Save the Portuguese Water Dog

The announcement last week that President Obama had chosen a Portuguese Water Dog as the White House family pet sent shivers up the spines of Portie enthusiasts world wide. 

Why?

 

The best way to destroy a breed is a sudden leap in popularity. Just look at what 101 Dalmatians did to that breed. So, in the interest of the breed let me step in and do what I can.

Eight Reasons Not to get a Portuguese water Dog

1. They are not hypoallergenic: In fact no dog is truly hypoallergenic. True, they don't have an undercoat and they don't shed like most dogs. But like all dogs they do deposit the proteins from saliva on there coats and these allergy causing proteins do get into the atmosphere and do cause allergies in susceptible people. 

2. They are high energy: This is breeder speak for they need lots of activity to keep them occupied. If you don't provide them with something to do they will come up with their own activity schedule. Like eating your couch if you plan on going into the office for more than three or four hours.

3. Support your local groomer: I've saved thousands of dollars over the last few years by going bald. I can easily handle the few remaining unruly hairs on my head with a twenty dollar set of clippers. Your Portie will need to go to the groomer every month or so for a touch up. The breed standard is either the classic Lion Clip or the more casual retriever doo where the hair is kept no more than one inch in length over all.

4. Buy Low Sell High: You'll have to shell out about $2000 for a new Portie puppy. Unless you are a Kennedy you probably don't want to sell any of your depressed stocks right now. You should be buying now, not selling. Don't put it on the credit card either. The interest rates are at loan shark levels these days.

5. Buy American: Like they are saying over at Fox News, "What's wrong with an American Water Dog?" Other than the fact that there is no such breed you have to wonder about something so blatantly European. Although Portugal doesn't actually border France, it's pretty darn close.

6. Small gene pool: There were fewer than 25 pure bred Porties in the world in 1972. Rare breeds need to be bred very cautiously and only by experts. Porties are kind of like the Romanov's in this respect. Too much inbreeding, as would likely happen with unscrupulous get rich quick breeders, would result in more hereditary diseases, like progressive retinal atrophy, which can plague this breed.

7. You'll have to put in a swimming pool: Unless you live by a pond that is. They don't call them water dogs for nothing.  

8. Plenty of Shelter Mutts available:  This is probably the single best reason. Until we can make spaying and neutering a universal practice, there will always be unwanted, perfectly suitable pets available for adoption at your local animal shelter.

Seriously, the Portuguese Water Dog is a wonderful breed. They are beautiful, intelligent, athletic and a tremendous addition to the First Family. If you are interested in one I'm sure they will make an excellent pet and companion. Contact The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America if you are serious. This group champions the interest of this breed and will do all they can to keep the breed healthy in the face of a surge in popularity. 

 

And if you can't wait for a good Portie puppy, seriously consider point eight above. 

Comments

[Larry McDaniel]

And a fine breed of dog they are. Much of my post was tongue in cheek, but I never miss an opportunity to poke fun at goofy politicians and their hacks . Hopefully no one would ever hold a dog's country of origin against him. In truth there are only a few breeds that are truly american in origin. The American Water Spaniel is truly one, originating in the upper midwest. This rare breed is also the State Dog of Wisconsin! Go Cheese heads.

[Damona]

By now, you must have heard that there IS an American Water Spaniel. They are even rarer than the Portie--maybe Portie lovers can tell those folks who are against the European name to go get the American Water Spaniel instead. That could help save the Porties from overbreeding!