10 Portuguese Water Dog Mixes (With Pictures)
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Purebred Portuguese Water Dogs are a great breed, but they can be a lot to handle. Fortunately, there are plenty of Portuguese Water Dog hybrids that are the perfect blend of their purebred parent’s intelligence, loyalty, and charm, combined with key traits of other dog breeds to give them the best of two worlds. Portuguese Water Dog mixes are excellent family pets and companions. Whether you’re an active individual looking for a running buddy or a laid-back homeowner in search of a cuddle buddy, there’s a Portuguese Water Dog mix that’s perfect for you. In this piece, we’ll be exploring the top 10 Portuguese Water Dog mixes and their unique personalities.
1. Portidoodle
| Personality/Temperament: | Intelligent, easy to train, and affectionate with their families |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Require daily exercise, such as walks or runs, and mental stimulation, such as obedience training or puzzle toys. |
The Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog mix, also known as a Portidoodle, is actually a popular hybrid breed that combines the intelligence, trainability, and sometimes the coat, of the Poodle with the loyalty and charm of the Portuguese Water Dog – making these dogs great for families and active adults. So, if you’re looking for a dog that’s friendly, easy to train, and highly intelligent, here is a mix to consider.
2. Portilab
| Personality/Temperament: | Friendly, outgoing, love to swim, and love to please their owners |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Require daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as obedience training or agility classes. |
The Portilab is a friendly and affectionate hybrid breed that combines the intelligence and trainability of the Labrador Retriever with the loyalty and charm of the Portuguese Water Dog. The Portilab is a medium to larger sized dog that is loyal and always seeking the approval of its owner. These friendly dogs may require a bit of grooming depending on the traits and heritage from their parents, and their coats may be long and wavy. They love to swim, but they’re also easy to train (especially when pups) and make great family pets.
3. Golden Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Loyal, friendly, active, and affectionate with their families |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Need daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as puzzles, retrieval games and/or obedience training. |
The Golden Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog mix is also known as a Golden Water Dog. Now here is a loving and loyal mixed breed that combines the intelligence and trainability of the Retriever with the charm and athleticism of the Portuguese Water Dog. This mix is a medium size dog that is active and requires plenty of mental exercise to keep them happy. These dogs go great with families and do really well with children. They’re coats may be black, brown, or tanned and they usually have longer, somewhat wavy coats.
4. Porti-Cocker
| Personality/Temperament: | Friendly, outgoing, and make excellent family pets |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Need daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as obedience training or interactive toys. |
The Cocker Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog mix is also known as a Porti-Cocker. They are a friendly and affectionate hybrid breed that combines the loyalty and feistiness of the Cocker Spaniel with the intelligence and trainability of the Portuguese Water Dog. These dogs can be on the smaller side, though some are medium in size. Their coat color and texture will range in color, but the coat is typically long and a bit wavy and comes in shades of brown, rust, or black.
5. Aussie Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Active, intelligent, and love to work |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Need about an hour daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as obedience training, herding trials, or agility classes. |
The Aussie Water Dog is an energetic and intelligent hybrid breed that combines the athleticism and herding instincts of the Australian Shepherd with the loyalty and charm of the Portuguese Water Dog. Aussie Water Dogs are typically medium to large-sized dogs with thick, wavy coats that require regular grooming.
6. Border Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Bright, active, and love to work |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Need daily activity and mental stimulation, such as obedience training, herding trials, or agility classes. |
The Border Water Dog is an intelligent and active hybrid breed that combines the herding instincts and trainability of the Border Collie with the loyalty and charm of the Portuguese Water Dog. Border Water Dogs are friendly, active, and love to be around families and children. Their coats may range in color from black, white, bi-color, and tan. They are medium to low shedders and do well with obedience training.
7. Bernese Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Gentle, loving, and loyal with their families |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Need daily exercise and mental stimulation, like obedience training, hiking, or swimming. |
This mix is a friendly and loyal dog that combines the gentle nature and loyalty of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the athleticism and charm of the Portuguese Water Dog. These pups are typically larger dogs with long and wavy coats and may range in color from bi-colored, black, to brown and cream. Their coats may be wavy or straight and may have been depending on the dog.
