Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada
A Comparison of the F C I ( Po r t u g u e s e K C ) , C K C a n d A KC s t a n d a r d s f o r Po r t u g u e s e W a t e r D o g s
Leao
Please note, paragraphs have been moved to allow for easy comparisons, see the standards in their correct order at: fci.be, ckc.org, akc.org Keel Tonel and his son Tank
Leao
Leao
Ch Keel Beleza, CDX
Leao
BISS Am/Can Ch Pinehaven’s Casablanca
Ch Keel Beleza
SBIS; Int/Por/UCHL/GIB/FR/ES/FIN Ch Smooth Da Pedra Da Anixa JP03/WW05/EW05/EW06/BIS05/BOG04/BOG05 Leao, Bensaude Archives
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Int Am COA SA PR Ch White Cap Capitao do Monab CD ATT#1 Ch Caucau do Vale Negro
A Comparison of the FCI (Portuguese KC), CKC and AKC standards for Portuguese Water dogs. Please note, paragraphs have been moved to allow for easy comparisons, see the standards in their correct order at: fci.be, ckc.org, akc.org
Federation Cynologique Internationale Canadian Kennel Club Standard Portuguese Water Dog (Cão De Agua Português) with 2001 Revisions FCI-St. N° 37 Translation: Portuguese Kennel Club
American Kennel Club Standard
Brief Historical Summary
Origin and Purpose
General Appearance
In ancient times, the Portuguese Water Dog could be found throughout the entire Portuguese coast. Thereafter, due to continuous changes in fishing methods, the breed was located mainly in the Algarve region which is now considered as its original birthplace. Its presence on the Portuguese coast is probably very remote and thus the Portuguese Water Dog should be considered as an autochthonous Portuguese breed.
For centuries, this seafaring breed existed everywhere along the coast of Portugal and is considered a purely Portuguese breed. Owing to modifications in the fishing systems used, the breed has become restricted to the province of Algarve which should be considered it’s home. It was prized by fishermen for its spirited yet obedient nature and a robust, medium build that allowed for a full day’s work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog is an athletic swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina. He aided his master at sea by retrieving gear and broken nets, herding schools of fish and carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and an alert guard.
Known for centuries along Portugal's coast, this seafaring breed was prized by fishermen for a spirited, yet obedient nature, and a robust, medium build that allowed for a full day's work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog is a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina, who aided his master at sea by retrieving broken nets, herding schools of fish, and carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and alert guard. This highly intelligent utilitarian breed is distinguished by two coat types, either curly or wavy; an impressive head of considerable breadth and well proportioned mass; a ruggedly built, well-knit body; and a powerful, thickly based tail, carried gallantly or used purposefully as a rudder. The Portuguese Water Dog provides an indelible impression of strength, spirit, and soundness.
General Appearance A dog of medium proportions, bracoïd tending to rectilinear to slight convex. Harmonious in shape, balanced, strong and well muscled. Considerable development of the muscles due to constant swimming.
General Appearance
Important Proportions Of almost square shape, with the length of body approximately equal to height at the withers. The ratio of the height at the withers to the depth of the chest is 2:1; the ratio of length of skull to muzzle is 4:3.
The Portuguese Water Dog is defined by his job. He has a hard, penetrating and attentive expression, splendid sight and a fair nose. Slightly longer than tall, he is a medium sized, sturdy, athletic, swimming dog with webbed feet, short neck and a wavy or curly coat to protect him from the elements, whether in the water or on land. From his impressive head with piercing gaze through a rugged body to his powerful tail carried up in a ring with its characteristic flowing flag, he presents an indelible impression of strength, spirit and soundness.
Behaviour/Temperament Exceptionally intelligent, it understands and obeys easily and happily any order given by its owner. An animal with impetuous disposition, wilful, courageous, sober and resistant to fatigue. It has a severe, penetrating and attentive expression, as well as remarkable visual and scent faculties. An excellent and resistant swimmer and diver, www.pwdcc.org
Size, Proportion, Substance Proportion Off square; slightly longer than tall when measured from prosternum to rearmost point of the buttocks, and from withers to ground. Substance Strong substantial bone; well developed, neither refined nor coarse, and a solidly built, muscular body.
Temperament
Temperament
An animal of spirited disposition, he is self-willed, brave and very resistant to fatigue. Exceptionally intelligent and a loyal companion, he does his job with facility and obvious pleasure.
An animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion, it obeys its master with facility and apparent pleasure. It is obedient with those who look after it or with those for whom it works. 1
it is the inseparable companion of the fisherman for whom it performs a multitude of tasks, both in fishing and in guarding and protecting its boat and property. While fishing, it will willingly jump to sea to retrieve escaped fish, diving if necessary and likewise if a net breaks or a cable becomes loose. It is also used as a liaison between boats and shore or vice-versa, even at great distances.
Summary Statement The Portuguese Water Dog is spirited yet obedient, robust, and of unexaggerated, functional conformation; sure, substantially boned and muscled, and able to do a full day's work in and out of the water.
Head
Head
Head
Well proportioned, strong and broad. Parallel longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle.
Well proportioned and massive.
An essential characteristic; distinctively large, well proportioned and with exceptional breadth of topskull.
SKULL
SKULL Seen in profile it is slightly longer than the muzzle, its curvature more accentuated at the back than in front and it possesses a well defined occiput. From the front the parietal bones are seen to be dome-shaped and to have a slight depression in the middle. The forehead has a central furrow for two thirds of the length of the parietals and the frontal bones are prominent.
SKULL
Facial Region NOSE Wide, with well open and pigmented nostrils. Black in black, white and pied animals. In brown specimens the nose is the same colour as the coat, but never marbled. MUZZLE Straight, broader at the base than at the extremity.
NOSE Wide. Nostrils well open and finely pigmented. Black, in animals with black, black and white or white coats. In browns the nose is of the same colour as the coat. MUZZLE is narrower at the nose that at its base. The STOP , which is well defined, is slightly further back than the inner corner of the eyes. LIPS Thick, especially in front. Inner corner of lips not apparent. Mucous membrane (roof of mouth, under the tongue and gums) well ticked with black or quite black.
Cranial Region Seen in profile it is slightly longer than the muzzle (4:3). Its curvature is more accentuated at the back and the occipital protuberance is pronounced. Seen from the front the parietal bones are rounded with a slight depression in the middle; the front is slightly hollow, the frontal furrow extends to two thirds of the parietal bones and the superciliary arches are prominent. STOP Well defined and slightly behind the inner corners of the eyes.
LIPS Thick, especially in front. Commissure not prominent. Mucous membranes (palate, under the tongue and gums) deeply pigmented in black, deep brown in brown dogs. JAWS/TEETH Strong, healthy teeth, not visible when mouth is closed. Strong and well developed canines. Scissor bite or pincer bite. EYES Medium sized; noticeable and rounded in shape; set well apart and slightly slanted. The iris is black or brown and the lids are thin and black edged, brown in brown dogs. Unapparent conjunctive.
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JAWS
Strong and neither over nor undershot. Not apparent. Canines strongly developed.
TEETH
EYES Medium sized, set well apart and a bit obliquely, roundish and neither prominent nor sunken. Brown or black in colour. The eyelids, which are of fine texture have black edges. No haw.
In profile, it is slightly longer that the muzzle, its curvature more accentuated at the back than in the front. When viewed head-on, the top of the skull is very broad and appears domed, with a slight depression in the middle. The forehead is prominent, and has a central furrow, extending two-thirds of the distance from stop to occiput. The occiput is well defined. STOP Well defined. EXPRESSION Steady, penetrating, and attentive. JAWS Strong and neither over nor undershot. NOSE Broad, well flared nostrils. Fully pigmented; black in dogs with black, black and white, or white coats; various tones of brown in dogs with brown coats. MUZZLE
Substantial; wider at the base than at the nose.
Thick, especially in front; no flew. Lips and mucous membranes of the roof of the mouth, under tongue, and gums are quite black, or well ticked with black in dogs with black, black and white, or white coats; various tones of brown in dogs with brown coats. BITE Scissors or level. TEETH Not visible when the mouth is closed. Canines strongly developed. EYES Medium in size, set well apart, and a bit obliquely. Roundish and neither prominent nor sunken. Black or various tones of brown in color. Darker eyes are preferred. Eye rims fully pigmented with black edges in black, black and white, or white dogs; brown edges in brown dogs. Haws are dark and not apparent. LIPS
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EARS Set above the eye line, held against the head, slightly raised from the rear and heart-shaped. Thin in texture, their extremity never reaches below the throat.
