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A Short History of the Portuguese
Water Dog
The Portuguese
Cao de Agua (pronounced Known-d' ahgwa), or dog of the water, is an ancient
breed of unknown origin, but its known history is rich and colorful.
Archeological findings in Asia reveal the
remains of ancient herding dogs, some of which developed into a definite
and specific type, like the Portuguese Water Dog. As early as 700
B.C., dogs such as this migrated frequently with conquerors, as spoils of
war, to all corners of their known world.
Theories of Origin
One theory of
origin claims that while the Moors took these herding dogs to Portugal,
the dogs also went south with the Goths as they fought the Romans, where
the Lion Dog developed. This theory suggests that the water dog as
well as Poodles and Pulis developed from this shaggy herding dog. A
second theory claims the transportation of water dogs with the Spanish Armada
in 1855. This is highly unlikely since life aboard ship was
unbearable and dogs most certainly would have been eaten; no physical
evidence has been found to support this theory. A third theory
suggests that a long-coated water dog developed in prehistory with the
shellfish eaters in Spain
and Portugal,
and that the Irish Water Spaniel is a descendent of the ancient Portuguese
Water Dog.
Portuguese
Water Dogs have been linked, historically and developmentally, to the
Poodle, Pulis, the Water Spaniel, Newfoundland,
Barbet, Kerry Blue Terrier, and several varieties of retriever. PWDs,
in part, are similar to all of these. It is clear that most
historians consider most of these to have derived from a similar dog.
A Swimmingly Successful Career
The Portuguese
Water Dog developed into an intelligent, strong, energetic, and agile dog
which is affectionate to its owner. This seafaring dog worked along
with Portuguese sailors for centuries, earning his share of each day's
catch of saltwater codfish. The PWD worked tirelessly, swimming to
retrieve broken nets, diving to herd schools of fish, and acting as a
barking foghorn. They carried messages boat to boat, and to
shore. They also worked as guard dogs, protecting the sailors'
fishing trawlers and their homes. Fishermen, who could not afford the
luxury of owning a dog, rented dogs from older, retired fishermen.
King Carlos I
became enamored with the breed. In 1897, he gave the royal charter to
the forerunner to the Clube Portugues de Canicultura (CPC). By
1902, a Portuguese hunting magazine and an association of hunters had
organized a dog exhibition; but these early dog shows did little to keep
the PWD from dying out as technology replaced him, nearly driving him to
annihilation.
Rebirth of the Breed
A shipping
magnate named Vasco Bensaude, determined the fate of the PWD with a single
dog named Leao, who was born in 1931. Bensaude obtained Leao as
an adult dog and it is upon Leao that the breed standard is based.
Bensaude obtained other PWDs from fishermen, and bred them to re-establish
this breed, which he loved. These efforts suffered a blow upon
Bensaude's death. Although, Conchita Branco tried to make Bensaude's
Algarbiorum kennels work, she had nothing but problems. Dr. Antonio
Cabral followed in Bensaude's footsteps, and made significant contributions
to the bloodline, as did Carla Molinari, who is famous for her Afghans and
Salukis.
Into the U.S.
Portuguese
Water Dogs were first brought to America in 1960. The
Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) was founded on August 13, 1972;
sixteen people represented the twelve dogs who lived in the United States.
On June 3,
1981, the PWD was admitted into the American Kennel Club's
miscellaneous class. They were moved into the AKC Working Group on January 1, 1984.
The PWDCA's
first National Specialty was held in New
Jersey in September of 1992. A total entry
of 571 competed in conformation, obedience, water trials, and an agility
demonstration. In 2002, the 11th PWDCA National Specialty was held in
Wisconsin.
Today's Portuguese Water Dog
This magical
and magnificent dog continues to evolve today. As responsible
breeders work, they need to know that the dogs they are producing continue
to conform to the breed standard; AKC Conformation (show) competition is
the best way to accomplish this. Other competitions include: Water
Works, which simulates the PWD's work with the fishermen of Portugal;
Agility, which tests the dogs' stamina and speed; Obedience, which tests
the dogs' ability to work with its handler. An exceptionally
versatile breed, PWDs also excel as Therapy dogs and Rescue-Work dogs.
After September 11, 2001,
Presidio Dutch of Alto Mare (Dutch) and his owner/handler Connie Millard
were summoned to New York,
where Dutch joined the ranks of other cadaver dogs in searching for victims
of the tragedy. Dutch has basic and advanced FEMA certification, as
well as tracking, cadaver, and versatility certification. He is but
one shining example of the intelligence and stamina of this dog from an
ancient time.
For More Information
·
Visit the website of the
Portuguese Water Dog Club of America: www.pwdca.org
·
Visit the website of the
American Kennel Club: www.akc.org
AKC's Basic Care and Training and AKC's Complete Dog Book for
Kids are available in the online store. AKC also has a wonderful
"Kid's Corner"
§ The New Complete Portuguese Water Dog by Kathryn Braund
§ The Portuguese Water Dog: A Guide for the New Owner
§ Diving into Water Training for the Portuguese Water Dog
§ Bica, the
Portuguese Water Dog is written especially for children
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