Although the Portuguese Water Dog’s listed home country is Portugal, the breed shares a common background with other European water dogs and was taken to Portugal by traders, probably Moors, via North Africa. He is a fairly recent newcomer to the UK. The fishermen of his native Portugal employ his great love of water in service with their boats: he can be trained to retrieve lost nets and to swim from boats close in to the shore. He was at one time used as a hunting dog, and is also a keen guard.

He is a friendly dog, even if, as his standard says, he is self-willed. He needs firm handling when young to counteract this stubborn streak.

His coat is customarily clipped over the hindquarters and on the tail, leaving a profuse plume at the end. Unusually, there are two distinct types of recognised coat: one is long and loosely waved while the other is short and harsh with compact curls.