EARS Leather heart-shaped, thin in texture and set well above the line of the eyes. Except for a small opening at the back, the ears are held nicely against the head. The tips should not reach below the beginning of the neck.
EARS
Set well above the line of the eye. Leather is heart shaped and thin. Except for a small opening at the back, ears are held nicely against the head. Tips should not reach below the lower jaw.
Neck
Neck
Neck, Topline, Body
Straight, short, rounded, well muscled, well set and carried high; connecting to the body in an harmonious transition. Without ruff or dewlap.
Straight, short, nicely rounded and held high. Strongly muscled. No mane and no dewlap.
Body
Brisket
TOPLINE
Wide and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs long and well sprung. WITHERS Wide and not prominent. BACK Short and nicely joined to the croup. ABDOMEN Held well up in a graceful line.
BODY
Neck Straight, short, round, and held high. Strongly muscled. No dewlap.
CROUP Well proportioned, slightly sloping with symmetrical and non apparent hip bones. CHEST Wide and deep. Its lower edge should reach the elbow. The ribs are long and well sprung, providing great respiratory capacity. UNDERLINE & BELLY Gracefully shaped and reduced in volume.
CROUP Well formed and only slightly inclined with hips hardly apparent.
Level and firm. Chest is broad and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs are long and well-sprung to provide optimum lung capacity. BACK is broad and well muscled. ABDOMEN well held up in a graceful line. LOIN is short and meets the croup smoothly. CROUP is well formed and only slightly inclined with hip bones hardly apparent.
Tail
Tail
TAIL
Natural, of medium set-on, thick at its base, tapering towards the end. Should not reach below the hock. When attentive curls in a ring, not reaching beyond the middle of the loin. It is a useful aid for swimming and diving.
Not docked, thick at the base and tapering; medium setting. It should not reach down below the hock. When the dog is attentive the tail should be held in a ring, the front of which should not reach beyond the line of the kidneys. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.
TOP LINE
Straight; level.
Wide and not prominent. Straight, short, broad and well muscled. LOIN Short and well connected to the croup. WITHERS BACK
Limbs Forequarters Strong and straight. Upright. Slightly sloping pasterns are admissible. SHOULDER Slanting in profile and transversely. Strong muscular development. UPPER ARM Strong and medium in size. Parallel to the main body line. FOREARM Long and strongly muscled. CARPUS (PASTERN JOINT) Strong bones, broader when seen from the front than from the side. METACARPUS (PASTERN) Long and strong. www.pwdcc.org
Not docked; thick at the base and tapering; set on slightly below the line of the back; should not reach below the hock. When the dog is attentive the tail is held in a ring, the front of which should not reach forward of the loin. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.
Forelegs
Forequarters
Strong and straight. SHOULDER Well inclined and very strongly muscled.
FORELEGS
UPPER ARM Strong and of regular length, parallel to the medial body line. FOREARM Long and strongly muscled. KNEE Heavy boned, wider in front than at the side. PASTERN Long and strong.
UPPER ARMS
are strong and straight with long, well muscled forearms. SHOULDERS are well inclined and very strongly muscled.
CARPUS
are strong. is heavy-boned, wider in front than at the side.
PASTERNS
are long and strong. Dewclaws may be
removed. 3
FOREFEET Rounded and flat with slightly arched toes of medium length. The webbing, extending over the whole length of the toes, is composed of limp tissue and covered with abundant and long hair. Black nails are preferred but, according to coat colour, may also be white, striped or brown. The nails do not reach the ground. Hard central pad and normal thickness in the other pads.
Fore Feet Round and rather flat. Toes not too knuckled up and not too long. The membrane between the toes, which reaches the tip of these, is of soft skin, well covered with hair. Black nails are preferred but whites, browns and striped are allowed according to the colour of the coat. Nails held up slightly off the ground. Central pad very thick, others normal.
are round and rather flat. Toes neither knuckled up nor too long. Webbing between the toes is of soft skin, well covered with hair, and reaches the toe tips. Central pad is very thick, others normal. Nails held up slightly off the ground. Black, brown, white and striped nails are allowed.
FEET
Hind Legs
Hindquarters
Straight and very strongly muscled.
THIGH
Powerful; well balanced with front assembly. Legs, viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other, straight and very strongly muscled in upper and lower thighs. BUTTOCKS are well developed.
