Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Curly coat, long.
A Portuguese Water Dog suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 5 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 5 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 5 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 2 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You are out most of the day: energy is rated 5 of 5
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 5 of 5)
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 5 and mental stimulation needs of 5 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 49.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Miniature American ShepherdKidsEnergySheddingCompare: Portuguese Water Dog vs Vizsla · Portuguese Water Dog vs German Shorthaired Pointer · Portuguese Water Dog vs Miniature American Shepherd
Frequently asked questions
Are Portuguese Water Dogs good with kids?
The AKC rates the Portuguese Water Dog 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Portuguese Water Dogs shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 2 out of 5 (low), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs easy to train?
Trainability is rated 5 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 5 out of 5.
How much energy does a Portuguese Water Dog have?
Energy is rated 5 out of 5 and playfulness 5 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Portuguese Water Dog page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.