Portuguese fishermen ranged from the Atlantic coast of their own country to the frigid fishing grounds of Newfoundland in their quest for cod. Assisting them were medium-size, curly-coated dogs who drove fish into nets, retrieved lost tackle, and swam messages from boat to boat.

Known variously as the Cao de Agua (dog of the water) and Portuguese fishing dog, these canine helpmeets developed into what we know today as the Portuguese Water Dog, a calm, intelligent, and--of course--water-loving breed. In fact, one of their distinctive characteristics is their webbed feet.

Porties, as they're nicknamed, are fun-loving and friendly. For an active family, especially one with a swimming pool, nearby beach, or boat, they can be an excellent choice. They thrive with training and are well suited to dog sports such as agility, obedience, rally, therapy work, tracking, and water work.

No matter what activity you choose, make sure your Portie gets daily exercise--without it they can become frustrated and destructive. Swimming is a natural choice, but they also make great walking or jogging buddies.

Like his relative the Poodle, the Portie has a reputation for being hypoallergenic. It's not quite true--there's really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. All dogs shed and produce dander to some degree. But the Portie doesn't shed much.

(Because the amount of shedding and dander varies from dog to dog--even in the same breed--the best way to know if you'll have an allergic reaction to a particular dog is to spend time with him.)

With training, there's very little the Portie can't do. He's adaptable to many living situations--with enough exercise he can be an apartment dog--and tends to be quiet around the home. Affectionate and loyal, fun-loving and hard working, the Portuguese Water Dog can be a treasured friend to the right person.

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