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SWD or PWD? What is the difference?
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the untrained eye, it is easy to mistake an SWD for a PWD or Poodle. The
sizes, colors and coats may be similar in two dogs of these
different breeds, but they are very different dogs, indeed. Below is a
photo of a young brown male PWD in the traditional lion trim (for when
they sat on the fish in the boat!), and a black adult female SWD in full
cords. In the five minutes it will take you to read this
page, you be able to revisit this photo and see the
differences between them.
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Brief History and Function
It isn't true only in architecture--it's the same in breeding dogs: Form
follows function.
SWDs and PWDs probably shared a major common ancestor several hundreds of
years ago. However, it is important to understand how a line of dogs can be
changed within only three generations through selective breeding practices.
Due to political, social, and geographical differences, the SWD and PWD have
been used, and therefore developed, in very different ways.
Spanish Water Dog
This breed was primarily owned by the agrarian working in Spain,
primarily in the southern regions. The dog was expected to fill many
functions, but was mainly used to herd livestock including goats and
pigs. The dog was also commonly used to hunt small game, including
rabbits and birds. On the northern coastline of the country, the dog was
used similarly to the PWD: as a working dog on manual fishing boats.
There are also accounts of the dog being used as ratters and guard dogs
in mines.
The industrial revolution was slow to hit Spain, but its effects were
felt nonetheless. Perhaps the largest impact felt by the SWD was in the
fencing-off of fields, completely changing the management of livestock
and the functionality of the SWD.
Today, the SWD can still be found in the hills and farms of southern
Spain working livestock or as a hunting dog, however it is becoming
increasingly common to encounter these dogs as companion animals. |
Portuguese Water Dog
This breed was primarily found on the coastline of Portugal and used
on manual fishing boats to retrieve tackle, set nets, and guard the
catch once in shore.
The industrial revolution mechanized the fishing fleets, driving the
breed to obscurity except for the efforts of two private kennels which
collected and preserved the breed. One kennel eventually disappeared,
and the other was decimated upon the arrival of communism to the
country. The breed was re-built from just a handful of dogs.
After thirty years of rebuilding the breed, the PWD population is now
in the thousands. The modern dog is primarily a companion animal,
although many owners take great pride in their dogs' working abilities
and train for competitive venues such as water work, agility, obedience,
and the like. A rather famous Portuguese Water Dog named "Dutch" worked
search and rescue at the World Trade Centers after 9/11. |
Heights and Weights
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Spanish Water Dog |
Portuguese Water Dog |
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Height |
Weight |
Height |
Weight |
| Males |
17.5" - 19.5" |
40# - 48# |
20" - 23" |
42# - 60 |
| Females |
15.5" - 18" |
30# - 38# |
17" - 21" |
35# - 50# |
As you can see, the SWD should be slightly lighter than a PWD, but
significantly shorter at the shoulder. Both dogs are off-square, and
proportionally of medium bone.
Appearance
In many ways, the SWD and PWD can look very alike. Indeed, when I visited
the Monografica in Spain I was surprised at how similar the taller, leggier
SWDs looked to PWDs. However, there are differences in appearance that can
be dead give-aways to which breed you are looking at.
| Spanish Water Dog |
Portuguese Water
Dog |
| Head has slightly stop. |
Head has a moderate stop to the muzzle. |
| Tail is traditionally docked. Some breeders
are experimenting with a naturally-docked-tail gene in their lines. |
Tail is undocked and is carried in a curved manner over the back.
Traditionally, the hair of the end of the tail is left in a "flag". |
| Coat is always curly, never wavy or
straight. The coat is "single", meaning there are very few undercoat
hairs, what some people call erroneously a "hypoallergenic" coat.
Traditionally, it is never brushed and is clipped down evenly and
completely in a utilitarian manner at least once per year. Between
clippings, the coat is left natural and will form cords. Dogs working in
the fields of Spain sometimes have their faces and feet shaved close for
cleanliness. |
The coat can either be wavy or curly (or
anywhere in between). As with the SWD, the coat is "single", with little
undercoat, although this varies from dog to dog (as with all
"single-coated" breeds). The coat must be brushed at least once weekly
and groomed every 4-6 weeks. Today, there are two cuts in which you may
find a PWD:
Lion Cut. This is the traditional cut for PWD working on the fishing
boats (much easier to keep clean), although the Portuguese shaved the
head further back and the jacket further up the ribcage. In countries
other than the US and Canada, this is the only trim in which the dog may
be shown.
Retriever Trim. This cut was introduced to the American market since
most Americans could not swallow a lion trim. This trim is allowable in
the American and Canadian show arena, only. |
| Colors come in all shades of brown, black,
white, or any combination of a single shade of brown and white, or black
and white. The breed carries coat color modifiers, so it is possible to
have a black-nosed dog with a brown or beige coat color. |
Colors are brown, black, brown and white or
black and white. This breed does not carry the pattern for solid white,
nor does it have coat color modifiers. Black-nosed dogs will not be
brown, and brown-nosed dogs will not be black. |
 1 1 weeks
Temperament
Although these dogs probably descended from similar Iberian-Peninsula
stock several hundred years ago and retain similarities in their outward
appearances, temperamentally the two breeds are very, very different, indeed!
The Portuguese Water Dog is about 30 years ahead of the Spanish Water Dog
in the United States. In that time, the temperament of the PWD has gradually
changed to meet the needs of its owners: the American family.
Temperamentally, PWDs are wonderful family and neighborhood dogs. They
are happy and enthusiastic. They are also frequently in trouble! As puppies, they
can be extremely mischievous and test your limits continuously. They are
known "counter surfers". PWDs are very much working companions.
In contrast, the SWD is
still very much a rustic herding dog, only recently being bred for
companionship instead of farm assistance. While individuals certainly can be excellent
family dogs, they tend more often than not to be most devoted to one person
in the household. It is typical for this breed to be aloof and wary of
strangers--what herder wanted his dog leaving the stock to give kisses to
strangers? SWDs are happiest with active and purposeful lives. They are
intelligent problem-solvers, and require a great deal of socialization
during their first year of life.
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