Portuguese Water Dog Grooming

Portuguese Water Dogs have attractive, thick, single-layered coats that can be either curly or wavy. While they're non-shedding, PWD coats grow indefinitely, and will thus need regular trimming to keep them from getting too long. See below for details on how to care for the coats, and info on the two most popular grooming styles.

The Portuguese Water Dog's coat comes in either curly or wavy varieties, both of which are non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Both coat variants, however, continue to grow throughout the dog's life, so frequent Portuguese Water Dog grooming is vital. These dogs need brushing 4-5 times per week to keep their coats healthy and tangle-free, they need baths every 6-8 weeks, and they require clipping/scissoring about once a month to keep the fur from getting too long.

See below for instructions on how to brush a Portuguese Water Dog.

Depending on your dog's hairstyle, most PWD owners learn how to clip/scissor their dogs from a professional groomer, who can teach them how to groom a Portuguese Water Dog themselves. (NOTE: The hair around a PWD's eyes can grow long enough to obscure the dog's vision, so owners will at least need to know how to trim that hair on their own.)

These dogs' thick coats will need frequent brushing; daily brushing is best if you can find the time. Most owners believe the best brush for a Portuguese Water Dog is a slicker brush; a pin brush will be fine to use as well. A greyhound comb will also be good to have on hand.

To brush: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle, first try separating it with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with the end teeth of the comb.

A majority of Portuguese Water Dog haircuts are either a Lion Cut or a Retriever Cut, both of which are described below. Most owners have these Portuguese Water Dog grooming styles done by professional groomers, although a few have the groomer show them how to give (and maintain) the cut themselves.

• Lion Cut: A majority of the coat is left at full length, but the rear third of the body, the hindquarters and hind legs, and the tail (except for a pom-pom at the tail tip) are shaved very close. This is a traditional PWD cut that originated centuries ago with Portuguese fishermen, who styled their dogs' coats this way to lessen the shock of cold water when the dogs jumped into it.
• Retriever Cut: Similar to a Puppy Cut, this is when a Portuguese Water Dog is shaved to 1-2 inches of fur length all over. Though easier to maintain overall, this style requires a touch up (either at home or by a groomer) about once a month.