Having a Portuguese Water Dog makes a wonderful family pet for people who are active and enjoy spending a lot of time with their dog. If you are the kind of person who loves being outdoors and going for long walks, running and being involved in water sports, the Portuguese Water Dog would make a great companion. The dog is a very active breed with a name that is perfectly suited to them. While the dog adapts well and enjoys living in a home, the breed is much happier with daily access to water.

Fishing technologies has made the Portuguese Water Dog exempt from fishing duty. The dog is no longer needed to retrieve missing items or carry messages back and forth between boats and the shore. The breed has largely become a favored companion dog and as such needs much attention and time with their family. The dog still loves playing in the water and will revel in living close to a lake, river or other body of water.

The Portuguese Water Dog has a natural affinity for water which is deeply rooted in the origins of the breed. The dog was brought to the Iberian Peninsula more than 500 years ago and was quickly recognized for its incredible water skills. Since Portugal was a fishing nation, the dogs were used aboard boats to help fishermen. The dogs would follow commands and dive deep into the ocean to get dropped equipment or to drive the fish into waiting nets. These characteristics are still strongly present in the dog, even today.

Since the dog hails from water origins, and because the main trait is being a retriever, the dog has an innate desire to be in and around the water. This means an owner should always be ready to play an energetic game of fetch in the water. Taking the dog to a lake or sea shore and tossing a stick into the water is a favorite activity. The dog will run, dive into the water and get the stick, bringing it back to the owner and happily wait for the stick to be thrown over and over again, the dog could do this for hours and never tire.

Just like any other dog breed that can trace origins back to water, the Portuguese Water Dog does not require access to water every day, but the dog does thrive and crave being in an aquatic environment. The dog does well when properly trained and exercised regularly. If you are interested in having a dog breed that will do well in competitive sporting events, a Portuguese Water Dog will not disappoint. The breed can be easily trained using a firm, but gentle hand and positive discipline. Training the dog is an excellent way of bonding you and your Portuguese Water dog and will provide many great opportunities for the dog to receive the exercise they need to thrive. A Portuguese Water Dog may not be an ideal breed for all families, but for those who love water sports, the dog is an ideal choice.