Portuguese Water Dog health: what owners should know
Conditions the Portuguese Water Dog is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
The breed is known to carry some inherited conditions, including hip dysplasia, a form of progressive retinal atrophy that causes gradual sight loss, GM1 storage disease (a severe neurological disorder) and Addison's disease. DNA tests exist for PRA and GM1, and responsible breeders test parents, X-ray hips and have eyes checked.
Keep your dog lean, dry the ears after swimming and stay alert to changes. See a vet if you notice trouble seeing in dim light, repeated head shaking or a smelly ear, or bouts of vomiting, weakness and low energy that come and go, as these need proper investigation.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
11 to 13 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
16 to 27 kg