Health of Portuguese Water Dogs:

For the latest health information please see the Health sections on the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Great Britain website: https://www.pwdca.org/health ​One of the great benefits of breeding pedigree dogs is health testing. It gives us breeders to choose only healthy individuals for breeding, which will have healthy offspring, and new owners the opportunity to choose from which  parents they will get a friend for more than 10 years.

I can say for myself that health tests are the most important rule for me when looking for a parents or a new dog. At the same time, it is the only way for me to keep dog breeding healthy for future generations. This shows how important and beneficial health tests are, regardless of the breed. The most common health problems of this breed are listed and explained below. All our dogs are fully tested. There are currently no compulsory veterinary screening schemes or DNA tests relevant to the breed under the Assured Breeder Scheme, however I believe all reputable breeders should do this.

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Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a heritable and complex condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. As the dog gets older, the joint undergoes wear and tear and the joint deteriorates, leading to a loss of function. This can cause varying degrees of pain, discomfort, stiffness and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia can be hereditary, but it can be made worse by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or nutritionally depleted diet,  injuries incurred from over-exercise when too young, climbing stairs under a year old, jumping or falling on slippery floors. Scoring for Hip Dysplasia is done by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) / Kennel Club (KC) scheme - a dog’s hips are X rayed and the plates are evaluated by a team of appointed specialists to determine anatomical and pathological changes indicative of hip dysplasia. The scores shown are one for each hip and then the combined total. The range is from 0 to 106 (0 being the best score and 106 being the worst).
 

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia - a condition where the elbow joint does not develop correctly. As the dog matures, the joint undergoes wear and tear and the joint deteriorates, leading to a loss of function. This can cause varying degrees of pain, discomfort, stiffness and lameness. The x-ray tests in the UK are only starting to be done by breeders. It is scored out of 3. A good breeder will be doing this test because the more they are done the more information the breed will have to see if there are any issues in the breed. Currently, a good breeder would expect to breed PWD with an elbow score of 0 out of 3. 

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prcd-PRA progressive rod cone degeneration - Progresive Retinal Atrophy

This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. All reputable breeders have their dogs tested. The disease PRA, progressive retinal atrophy, is manifested by degeneration of the retina. The light-sensitive cells of the retina (retina) gradually die because they are not sufficiently supplied with blood vessels. The retina is made up of two types of photoreceptor cells – rods and cones. Rods distinguish shades of gray and are more sensitive to light, thus enabling vision in the dark. The cones, on the other hand, mediate color vision. The disease is hereditary. First described in 1911 in Gordon Setters, it has since been recognized in most dog breeds, wolves and even humans.

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Early Onset - EO-PRA

In addition to prcd PRA, Early-Onset PRA is another form of PRA that has recently been identified in Spanish Water Dog (SWD) and Portuguese Water Dog (PWD). Two new variants have been identified, one found in SWD and another in PWD. These two new forms are characterised by vision problems starting as early as 1.5 years of age. Symptoms continue to progress and by 4.5 years of age, significant sight loss is reported.

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Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDCM)

This is an inherited heart disease that causes sudden death in puppies between the ages of five weeks and seven months. It is a recessive gene and if both parents carry the gene then the puppy will be affected. 

 Puppies affected with JDCM die suddenly or with very little warning usually between the ages of six weeks to seven months old. There have, however, been cases reported younger than six weeks as well as older than seven months. The signs and symptoms of JDCM include a 12 to 48-hour loss of appetite, decreased energy level, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Some pups have no physical signs or symptoms at all, may just collapse and die, or are found dead by the breeder or new owner. 

 At this time, there is no known cure or treatment but there is a way to prevent producing JDCM affected puppies. The only way is for breeders to prevent producing affected puppies by knowing the test outcomes of their breeding dogs and avoiding breeding carriers of the gene. 

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GM1 - Gangliosidosis

GM1 gangliosidosis is an inherited Lysosomal Storage Disorder affecting Portuguese water dogs. Affected dogs typically present with symptoms of neurologic disease around 2 to 6 months of age. Dogs with GM1 gangliosidosis have insufficient activity of the Enzyme beta-galactosidase, which is responsible for breaking down specific carbohydrates in the cells. As a result, there is an accumulation of break down products such as GM1 in cells, especially cells of the brain and nervous system. Symptoms include vision loss, Nystagmus, difficulties walking, loss of balance, head tremors, abnormal bone growth and weight loss. Once an affected dog begins to show signs of the disease, the disease progression is rapid and dogs usually die by one year of age.

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Microphthalmia

Microphthalmia (previously known as Puppy Eye Syndrome, and now referred to as “MO”) is a syndrome presenting with multiple signs, including more body systems than the eyes, and has been reported in the Portuguese Water Dog dating back more than 20 years. The mode of inheritance is currently unknown. This syndrome is present at birth. Commonly, neonates present as “failure to thrive” and breeders may be unaware of this condition as the cause unless stillborn and “failure to thrive” puppies that do not survive have a post mortem exam (necropsy) performed. Affected puppies that survive past weaning typically have a shortened life span with a variety of health problems reported.