Hock Strong.
Hock
TENDONS AND HOCKS
Metatarsus (rear pastern) Long. Without dewclaws.
Metatarsus
Hind Feet Identical to the forefeet in all aspects.
Hind Feet
Hindquarters Upright and well muscled. Slightly sloping hocks are admissible. BUTTOCK: Strong and well rounded. THIGH: Strong and medium in length. Very well muscled. Stifle joint turned neither in nor out. SECOND THIGH Long and very well muscled. Turned neither in nor out. Well slanting from front to back. All tendons and ligaments are strong.
Long and well curved. Strong and of regular length. Very strongly muscled. Thigh bone parallel to the medial body line. SECOND THIGH Long and strongly muscled, parallel to the medial body line. Decidedly inclined from front to back. All the tendons well developed. BUTTOCKS
are strong.
Strong METATARSUS
long, no dewclaws.
Long. No dewclaws.
Similar, in all respects, to the fore feet
FEET
similar in all respects to forefeet.
Position of Legs Regular. It is admissible for the front legs to be held so that feet are slightly in front of the perpendicular and the back legs, from the hock downwards, also a bit forward.
Gait/Movement
Gait
Gait
Easy movement with short steps at walk; light cadenced trot and energetic gallop.
First and foremost a working dog, the Portuguese Water Dog’s trotting gait should be effortless, balanced and sound. He should display a proud carriage and a light, happy attitude with the tail carried high in a ring over the back. He should be gaited at a moderate speed. There should be good reach and strong drive with a level topline. At increased speed there will be a tendency to
Short, lively steps when walking. The trot is a forward striding, well balanced movement.
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Skin Thick, supple; not very tight; internal and external mucous membranes preferably pigmented.
converge. Movement from front and rear will be clean and true. The walking gait is light with short steps and the gallop energetic.
Coat
Coat and Colour
Hair The whole body is abundantly covered with strong hair, with no undercoat. one long and wavy and the other shorter and curly. The first is slightly shiny and woolly; the latter is dense, lustreless and forms compact cylindrical curls. Except for the underarms and groin the coat is even all over the skin. On the head it forms a topknot of wavy hair in the long and wavy variety and of curly hair in the curly variety. The hair in the ears is longer in the long and wavy variety.
Coat Profuse coat, of strong hair, covering the whole body evenly, except for the under-arms and groin where it is thinner.
Colour The coat is black or brown of various shades, or solid white. In black or brown coats, white is accepted in the following locations: muzzle, topknot, neck, forechest, belly, tip of tail and lower extremities of the limbs, below the elbows and hocks. The white coat must not be albino, consequently the nose, eyelids and inside of the mouth should be pigmented in black, and brown in brown dogs. In this breed partial clipping of the coat, when it is too long, is typical. The hindquarters, the muzzle and part of the tail are clipped, leaving a plume of full length hair at the tip of the tail.
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Coat A profuse, thickly planted coat of strong, healthy hair, covering the whole body, evenly, except where the forearm meets the brisket and in the groin area, where it is thinner. No undercoat , mane or ruff.
THERE ARE TWO VARIETIES OF COAT
1. The hair is fairly long, wavy, rather loose with a slight sheen. The hair on the top of the head is upright and that on the ears decidedly longer than the leather. 2. The hair is shorter, forms compact cylindrical curls, thickly planted and somewhat lusterless. On the top of the head the hair is similar to that of the rest of the coat, whereas that on the ears is sometimes wavy. Colours are black, white and various tones of brown; also combinations of black, or brown with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth and eyelids are black. In animals with black, white, or black and white coats, the skin is decidedly bluish. There is no undercoat.
THERE ARE TWO VARIETIES OF COAT:
Colour Colours are black, white and various tones of brown; also combinations of black or brown with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth and eyelids are black. In animals with black, white or black and white coasts, the skin is decidely bluish. There is no undercoat.
Color
Lion Clip The middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle, must be clipped. The rest of the coat is left long. The hair on the end of the tail is left at full length.
Clip
Retriever Clip The entire coat is scissored or clipped to follow the outline of the dog, leaving a short blanket of coat appearing no more than one inch in length. The hair on the end of the tail is left at full length. Hair on the ears is trimmed to the leathers. No discrimination will be made against the correct presentation of a dog in either Lion Clip or Retriever Clip.
compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless. The hair on the ears is sometimes wavy. WAVY Falling gently in waves, not curls, and with a slight sheen. No preference will be given to coat type, either curly or wavy. CURLY
Black, white, and various tones of brown; also combinations of black or brown with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth, and eyelids are black. in animals with black, white, or black and white coats, the skin is decidedly bluish.
