portrait of a Portuguese Water Dog
(Photo credit: LynMc42k | Getty Images)

Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog, also called Porties for short, originated in Portugal as a working dog. They were used for a variety of tasks, including herding sheep, retrieving waterfowl, and assisting fishermen. The breed was brought to the United States in the early 1960s and has since become a popular companion dog. Medium in size, they stand around 17-23 inches tall and…

Statistics
Dog Breed Group
Purebred Dogs
Height
1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight
35 to 60 pounds
Life Span
10 to 14 years
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