Portuguese Water Dog Poodle Mix: Care, Pictures, Info, & More

The Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix is a relatively newer mixed dog breed. They were originally developed in the United States to be a hybrid designer dog with a curly and hypoallergenic coat. Portuguese Water Dog Poodle mixes are also lovingly referred to as Portidoodles or Portipoos, and their low shedding and high trainability makes them great canine companions for many dog owners.

Breed Overview

Portuguese Water Dogs originated from Portugal, and they were medium-sized dogs that were first bred to work alongside fishermen.

The Poodle is a popular designer dog breed that can be found in different sizes, such as toy, small, and medium-sized. Depending on the type of Poodle that was bred with the Portuguese Water Dog, you will get a mixed dog breed with a low-shedding coat, high intelligence, and small to medium size.

Portuguese Water Dog Poodle Mix Puppies

As puppies, Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodle mixes are active, playful, yet trainable. This hybrid dog breed gets fairly good characteristics from both their parents and has a soft and curly coat that is water-repellent. Portuguese Water Dog Poodle mix puppies will need a balanced and healthy diet so that they receive the right nutrients to grow and develop in adults. The puppies can be quite playful and destructive while they are still learning, so you will need to offer them plenty of toys and activities and begin training them early.

As a new hybrid dog breed, you might have difficulty finding them up for adoption. So, your next option is to get them from a reputable and ethical breeder that specializes in Portuguese Water Dog or Poodle mixes.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Portuguese Water Dog Poodle Mix

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodle mixes make good family-orientated dogs. They seem to get along well with older children due to their playful and affectionate temperament. These hybrid dogs are rarely aggressive, and neither of the parent breeds is characterized as aggressive. Since the Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix has hypoallergenic coat qualities, they may be better tolerated by people who have allergies.

These dogs can be intelligent and active, so they are better suited for families who can take them on regular walks and visits to the dog park. They don’t make very good apartment dogs or dogs that can be left alone all day.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

When introduced and socialized early with other dogs, Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mixes can live comfortably with familiar dogs. They rarely show aggression to other dogs and can even form a strong bond. As long as both dogs have been properly introduced, the Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix will get along with them just fine.

Most Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodle mixes can cohabit with cats, but it is important to introduce them together from a young age. If your Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix hasn’t been socialized properly with cats, they may bark and chase them.

When it comes to small pets like rabbits, birds, hamsters, and guinea pigs, it is best to keep these small pets protected from any dogs. Regardless of how friendly and affectionate the Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix is, you will never know how they might react to small pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Portuguese Water Dog Poodle Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements

Just like other dogs, the Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix is a facultative carnivore, or sometimes described as an omnivore. This means that they require a healthy and balanced diet with both plant and animal-based ingredients. Their staple diet should be made from high-quality ingredients with few fillers and artificial additives. You have the choice of feeding them raw, kibble, freeze-dried, or homemade diets depending on what works best for them, as long as it’s balanced and contains the right amount of minerals and vitamins they need to stay healthy.

While your Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix will get the majority of their nutrients from their food, supplements can be a beneficial addition to their diet. You can supplement their diet with healthy oils such as fish or flaxseed oils, along with glucosamine or green-lipped mussels. Always consult with your dog’s veterinarian before introducing new foods into their diet.

Exercise

Exercise is important for your Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix, and they require at least one hour of exercise per day. They can be energetic dogs that will enjoy going for daily walks, being taken for a run in the park, going for a swim, or having a run around the yard. Exercise is incredibly important for this hybrid dog breed since both of their parenting breeds are considered active and energetic dogs.

It’s also recommended to give your Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix a variety of toys, such as chews and interactive toys. This will not only keep them busy, but it may prevent unwanted boredom-related behaviors.

Training

The Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix is highly intelligent and trainable. It’s best to start training them from around 7 weeks of age so that they don’t develop any behavioral issues into adulthood. With consistent training using positive reinforcement and firm yet gentle commands, most Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodle mixes will respond well to the training. However, you should always be patient and move at a pace that is comfortable for your dog while you are training them. It can take some dogs longer than others to be successfully trained.

Grooming

Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Poodle are hypoallergenic dogs, so it’s guaranteed for this mixed breed to have the same hypoallergenic qualities. They have a maintainable coat that is low-shedding, and generally curly and medium in length. Their coat can be high maintenance and regular brushing will help keep the coat in good condition and prevent knots and matting. Bathing your Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix when necessary can remove grease and build-up that can cause their coat too to look greasy.

You will also need to trim their nails to prevent them from becoming overgrown.

Health and Conditions

While the Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix is generally healthy and robust, they can still develop several health conditions.

Male vs Female

There are few differences between a male and female Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix, and both genders make good pets. It’s often believed that male dogs can be more affectionate and playful, while females are said to be more independent and stubborn. There are different hormonal behaviors in male and female Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mixes that might influence your decision on which gender to get. Most of these behaviors can be mitigated by getting your dog spayed or neutered by a veterinarian.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Portuguese Water Dog Poodle Mix

1. Their size can vary.

The Portuguese Water Dog and Poodles’ size can depend on the size of the Poodle they were bred with. If the Portuguese Water Dog was bred with a smaller Poodle, the resulting mixed breed dog isn’t going to be very large.

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2. They are good for people with allergies.

Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Poodle are minimal shedding dogs, which makes them a better choice for people with minor allergies.

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3. There are a lot of color options.

You can find Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mixes in a variety of coat colors similar to their parents, including black, silver, cream, blue, red, and even fawn.

Final Thoughts

The Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle mix is a great hybrid dog breed for families with older children. Their curly coat, teddy bear appearance, and high intelligence make them a fun and affectionate mixed dog breed to own. With proper care and good genetics, most Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodle mixes can live for 10 to 14 years.

While they are a relatively newer and rarer mixed dog breed to own, you might be able to find a reputable breeder that produces healthy Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodle mix puppies.

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Featured Image Credit: Suri Designs, Shutterstock

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