Comparison: Portuguese Water Dog and Spanish Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dog and Spanish Water Dog are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Portuguese Water Dog
Photo: andreaarden, CC BY 2.0, source
Spanish Water Dog
Photo: Natalia Ricci, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Portuguese Water DogSpanish Water Dog
FCI group8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Country of originPortugalSpain
CategoryMediumMedium
Height at withers43–57 cm40–50 cm
Weight16–25 kg14–22 kg
Life span11–14 years–
Recognition features
  • Curly or wavy non-shedding coat
  • Often clipped in a "lion" clip
  • Strong, medium-sized build
  • Always curly, woolly coat that may form cords when long
  • White, black, chestnut or bicoloured (white with black or brown)
  • Rustic, rather elongated athletic dog with triangular drooping ears
CoatCurly or wavy non-shedding coat.Always curly and woolly; curly when short, may form cords when long. Complete even clipping is accepted. Colours: solid (white, black, chestnut in their shades) or bicoloured (white and black or white and brown); tricolours and black and tan or hazelnut and tan are not admitted.
PurposePortuguese fishermen used it to herd fish into nets and carry messages between boats.Used as a shepherd dog, hunting dog and assistant to the fisherman.

Breed page: Portuguese Water Dog · Breed page: Spanish Water Dog

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.