8. Husky Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Active, athletic, and love to work |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Provide with daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as obedience training, hiking, or running. |
This mixed breed is an active and athletic hybrid dog that combines the endurance and athleticism of the Siberian Husky with the charm and intelligence of the Portuguese Water Dog. Husky Water Dogs are typically medium-sized dogs with thick, wavy coats. They are known to shed quite a bit depending on the dog and the traits that it inherited from its parents – some mixes may shed less.
9. Boxer Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Super-friendly, outgoing, and make excellent family pets |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Require daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as obedience training or interactive toys and puzzles. |
And then there’s the Boxer mix. The Boxer Water Dog is a really friendly and affectionate hybrid breed that combines the loyalty and charm of the Boxer with the intelligence and trainability of the Portuguese Water Dog. Boxer Water Dogs are typically medium to large-sized dogs with short, smooth coats that are usually black, tan, rust, or bi-colored.
10. American Bull Water Dog
| Personality/Temperament: | Loyal, protective, and make excellent guard dogs |
| Exercise & Training Needs: | Provide daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as obedience training or protection work. |
This strong mix-breed has the strength and athleticism of the American Bulldog with the charm and intelligence of the Portuguese Water Dog. They are typically medium to large-sized dogs with short, smooth coats that require less grooming than many other mixes.
Health Concerns to Watch Out for in Portuguese Water Dog Mixes
Mixed breed dogs are a popular choice for many pet owners due to the unique characteristics and traits they possess. However, like all dogs, Water Dog mixes are susceptible to various health ailments that can affect their quality of life. Some common health problems that mixed breed dogs may experience include hip dysplasia, allergies, and dental issues.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common ailment that affects many mixed breed dogs, particularly larger breeds. It’s a condition where the ball and socket joint in the hip do not fit together correctly, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include difficulty standing up or climbing stairs, limping, and reluctance to exercise.
Allergies
Allergies are another common health problem that can affect mixed breed dogs. Allergies may be caused by various factors, including food, pollen, dust, and fleas. Symptoms of allergies in dogs can include itching, redness, swelling of the skin, ear infections, and respiratory issues.
Dental Issues
Dental problems are also prevalent in mixed breed dogs, particularly those with smaller mouths. Poor dental hygiene can lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar, which can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. Symptoms of dental problems in dogs can include difficulty chewing, bleeding gums, and loose or missing teeth.
While these health problems can be concerning, the good news is that many of them are preventable or treatable. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and proper grooming can help prevent hip dysplasia and dental problems. Allergies can be managed through medication, allergy shots, or changes in diet or environment.
To sum things up, mixed breed dogs are prone to various health ailments due to their genetics. These ailments can impact their quality of life if attention is not given to them and they are allowed to linger. But by taking proactive measures to prevent and treat these health issues, you can help ensure your Water Dog mix lives a healthy life.
Finding a Reputable Breeder or Rescue Organization
When looking for a Portuguese Water Dog mix, it’s essential to work with a reputable breeder or rescue organization. A reputable breeder will health test their dogs, provide documentation of their health clearances, and offer support and guidance throughout your dog’s life.
Rescue organizations can also be a great option for finding a Portuguese Water Dog mix. Many rescue organizations specialize in the breed and can provide information on the dog’s temperament and health history.
Wrapping Things Up
Portuguese Water Dog mixes are intelligent, loyal, and charming dogs that make excellent family pets and companions. Whether you’re an active individual looking for a running buddy or a laid-back homeowner in search of a cuddle buddy, there’s a Portuguese Water Dog mix that’s perfect for you.
Before bringing a Portuguese Water Dog mix into your home, it’s essential to research the breed, their exercise and grooming needs, and potential health concerns. Working with a reputable breeder or rescue organization can help ensure you find the perfect furry companion to fit your lifestyle and needs.
Featured Image Credit: blrz, Shutterstock