Two clips are acceptable: LION CLIP As soon as the coat grows long, the middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle are clipped. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. RETRIEVER CLIP In order to give a natural appearance and a smooth unbroken line, the entire coat is scissored or clipped to follow the outline of the dog, leaving a short blanket of coat no longer than one inch in length. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. No discrimination will be made against the correct presentation of a dog in either Lion clip or Retriever Clip. 5
Height And Weight
Size
Size
Height at withers MALES 50 - 57 cm Ideal height 54 cm
Height
Height at the withers MALES 20 to 23 inches. The ideal is 22 inches.
FEMALES
43 - 52 cm. Ideal height 46 cm
Weight MALES FEMALES
19 - 25 kg 16 - 22 kg
between 19.5” and 22.5” (50-57 cm) the ideal being 21.5” (54 cm) FEMALES between 16.5” and 20.5” (43-52 cm) the ideal being 18” (46 cm) Weight MALES between 42 and 60 pounds (19-25k) FEMALES between 35 and 50 pounds (16-22k) MALES
FEMALES
17 - 21 inches. The ideal is 19 inches.
Weight MALES FEMALES
42 to 60 pounds; 35 - 50 pounds.
Faults
Faults
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the health and welfare of the dog.
Any deviation from the described ideal is a fault. Major Faults are those deviations that interfere with the performance of the dog’s traditional job and which therefore cannot be overlooked.
Any deviation from the described ideal is a fault. However, those inherent characteristics that are imperative for the maintenance of proper type, and therefore cannot be overlooked, are listed as Major Faults.
Major Faults
Severe Faults HEAD MUZZLE EYES EARS TAIL
Too long, narrow, flat or pointed. Too tapered or pointed. Light, too protruding or too sunken. Incorrect set, too big, too short or folded. Heavy, dropped in action or raised perpendicularly.
TEMPERAMENT HEAD SUBSTANCE COAT
Eliminating Faults
Disqualifications
Aggressive or overly shy. SIZE Over-sized or under-sized JAWS Undershot or overshot. EYES Wall eye, uneven in shape or size. DEAFNESS Congential or acquired. TAIL Docked, rudimentary or non-existent. FEET Presence of dewclaws. COAT Hair different from the described types. COLOUR Albinism, marbled nostrils in whole or in part. Any other colour than the described type. Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified. NB: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Colour other than those mentioned Coat other than those mentioned Over or undershot jaws Over or under height Flesh-coloured or discoloured noses
BEHAVIOUR
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TAIL PIGMENT
©2002 PWDCC BITE
Shy, vicious, or unsound behavior. Unimpressive; small in overall size; narrow in topskull; snipey in muzzle. Light or refined in bone; lacking in muscle. Sparse; naturally short, close-lying hair, partially or overall; wispy or wiry in texture; brittle; double-coated. Other than as described. Extremely low set. Heavy or droopy in action. Any deviation from described pigmentation; other than black or various tones of brown eye color; pink or partial pigmentation in nose, lips, eyes, or eye rims. Overshot or undershot.
Approved January 15, 1991 Effective February 27, 1991
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Leao and his daughter’s at Pico do Salomas in the Azores
Charles White with Samba, Ch Anacove’s La Primera Samba and his son Dillon. Ch Pinehaven’s On The Town with Jack Girton Ch Driftwood’s M-N-M Candy Cookie
Ch Charlie De Alvalade
Zum Zum De Alvalade and his son Kyrghis (left)
Taro (AD)
Ch Neocles Duke O’Sunjoy Whitecap, CD with Ric Krieger and Beverly Jorgensen owner
Cam Salvary’s Gidget
Jame Freeman’s Freestyle IC pup Baluarte De Alvalade
Ch. Cutwater I’m BJ of Robel
Christopher Robin as a pup The dogs featured on the covers are a sampling of some historical variations of coat and colour in Portuguese Water Dogs; it is not a definitive presentation.
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BIS Ch Gozo Do Mar 1985
© February 2012 Prepared by Roslyn Eskind Associates Limited for the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada.