Portuguese Water Dogs(PWDs)are excellent companions. These dogs are highly intelligent and are easily trained in obedience and agility skills. They are considered working dogs. They have been used for therapy dogs and as assistance dogs for the deaf.
Portuguese water dogs enjoy being petted and once acquainted adjust well to strangers. They tend to stay stay close to their masters. Portuguese water dogs tend to bond with one primary or "alpha" family member. Some speculate that this intense bonding arose in the breed because the dogs were selected to work in proximity to their masters on small fishing boats, unlike other working dogs such as herding dogs and water dogs that range out to perform tasks.
This dog desires attention and prefers to be engaged in activity within sight of a human partner. This is not a breed to be left alone for long periods of time, indoors or out.
The Portuguese water dog will tend to jump up in greeting humans. This is a behavior that should be limited with training. They will tend to stand on their hind legs in order to find food on counters also.
These dogs love to be active, so keep this in mind when considering this breed. The fur on this breed has no under-coat, so many people will choose a Portuguese water dog because it is considered hypo-allergenic.
President Barack Obama has chosen this breed for the first dog. He was given a Portuguese water dog as a gift from Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The Obama family wanted a dog that was hypo-allergenic because their oldest daughter, Malia is has allergies. The Obama daughters named their new pet Bo because they have cousins with a cat named Bo and because Michelle's late father, Fraser Robinson, nickname was Diddley.
We all wish President Obama, his family and Bo the best.