This syndrome exhibits eye-related conditions which are best diagnosed by a veterinary ophthalmologist after the puppy is seven weeks of age or by necropsy.

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Chondrodystrophy (CDDY with IVDD Risk) and Chondrodysplasia (CDPA)

Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) causes short legs and the risk of developing Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Chondrodysplasia (CDPA) causes the short legged phenotype in a number of breeds.

Chondrodystrophy (CDDY with IVDD Risk) is a trait that is common to many dog breeds and it is characterised by shorter legs due to shorter long bones. CDDY can also be associated with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) due to premature degeneration of the intervertbral disc. The intervertebral disc lie between the vertebrae and it is made of a cartilage which separate vertebrae from each other, absorb shocks and allow slight movement of the vertebrae. In affected dogs, premature calcification of part of the disc at early age (from birth to 1 year of age) results in degeneration of all discs in young dogs. These abnormal discs are susceptible to herniation into the spinal canal where the inflammation, and hemorrhage can cause severe pain and neurological dysfunction. CDDY is inherited as a semi-dominant trait which means that dogs with 2 copies of the mutation are smaller than dogs with only 1 copy. As for IVDD, the inheritance follows a dominant mode, meaning that 1 copy of CDDY mutation is sufficient to predispose dogs to IVDD.

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Addison´s disease

Addison’s disease is a dysfunction of the adrenal glands, aka hypoadrenocorticism or adrenal insufficiency. The disease is treatable and if caught early it is possible for affected patients to live normal, active lives. Portuguese Water Dogs (along with approximately a dozen other breeds) are predisposed to Addison’s. The median age of dogs diagnosed with Addison’s is 4–6 years, but has been reported in puppies and in dogs as old as 12 years of age.

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Improper Coat (IC)

Portuguese Waterdogs are easily recognised by their curly or wavy coat, however, dogs with the IC gene variant, tend to have short, flat coat on the muzzle, face and head; short and sometimes sparse coat on the front of their legs, with feathering behind the legs; a full ruff on the neck; and longer, thick coat on their bodies. It is a genetic mutation found in purebred Portuguese Water Dogs, probably originating with the inclusion of some other breed at some point in our history. It is not a health issue. It is a coat issue with the dogs having a coat that does not grow long and stays short to the skin and will shed.

Breed Standart:

FCI-Standard N° 37

FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (AISBL)
SECRETARIAT GENERAL: 13, Place Albert 1er B – 6530 Thuin (Belgique)
______________________________________________________________
30.03.2009/EN
FCI-Standard N° 37
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
(Cão de Agua Português)

TRANSLATION : Portuguese Kennel Club. Revised by R. Triquet
& J. Mulholland and Renée Sporre-Willes.
ORIGIN : Portugal.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID
STANDARD : 04.11.2008.
UTILIZATION : Assistance with fishing and retrieving as well as companion dog.
FCI- CLASSIFICATION : Group 8 Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs. Section 3 Water dogs.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : 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.
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.
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.
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, 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.

HEAD : Well proportioned, strong and broad. Parallel longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : 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.
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.
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.
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.
NECK : Straight, short, rounded, well muscled, well set and carried high; connecting to the body in an harmonious transition. Without ruff or dewlap.
BODY :
Top line : Straight; level.
Withers : Wide and not prominent.
Back : Straight, short, broad and well muscled.
Loin : Short and well connected to the croup.
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.
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.
LIMBS FOREQUARTERS :
General appearance : 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.
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.
HINDQUARTERS :
General appearance : 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.
Hock : Strong.
Metatarsus (rear pastern) : Long. Without dewclaws.
Hind feet : Identical to the forefeet in all aspects.
GAIT/MOVEMENT : Easy movement with short steps at walk; light cadenced trot and energetic gallop.
SKIN : Thick, supple; not very tight; internal and external mucous membranes preferably pigmented.
COAT
HAIR : The whole body is abundantly covered with strong hair, with no undercoat. There are two varieties: 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.
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.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT :
Height at withers :
Males: 50 – 57 cm. Ideal height 54 cm.
Females: 43 – 52 cm. Ideal height 46 cm.
Weight :
Males: 19 – 25 kg.
Females: 16 – 22 kg.
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.
SEVERE FAULTS :
· Head : Too long, narrow, flat or pointed.
· Muzzle : Too tapered or pointed.
· Eyes : Light, too protruding or too sunken.
· Ears : Incorrect set, too big, too short or folded.
· Tail : Heavy, dropped in action or raised perpendicularly.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
· Aggressive or overly shy.
· Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
· 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.
N.B.:
· Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
· Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.