Appearance

As far as big dogs go, the Portuguese Water Dog, nicknamed the Portie, is one of the smaller ones. They're 17-23 inches at the shoulder and only weigh 35-60 pounds, which makes them more of a medium dog than a large one.

Health and Grooming

Because of his nice, low-shedding coat, the Portuguese Water Dog tends to need a lot of care when it comes to grooming. Though, when it comes to health, this dog is as healthy as any other. It is susceptible to diseases like any other dog, but in general is very healthy.

Temperament

The Portie is known for two main traits: energy and intelligence. Like the poodle they're highly intelligent dogs. They're also very energetic. They're not to territorial but they make great watchdogs because of how intelligent and alert they are.

Friendliness and Exercise Needs

Overall, the Portie is a pretty friendly dog. It's skeptical about strangers, which is very understandable, but gets along well with children, other dogs, and even cats. It requires vigorous exercise every day and needs an owner who is very active.