A Portuguese Water Dog is amazingly smart, silly, and naughty dog. Just ask the people who share their lives with them. A little before Mr Magoo came to live with me I put out an ask for photos of our lovable breed. My goal was to remember how naughty they are so I would prolong getting a puppy.
Well…..it had the reverse effect. After seeing what some of my fellow PWD owners gave me it made me want a second even more. Which is a great thing because Mr Magoo came along not long after.
You can chronicle the life of Mr Magoo through my puppy series, but let’s check out what these guys do in real life. Please note that none of these pictures are staged. A PWD would never let you put them in a position they didn’t choose or think was a good idea.
Outside the Home
They love being outside. Generally with their humans and not just by themselves. Their goal in life is to find the biggest thing to carry, sticks are preferred. I think it reminds them of the oars on boats.
Courtesy of Randi Rossman
Courtesy of Terri Baker
Sometimes the stick chooses them! With their hair it is hard for things not to stick to them.
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
They are great helpers when it comes to excavating, whether you want the help or not.
Courtesy of Kris Cofiell
Courtesy of Merle Piro
A Portuguese Water Dog excel at gardening. Even if they choose to live dangerously.
Courtesy of Jennifer Greene
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
They are happy to remind you of the projects you started but didn’t finish.
Courtesy of Courteney Crump
Around the Water
PWDs are excellent with sea life. It doesn’t matter if it is dead or alive they will try to help you.
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
Courtesy of Barb White
They will look for water anywhere. And if none is present they make it clear that they need water.
Miss Millie
Courtesy of Judy Fischer
Courtesy of Terri Gregg
And don’t even think of trying to keep a Portuguese Water Dog from the water. You could easily end up with a concussion or torn ACL.
Courtesy of Lauren Pearce
In the Water
As you would expect, a Portuguese Water Dog gladly enters the water.
Courtesy of Janet Murray
Miss Millie Colorado Water Trial
Unless it’s for a bath……and then some think they are being tortured.
Courtesy of Sue Kessler
At Play
Portuguese Water Dogs love to play! They make up their own games, which sometimes don’t make any sense to their humans.
Miss Millie won’t play by herself but Mr Magoo will. Here are some others that can self-entertain.
Courtesy of Erin Findley
Courtesy of Betsy Schimpff
Some like to climb trees.
Courtesy of Linda Ericson
Some are conflicted when its dinner time….should they stop to eat, take a nap, or continue to play. Monty figured out he could do all three.
Courtesy of Rachel Sollinger
They love time to play with friends……even if it doesn’t always seem like they do.
Courtesy of Jana Berry
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
They will kiss and make up…..usually.
Courtesy of Jana Berry and Janice Gavin
The snow can really bring out the crazy Portuguese Water Dog.
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
Courtesy of Barb Taz
Courtesy of Jana Benny
Courtesy of Sabine Reiss
Helping
When they aren’t playing or clowning around they love to help their humans. Their version of helping and ours may not always coincide. But they think it does and that’s what matters.
Sometimes they try to help with dishes.
Courtesy of Kimberly Beach
Courtesy of Lori Bachman
Lizzie likes to be helpful by bringing vents to her human after napping over the AC.
Courtesy of John Werry
While others help by opening boxes.
Courtesy of Tracey Brown
Courtesy of Barb White
Portuguese Water Dogs are known connoisseurs of paper products. Their favorite is toilet paper…..until they find another piece of paper.
Courtesy of Lauren Pearce
Courtesy of Sue Kessler
They are the finders of lost things. Even if they weren’t lost to you.
Courtesy of Sarah Elizabeth
Courtesy of Lauren Pearce
Courtesy of Aynsley Warden
They are excellent companions willing check on you or lend an ear.
Courtesy of Lauren Pearce
Courtesy of Barb White
They will cheer you on,
Courtesy of Steve Lavoie
and help you stick to your diet.
Courtesy of Sue Kessler
A Portuguese Water Dog is an avid reader, devouring every idea and plot twist. Sometimes literally. Other times they leave it for you to piece together.
