Buy a Portuguese water dog calendar. (Photo from Animal Den.)
President-elect Barack Obama announced today that the First Family is considering getting a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water dog. Most of us have heard of the Labradoodle, but the Portuguese water dog seems lesser known.
From the American Kennel Club, below is an excerpt from their description of the Portuguese water dog:
General Appearance - Known for centuries along Portugal's coast, this seafaring breed was prized by fishermen for a 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 a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina, who aided his master at sea by retrieving broken nets, herding schools of fish, and carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and alert guard. This highly intelligent utilitarian breed is distinguished by two coat types, either curly or wavy; an impressive head of considerable breadth and well proportioned mass; a ruggedly built, well-knit body; and a powerful, thickly based tail, carried gallantly or used purposefully as a rudder. The Portuguese Water Dog provides an indelible impression of strength, spirit, and soundness.
Expression - Steady, penetrating, and attentive.
Temperament - An animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion, it obeys its master with facility and apparent pleasure. It is obedient with those who look after it or with those for whom it works.
Portuguese water dog puppies. (Photo from portuguesewaterdogs.com.)
Lisa Baird and Kathryn Monroe of the Portuguese Water Dogs of America club describe the breed, as follows:
So what about a Portuguese Water Dog?
They are an active, energetic, extremely bright and creative breed. They are not a dog to just lay by the fireplace and doze. This does not mean they are constant activity in the home or "hyper". A properly exercised PWD certainly can understand "that's ENOUGH, now go lie down!" when need be. They seem to do well in homes with another, active dog, well behaved children over the age of 5 to 7 or, if a petless, childless home, people who are willing to go on walks, take them for a swim, play Frisbee, etc. Obedience training for the first year or so is practically mandatory. Continuing on is recommended. PWDs are remarkably well suited to the sports of dog agility, obedience and, of course, the PWDCA's water trials.
Coat and the "hypoallergenic" aspect of the Portuguese Water Dog
The low shedding quality that attracts many to this breed also means that they need grooming. They should have a single coat of hair (most breeds are "double coated"), that keeps on growing. It needs to be brushed and combed regularly, and clipped periodically. How often, depends on your desires, and the growth rate for the individual dog. No matter what, a Portuguese Water Dog will require a good bit of grooming time from you.
Since they shed little (but they do shed, all mammals shed at least a little.) they are often better for people with allergies than other breeds. It is suggested though, that you spend time with adult PWDs before getting one, if you have severe allergies. Many people are allergic to Portuguese Water Dogs, please be careful. Look up "hypoallergenic" in the dictionary; "Having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction." It does NOT mean nonallergenic. People can be and are allergic to all breeds of dogs. Nothing is more upsetting, to the buyer, breeder and pup, and then having to return a pup because of a family member's allergy! It's tough for all concerned. Spend time with the breed before bringing on into your home as a family member. Allow the allergic person to bury their nose in the dog's fur and really give it a chance for a reaction.
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The breed has such a popular following that even if you can't get a Portuguese water dog like the Obama First Family, you can consider buying a Portuguese water dog calendar for $13.99 from the General Store website. Or how about a pair of earrings, or a set of coasters? The possibilities are endless.
Comments
Since it is extremely unlikely that a PWD (a *rare* dog in the U.S.) would wind up in a shelter, wouldn't it be fortuitous if some shelter somehow came up with one? Surely, there's a breeder somewhere who could be "encouraged" (through money or threat) to slip one into a proper rescue or shelter system so that the "shelter industry" and AR-zombies can shout to the heavens that the Obama family "adopted" a dog. I hope Obama will look critically if a shelter happens to come up with an animal (and how are they gonna know for sure it's one of the hypo-allergenic choices?), to be sure there's no flim-flamming going on to gain PR mileage for rescue at the expense of breeders (who are NOT the bad guys!--and no, I don't breed dogs).
You can bet the girls are not gonna want to wait months or years for the "right" dog to appear in a shelter. It would be *much better* to go to a reputable breeder and reserve/get a dog with a known history and pedigree (like the VP just did--bravely, I might add, as he has caught mega-flack from the AR-zombies for it). That's for the *safety* and *satisfaction* of his girls. Of course, the President can afford to have a *regular dog trainer* (probably would donate their time so be able to say they trained the President's dog), so maybe that's not an issue--BUT the safety of the girls is an issue, particularly when you are talking about a dog that will weigh 50# or more.
I hope the Obama's DON'T get a Labradoodle. We don't need to encourage the people who are already breeding them, or encourage those who aren't yet to do so. It's all for money. The mix does not improve either breed (unless you're looking for a smarter Labrador).
I wish the Obamas would just get a good ole rescue/shelter mutt - a dog that doesn't look like any one or two breeds, but is a poster child for the best of all.
If they go for the PWD, I hope they get it from a rescue. It's a great breed, but pretty rare, and not one that many can afford to get; I've heard puppies from a breeder cost upwards of $1,500.
I have a Peruvian hairless and frankly, he's the most friendly, loving and wonderful little fellow you could ever want. Plus, I'm allergic to all pet hair and he does not bother me one bit. Not sure why they didn't take up the Peruvians on their offer! I guess some people just have to have a fuzzy pet :(
We had one for 13 1/2 years - name was Jake and he died of old age after living a long, healthy life. PWD's are of medium stature and don't shed. And they love the water. Jake would dive in head first and swim all day. They are very loyal and attentive and dedicated to the "top dog" they bond to. If the Obamas get a PWD they will be welcoming a wonderful addition to the White House and into their family.
They would. I figured they would get some ugly dog.......
LOL
we have a 2 year old portuguese water dog. We are english and live in the algarve portugal - the home of the pwd.He was a rescue but pure bread. A better companion and intelligent dog you will never find. good with kids and a great swimmer. Ben swims in the strong Atlantic surf every day. Perfect choice for your president.
the portuquese water dog is better and they lisson better to.Baraco Oboma should get the portuqzese water dog.
the portuquese water dog is better and they lisson better to.Baraco Oboma should get the portuqzese water dog.
you can ask saige's teacher about the dog
I have a portuguese water dog named misty.. I've had her for 10 years... as fas as Im concerned... and the last dog I had was a black lab... Portys are the best dogs in the world... my dog is like half cat half dog... the negative parts mentioned in the above article don't apply to my dog... I've never once found one of my dogs hair anywhere... and I live in NOrthern Ontario Canada... whee its very cold... so my dog doesn't get walked too often.. recently when I went home I put her on the treadmill.. and she did it right away no problem.. so obviously very smart... but yah otherwise she doesn't get that much exercize... but she still has no problem lazing about the house... so yah. porty all the way.. theres no other choice... the second I watched his election speech I said to myself 'you need to get a porty foo!!!'
oh and.. p.s. to the below.. my porty is the most beautiful dog you've ever seen... she has the most adorable face.. she has a little 'milk pan marking'(white strip of hair underneath her chin) and shes a wavy porty
I THANK A DODSON DOG WOULD MAKE A VERY NICE PET FOR THE FIRST LADY AND THE CHILDREN.
FROM THE THOMAS FAMILY IN PORTLAND,INDIANA.
get a portuguese waterdog. a best friend for life, and a good guardian for the house.
I had two PWD growing up and they were my best friends. It sounds cliche, but I am an only child and they were my sisters in every sense of family, entertainment, and love. I'm sure the Obamas will love whatever kind of dog they get, but with a Porti they will also have a funny challenge training and living with their pooch. Our dogs were extremely loyal and lovely, but also witty and quite humorous. As with children, smart = keep you on your toes. We were sure that one day they were going to open their mouths and speak English. They have so much personality!
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