If you’ve just got a Portuguese water dog puppy or are thinking of getting one, there are things you need to know to care for him or her. It has a pretty unique name due to the fact that it used to be taken on fishing trips many moons ago.
They would retrieve lost equipment as well as try and herd fish into the nets. It is a great choice for a family pet and they are beautiful dogs. They do not shed that much and because they have hair, they are better suited for people with allergies. Let’s take a closer look at these dogs and how best to care for them.
1. Not A Lap-Dog
Though they may have adorable teddy bear looks, they are generally not a lap-dog. They are pretty good with children as well as other pets. They are fun-loving and very affectionate. However, when they are teething, they do tend to get a little more nippy.
2. Intelligence
Porties are an intelligent breed, however, this can also be a blessing and a curse. It is very important for you as the owner to establish authority early on because these dogs are pretty strong-willed and may challenge your authority especially if you are a little gentle or feeble as well as erratic and uncertain. This is not aggression at all; they are clever dogs, so they may think they know better than you! That’s why it is important to stay consistent and be in charge.
3. Close Bond
Porties like to bond with the owner and the family and they love to be around you always and be by your side (awww). Leaving them alone for extended periods is not something they like, so keep this in mind. If you tend to be away a lot, you need to train him or her to get used to this. They just absolutely love to be involved in everything and be treated just like one of the family, which they are, of course.
4. Obedience & Socialization
This part of their care is really important and it should happen fairly early and should also continue indefinitely. Obedience training is a must and they need to socialize with both people and other dogs early on. After he or she receives all the necessary vaccines, enrol him or her in a good obedience school and it is highly recommended that you do so.
5. Grooming
Porties have long, curly and wavy coats. If you cannot comb the hair daily, every other day is good enough to keep them looking good and prevent matting. They also need regular trimming. Their coats are thick and can repel water, so when you bathe them, make sure to wet thoroughly and to rinse off the shampoo properly. Never bathe a dog too often as it can dry their skin. Bathing several times a year spread out evenly is good enough.
These guys are known for being chewers, so you’ll need to have lots of tough chew toys. It can get out of hand with this breed, so make sure to correct them from the get go or they can get nippy with people. Make sure to get a quality puppy food so that they get good nutrition. Get your puppy from a good breeder and if you can, try to meet the parents. A good breeder will ask you lots of questions and will be knowledgeable. Just remember to start many things during their developmental stages and be on top of it to correct them and to show that you are in charge and you will receive unconditional love for years to come.