Origins of the Portuguese Water Dog
• The Portuguese Water Dog, known as Cão de Água Português in Portuguese, has its roots along the coasts of Portugal, where it was bred to assist fishermen.
• The breed dates back to at least the 13th century and likely has connections to ancient dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula by Moors during their conquest of the region.
• Portuguese fishermen valued these dogs for their exceptional swimming ability, intelligence, and versatility. They referred to the breed as the “fisherman’s dog” or “dog of the sea.”
Role in Fishing Communities
• The Portuguese Water Dog, known as Cão de Água Português in Portuguese, has its roots along the coasts of Portugal, where it was bred to assist fishermen.
• The breed dates back to at least the 13th century and likely has connections to ancient dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula by Moors during their conquest of the region.
• Portuguese fishermen valued these dogs for their exceptional swimming ability, intelligence, and versatility. They referred to the breed as the “fisherman’s dog” or “dog of the sea.”
Decline of the Breed
The industrialization of fishing in the 20th century led to a decline in the need for working dogs like the Portuguese Water Dog.
• By the 1930s, the breed was at risk of extinction due to diminished demand and a shrinking population.
Revival Efforts and Introduction to the United States
A wealthy Portuguese shipping magnate and dog enthusiast, Dr. Vasco Bensaude, played a critical role in saving the breed from extinction in the 1930s.
• Dr. Bensaude worked to establish a formal breeding program and promote the Portuguese Water Dog beyond its working roots, emphasizing its traits as a companion and show dog.
• His efforts led to the establishment of the breed standard and recognition by dog organizations in Portugal and abroad.
The Portuguese Water Dog was first introduced to the United States in the late 20th century.
• The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was formed in 1972 to support and promote the breed.
• The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed in 1983.
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT-4 (Jan 2025 Version) [Large language model]. Retrieved from https://openai.com