The Portuguese Water dog has recently become a very much talked about dog, thanks to the First Family choosing to adopt one and naming it Bo. But the Portuguese Water dog has been around for a long time and has a long history of a being a hard working dog.

This breed is native to Portugal and was used by fishermen to help them retrieve lines and nets. Thanks to its webbed feet it is a very good swimmer. Also, thanks to its thick waterproof coat it can swim in cold waters, also this unique coat makes them non-shedding and hypoallergenic. These coat properties are very similar to the Poodle, which is a close relative.

These dogs are very intelligent and athletic, requiring daily exercise. They belong to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Working group and first officially recognized by them in 1983. The AKC considers only two cuts to be acceptable, the Lion clip which is a shorn rear and the Working clip where all the hair is left intact and trimmed evenly.

These dogs can be quite large and can weight up to 60 pounds and be up to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. This is not a recommended breed is you have a small condo or apartment, because these dogs need a lot of exercise.

If you are considering buying one of these dogs, they are expensive because they are a rare breed, so availability is often limited. But thanks to Bo, this breed might be increasing quickly in numbers.