Portuguese Water Dog Puppy Checklist: What to Do Before and After Bringing One Home
Before You Buy
Critical DNA Tests to Verify Before Purchasing a PWD Puppy
Portuguese Water Dogs carry two breed-specific fatal conditions that responsible breeders screen for. Asking about these tests before you purchase is not being difficult — it is the most important question you can ask.
GM-1 Gangliosidosis DNA Test
GM-1 is a fatal lysosomal storage disease that causes progressive neurological deterioration. Puppies affected by GM-1 typically begin showing symptoms at 5–7 months and die by 2 years. There is no treatment. Both parents must be DNA tested. If both parents are carriers, affected puppies can result. Ask for documentation: a carrier × clear pairing is safe; two carriers are not acceptable.
JDCM (Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy) DNA Test
JDCM is a fatal heart condition unique to the Portuguese Water Dog breed. Affected puppies typically die within weeks of symptoms beginning. DNA testing of both parents prevents affected puppies. This is a non-negotiable test — ask for documentation before placing a deposit.
Additional Health Tests to Request
- Hip dysplasia OFA evaluation on both parents
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA test on both parents
- CAER eye examination on both parents
Gear Checklist
- Medium-sized wire crate
- Harness and 6-foot leash
- Slicker brush and wide-tooth comb — start brushing from week one
- Quality puppy food (ask breeder what the puppy has been eating)
- Food and water bowls
- Dog bed or crate mat
- Baby gates for house management
- Enzymatic cleaner
- Ear cleaning solution — ear care starts immediately
- ID tag and microchip registration
First Weeks at Home
First Vet Visit and Week-One Priorities
First Vet Appointment (Within 72 Hours of Pickup)
- Full physical exam and vaccine status review
- Set up vaccination and deworming schedule
- Discuss spay/neuter timing (most vets recommend waiting until 12–18 months for medium breeds)
- Ask about ear care routine — PWDs are ear infection-prone due to hair in the ear canal and love of water
- Discuss heartworm, flea, and tick prevention appropriate for your area
- Get a referral for puppy training classes
Start Grooming Habits From Day One
Begin brushing the puppy on day one — even if the coat is still short and puppy-soft. The goal is habituation: a PWD that associates handling and brushing with calm, positive experiences will be a much easier adult to groom. Run a brush through the coat, handle the paws, check the ears, and touch the mouth daily in short, positive sessions.
Ear Care Routine From Week One
Start the weekly ear cleaning habit immediately. Use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution, apply it to the ear canal opening, gently massage, and wipe clean with a cotton ball. Do not use cotton swabs deep in the canal. Ask your groomer to check and remove excess ear canal hair at every professional appointment starting with the first puppy trim.
Training and Exercise
What PWD Owners Often Underestimate
Energy Level: This Is a Working Dog
Portuguese Water Dogs were bred to work all day alongside fishermen in Atlantic waters. They are athletic, energetic, and intelligent — and they need a job or structured activity to be content. An under-exercised PWD will find its own entertainment, which usually involves chewing, digging, or barking. Plan for at least 60–90 minutes of vigorous activity daily as an adult.
Water Safety
Most PWDs love water instinctively, but swimming should still be introduced gradually. Use a life vest for early water introductions, supervise all swimming, and always dry the ears after water exposure. If you have a pool, ensure the dog can find the pool steps to exit — don't assume a water dog will navigate the exit without practice.
Training Expectations
PWDs are intelligent and generally very trainable with positive reinforcement methods. They can be exuberant and mouthy as puppies. Enroll in a puppy class within the first few weeks home. Establish clear rules around jumping up and mouthing early — a bouncy adolescent PWD can inadvertently injure small children or elderly family members.
- Start leash manners from week one — they pull
- Crate train as a calm resting place from day one
- Establish a consistent daily routine immediately
- Begin recall training early — a reliable come is critical for a breed this athletic
Related Reading
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What DNA tests should both parents of a Portuguese Water Dog puppy have? +
The two most critical are GM-1 gangliosidosis and JDCM (Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy) — both fatal conditions with no treatment. Additionally, both parents should have hip dysplasia OFA evaluations, PRA DNA tests, and CAER eye certifications. Ask for documentation before placing a deposit. A reputable breeder will have these results readily available.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs good for first-time dog owners? +
They can be, if the owner is genuinely committed to training, exercise, and grooming. PWDs are intelligent and highly trainable, but they have significant exercise needs and require professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. A PWD with insufficient activity or mental stimulation will develop problem behaviors. First-time owners who have done their research and can commit to the exercise and grooming requirements generally do well with the breed.
When should I schedule the first grooming appointment for my PWD puppy? +
As early as 10–12 weeks — most groomers who work with puppies will do a brief introductory visit for a small fee before the full coat has grown in. The goal of early grooming visits is exposure and positive association, not a full clip. The puppy learns the sounds, smells, and handling of the grooming salon while young and more adaptable.