Courtesy of Heather Hudson
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
Courtesy of Mary Shealy
They really don’t like when you read about ways to out smart them.
Courtesy of Jennifer Buza
In Your Home
Sharing your home with a Portuguese Water Dog is an experience unlike any other. They are more like a toddler with four legs than a dog. You can’t turn your head for a minute. Or they will give you a reminder of they should be the center of attention.
You could find them on a table,
Courtesy of Linda Ericson
Mr Magoo
or helping themselves in the kitchen.
Courtesy of Terri Baker
Courtesy of Kimberly Beach
At Rest
Portuguese Water Dogs are silly even at rest. They like to chill out after a long day just like we do. Sometimes literally like we do.
Courtesy of Sandy Collette
They prefer to sleep on pillows.
Courtesy of John Werry
Courtesy of Jana Benny
Courtesy of Randi Rossman
Sometimes they like to hide in the pillows ~ like Miss Millie,
or they think they are hiding.
Courtesy of Janine Rolnick
Some of them like to sleep with blankets.
Courtesy of Sue Kessler
Mr Magoo
Nearly all of them sleep on their backs or in the most uncomfortable positions.
Courtesy of Erin Findley
Miss Millie
Mr Magoo
Sometimes you’ll find them with their feet hanging off a bed
Courtesy of Barb Kiva Taz
or even in a bathtub
Courtesy of Janine Rolnick
Other times you might find them asleep in a box.
Courtesy of Barb White
While still other Portuguese Water Dogs are vehemently opposed to beds.
Courtesy of John Hutchison Jr
In General
If you are trying to get something done and a Portuguese Water Dog isn’t a fan of the project it is unlikely you will succeed.
Courtesy of Lauren Pearce
Sometimes they will stop you before you even begin.
Courtesy of Erin Findley
If you have had a tough day or a feeling a little down a Portuguese Water Dog will try to make you smile.
Courtesy of Steve Lavoie
You will never feel unloved again, they would love to climb into your skin!
Courtesy of Christine Nishikawara
Whatever you do, don’t try to take a family picture. A Portuguese Water Dog is not known for their patience.
Courtesy of Heather Hudson
All dogs have a nice and a naughty side. The Portuguese Water Dog makes naughty clown like and will keep you in stitches. Haven’t met one? Check out a local club for upcoming events or visit a show close to you. Whether it is conformation, obedience, agility, or something else Portuguese Water Dog owners love to educate people about the breed.
If you are in Southern California you should check out the America’s Family Pet Expo, April 27-29, 2018.
Follow Miss Millie and Mr Magoo on social media to catch them in the act!
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Great blog. I love my pwd. We pick up our 2nd puppy Friday. Can’t wait!!!
Congratulations! Don’t forget to check out my puppy series ~ http://www.mypwdandme.com/puppyseries Mr Magoo has changed the way I do puppyhood 🙂
Great blog. You definitely captured the very essence of a pwd that makes them so special.
I tried, they are definitely a special breed.
Nice job! This is how I wish we would redesign the puppy area of the PWDCA website. This engages a reader and those who don’t like just words will keep scrolling and learning.
Thank you! Pictures are worth a thousand words right?
Love the article! This is our Murphy who is almost 5yrs old! We love this breed, this is our 2nd one!
They are so much fun! I can’t imagine having another breed
Heather
Amazing! I loved it and laughed all the way through. You captured the life of a pwd perfectly. I can see Brizo in each of those scenarios except (luckily) counter surfing. She’s 5 and until about a month ago she never did it. Well, my mother in law left scallops drying pushed back on the counter and had to use the bathroom. Came out (bathroom off of kitchen so she wasn’t gone long) and Brizo had them on the floor and had eaten approximately 15 😳.
I am like you – I didn’t think I had the counter surfer gene but Miss Millie nearly burned the house down for sourdough bread.
Thanks! This was a fun read. The PWD list always makes me smile and picks up my spirit. Love you guys.
Deb Gardner
Thank you! They are a fun breed!!