Sex	Height (at withers)	Weight
Males	20 to 23 inches	42 to 60 pounds
Females	17 to 21 inches	35 to 50 pounds

PWDs do not shed very much, but they do shed (all mammals shed at least a little).  PWDs, as well as other single-coated breeds, do not have an undercoat that sheds.  But hair from their single coat does fall out (or get kicked out) and you'll end up with rolling hair-bunnies on the floor.  Their hair is similar to human hair and will become matted if not combed thoroughly on a regular basis.

Portuguese Water Dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic because they are single-coated and shed less than double-coated breeds.  Other single-coated, non-shedding breeds include the Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Maltese, Poodle, Schnauzer, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 

To be "hypoallergenic" is to have a decreased tendency to cause allergies.  There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog.  Hypoallergenic dog breeds (single-coated or hairless) will still produce allergens, but because of their coat type will typically produce less than others.  People with severe allergies and asthma will likely still be affected by a hypoallergenic dog.

Coat color has nothing to do with a dog's hypoallergenic quality. 

Most people who have allergic reactions aren't allergic to the coat so much as to the dander, the bits of skin that come off the dog with the shed hair.  PWDs have less dander which, along with the saliva, are the substances most people with allergies react to.  But their thick, long coats can pick up pollen and dust from outdoors. 

If you have severe allergies it is suggested that you spend time with adult PWDs before getting one.  Many people are allergic to Portuguese Water Dogs, so please be careful.  Spend time with the breed before bringing one into your home as a family member. 

For more information about owning a dog if you have allergies, read this article by Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT.

A Portuguese Water Dog can be a great family dog - but the age of the children is a very important consideration. PWDs will often consider a child as a canine litter mate and could play harder than you would want. PWDs are exhuberant jumpers and can knock over small children. Also, they play with their mouths - nipping and biting. For these reasons, we feel that PWDs are not the best choice for a family with young children.

Things to keep in mind:

• Children need to be taught how to interact with a dog.
• Rules need to be set for the children and the dog, and strictly enforced.
• Learn to recognize the signs of a dog's distress and move children away from your dog when it demonstrates any of those signs. There is always a potential for a bite if a child does something the dog finds painful or threatening.
• A dog should never be adopted or purchased for a child. It needs to be an obligation that is taken on by the whole family. The children can assist, but they are not the primary caregivers. This is a parent's responsibility.

The scenes depicted in this image are NOT cute - they are DANGEROUS.

Males will be a bit larger and heavier than females (see above).  There is little difference in the temperament of male and female PWDs. Both sexes are equally intelligent and affectionate, and both make excellent companions. Intact males often mark their outdoor territory with frequent urination (sometimes referred to as "pee-mail"), but most stop this behavior once they have been neutered. On the average younger males tend to be more active than their female counterparts, but this normally evens out with age.

PWD owners should be prepared to spend a lot of time teaching impulse control exercises, relaxation exercises, and learning to manage their dog vigilantly.  The PWD should be taught a reliable sit stay or down stay, as one of those commands can be issued to distract a PWD from a potential or actual negative behavior.  PWD owners should also ensure that the dog is getting constructive mental and physical exercises to channel all that energy.

PWDs, like many other breeds whose popularity has risen, are often quite expensive. In the USA, the typical price for a young PWD puppy ranges from $2500 to $3000.  Older puppies and adults are usually less. 

We advise being wary of anyone selling PWD puppies for a lot less than the norm as that might mean the litter's parents have issues, or that a puppy mill situation exists. If a breeder has lowered a puppy's price due to a specific stated reason, you can make an informed decision as to whether you wish to purchase the puppy. But if no expanation is given for a lower than normal price, it would be wise to look elsewhere.

Conversely, just because a puppy's purchase price is around the typical asking price or more doesn't mean that the puppy's breeder is a responsible one.  Which brings us to the next question -