog breed was also spread by the forces of the crusades of the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. 

It may also be a fact that the returning crusaders brought a dog that became a water dog of the fens in East Anglia.  This dog died out when the fens were drained by the Dutch engineer Vermuden in the 17th century.

There is another theory that a breed of dog, once again described like a Barbet was brought over from North Africa by the Moors.  And once again with breeding and selection, the spaniel breeds developed from these lines. The Spanish and Portuguese water dogs also developed over the hundreds of years since the Moors arrived.