A breed standard is the blue print for the breed

ORIGIN & 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 its 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 the shore.  

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.  SIZE  Height:  Dogs, 50 to 57 cm (19.75 to 22.5 in); the ideal being 54 cm (21.25 in)  Bitches, 43 to 52 cm (17 to 20.5 in); the ideal being 46 cm (18 in)  Weight:  Dogs, 19 to 25 kg (42 to 55 lb); bitches, between 16 to 22 kg (35.25 to 48.5 lb)  

COAT  

Profuse coat, of strong hair, covering the whole body evenly, except for the underarms and groin where it is  thinner. There are two varieties of coat:  • 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.  • 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.  Lion Clip: The middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle, must be clipped. The rest of the coat must  be left long. The hair on the end of the tail must be 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 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. The hair on the end of the tail must be 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.   

COLOUR  

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.  

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  than at its base. The stop, which is well defined, is slightly further back 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. 

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. 

FOREQUARTERS  

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. Forefeet: Round and rather flat. Toes not too knuckled up and not too  long. The membrane between the toes, which reaches the lip 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.  

BODY  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.  

HINDQUARTERS  

Hind legs: Straight and very strongly muscled. Thigh: Strong and of regular length. Very strongly muscled. Thigh  bone parallel to the medial bodyline. Second thigh: Long and strongly muscled, parallel the medial body line.  Decidedly inclined from front to back. All the tendons well developed. Buttocks: Long and well curved. Hock:  Strong. Pasterns: Long. Dewclaws may or may not be present. Hind feet: Similar, in all respects, to the forefeet.  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. 

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.  

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 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 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.  

FAULTS  

Any departure from the aforementioned ideals shall be considered faulty to the degree in which it interferes with  the health and well-being of the dog and the breed’s traditional purpose.  DISQUALIFICATIONS  • Colour other than those mentioned  • Coat other than those mentioned  • Overshot or undershot jaws  • Over or under height  • Flesh-coloured or discoloured nose