How Smart Are Portuguese Water Dogs? Average Intelligence & Breed Facts
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Regardless of a dog’s skill or IQ level, they need a job to do, whether it’s herding, protecting, or simply being a companion. Most dogs were bred for certain tasks, and the Portuguese Water Dog is no different.
The Portuguese Water Dog was bred to be a fisherman’s helper. It was used to herd fish into nets, retrieve lost tackle, and act as a messenger between ships. Their job description included tasks that required a high level of skill, and while they are not used for those tasks today, their intelligence remains the same.
Portuguese Water Dogs are smart dogs, but there is more to this label than just natural intelligence. Read on to find out how smart Portuguese Water Dogs are and what it is that makes this breed intelligent.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs Smart?
Portuguese Water Dogs, much like their Poodle cousins, are considered to be highly intelligent. Originally bred as working dogs alongside fishermen, they have an appetite for work. These qualities combined make them an easy breed to train and in addition to their loving nature, playfulness, and affection, they make wonderful companions.
Portuguese Water Dogs love learning tricks and playing games, and they excel in obedience, agility, and, not surprisingly, water sports. They are classified as a working dog breed and excel when they have a job to do.
How Smart Are Portuguese Water Dogs?
Regarding a dog’s intelligence, some breeds are more skilled in performing tasks and learning, but intelligence levels will still vary for each dog, even within a species. Dogs are irreplaceable companions because of their capacity to learn quickly and respond to human cues, whether herding an enormous flock of sheep or becoming a certified assistance dog or, in this case, a fisherman’s assistant.
However, it can be difficult to compare the skill levels of each, as they are bred and trained for various tasks and in varying capacities. Most studies characterize dogs’ intelligence as their capacity for learning, problem-solving, and obedience.
The three main categories used in the study of dog intelligence over the past few decades are:
- Instinctive: This intelligence is based on the behaviors a dog was bred to perform.
- Working: Working intelligence is based on what a dog can be taught and is closely associated with obedience training.
- Adaptive: This is the capacity to change with the environment and learn new skills.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has traditionally been the top organization for classifying canine intelligence by breed, especially regarding working or obedience abilities. According to AKC standards,1 the Portuguese Water Dog is “A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion; it obeys its master with facility and apparent pleasure. It is obedient with those who look after it or those for whom it works.”
The Portuguese Water Dog responds well to obedience training and is classified as a working dog that can easily be trained. While it doesn’t make the top 10 list of most intelligent dog breeds in the world,2 Portuguese Water Dogs score high in all three categories of intelligence and are considered a highly intelligent breed.
Are Portuguese Water Dogs Easy to Train?
The neuropsychologist Stanley Coren focuses on trainability as a sign of intelligence in his best-selling book, The Intelligence of Dogs. However, it’s essential to know that smart doesn’t mean easy. Portuguese Water Dogs are highly trainable, and as with any dog with a high level of intelligence, obedience training is essential.
Obedience Training
Not only will it keep them mentally active, but it will also reduce some of their undesirable tendencies, such as the breed’s tendency to leap up to greet people. With that being said, they can also tend to be a little boisterous with children, which is another reason why obedience training is so important.
Low Prey Drive
Portuguese Water Deals are ideal for families with small animals. They have a low prey drive, which also makes training a little easier without the tendency to go after anything they may see as prey. This also means they are typically safe off a leash or in a park where they won’t dart off after a squirrel.
Performing Services & Competing
Portuguese water dogs are excellent as service animals and can easily be trained to assist and perform tasks for people with disabilities. They also do well in canine sports like agility, obedience, rally, therapy work, and especially water work. Their high level of intelligence and appetite for work make them suitable companions for experienced owners.
How to Nurture Your Portuguese Water Dogs Intelligence
If a dog is well-socialized and given proper care, it can use its intelligence to the best of its abilities. Here are some tips for nurturing your Portuguese Water Dog’s intelligence.
- As with all dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs need early socialization and training. As soon as you bring your pup home, you should begin basic training and consider puppy classes. Taking your puppy out more often will expose it to new situations, which will make it easier to deal with as it gets older.
- Early training will build this kind of intelligence in your dog and make it easier to train later. Your dog is more likely to pick up new orders if you talk to it frequently, use hand signals, and practice giving commands.
- Starting positive reinforcement training in your dog’s life as early as possible will help it learn that good conduct is rewarded with praise and treats. The Portuguese Water Dog responds well to positive reinforcement training because they are highly food motivated.
- Portuguese Water Dogs have high energy levels and need daily physical and mental stimulation. Because this breed was bred to assist fishermen with various tasks, they need to work and love to learn new things. They need a job to keep them happy, which could be as simple as catching a ball or frisbee.
Conclusion
Portuguese Water Dogs are considered highly intelligent and easy to train. They excel in obedience, learning new tricks, water sports, and agility. They also have an instinctual intelligence that can easily be nurtured through early socialization and training, puppy classes, puzzles, and dog sports.
While they don’t make the top 10 list of the world’s smartest breed, intelligence is a trait they do not lack. Porties are smart dogs, and you’ll soon realize that once you get to know them.
Related read:
- 10 Portuguese Water Dog Mixes (With Pictures)
- Male vs Female Portuguese Water Dog: The Differences (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Alessandra Sawick, Shutterstock
