| In Portugal, the Portuguese Water
Dog is known as "Cao De Agua" (pronounced Kown-d'ahgwa -
"dog of the water"). We're also called the Portuguese Fishing
Dog, the Diving Dog or the Sea Dog.
We're an old breed, bred to assist the fishermen on their boats. We swam between boats,
that's where our webs came in handy.
We "worked" by retrieving the nets and
fetching fish.
We even participated in an early version boat to boat communications - "PWDMAIL".
Unfortunately, as the the fishermen became more modern, our role diminished
almost making us extinct.
Since we were brought to America
(in the '60s!), we now enjoy new forms of activity. Since 1983 we officially run and jump (Agility), look
stylish in both our lion and retriever clips (Breed), get wet (Water Agility)
under the recognition of the AKC Working Group. However, there are still many of us who are the most basic thing -
loving pets. Just ask
any PWD owner!
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