Portuguese Water Dogs are known to have friendly, playful dispositions. They bond closely with their families and love being around them. They also tend to get along with just about everyone. As long as they are properly socialized, they do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are even open to meeting strangers!

If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect the same from a Portuguese Water Dog Mix. You still want to talk to the breeder about the other parent as they will their own quirks you will want to be aware of.

You can also meet the mother to see what her temperament is like and what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started some socialization and training, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home.

PWDs tend to be highly adaptable dogs. As long as they get enough daily exercise and attention, they do well in apartments as well as larger homes. They are not overly sensitive to the heat and cold, but you still need to be cautious with extremes as with all dogs. These dogs also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect the same from a Portuguese Water Dog Mix. It’s still important to learn about the other parent breed as they will introduce their own potential traits and quirks related to adaptability.

Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs. But, it’s not a guarantee and good breeding practices make a huge difference. From the PWD side, potential health concerns to be aware of in a Portuguese Water Dog Mix include Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Storage Disease.

Both of these are genetic and reputable breeders should be testing for them. Reputable breeders should be screening their dogs regardless to avoid passing issues to puppies. So, don’t be afraid to ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents and about any health tests that have been done.

Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent dogs that are eager to please and pick up on things quickly. As long as you can handle their energy and keep training interesting, they are a good fit for owners of all experience levels.

If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you can expect the same from a Portuguese Water Dog Mix. If the other parent breed is more difficult to train, then you will want to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes.

A Portuguese Water Dog Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a combination of both. If they end up with a Portuguese Water Dog coat, they will be low-shedding, require weekly brushing, and need the occasional bath.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Portuguese Water Dog Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. Trimming nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long.

Weekly ear checks and carefully cleaning your dog’s ears as needed can help prevent ear infections. Daily tooth brushing, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

A Portuguese Water Dog is a high-energy dog that needs daily walks, plus playtime, some time to run, and other activities to be happy and healthy. They are an agile and athletic breed that tends to be well-suited for several dogs sports and are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water.

If the other parent breed is also a high-energy breed, then you should expect a high-energy Portuguese Water Dog Mix. If the other parent breed has a lower activity level, you will still need to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog.

A fully-grown Portuguese Water Dog Mix stands 17-23 inches tall and weighs 35-60 pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so you want to ask the breeder about them. It’s not a guarantee, but you can also meet the mother in person to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Portuguese Water Dog Mix.

A PWD generally lives for 10-14 years on average. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span in a Portuguese Water Dog Mix.