Portuguese Water Dog
The dog of Presidents — and Portuguese fishermen. Bo and Sunny Obama made this breed famous, but their true heritage is far saltier: herding fish into nets, retrieving lost tackle, and carrying messages between ships. Complete guide: those webbed feet, the lion clip vs retriever clip, and why the Obamas chose this breed (Malia's allergies).
📋 Breed Overview
📑 TOC
🇵🇹 History — The Fisherman's First Mate
The Portuguese Water Dog (Cão de Água Português) was the essential crew member on Portuguese fishing boats from the Algarve coast for centuries. Their job: herd fish into nets, retrieve broken nets and lost tackle from the water, and carry messages between boats and shore. They worked in the cold Atlantic — their webbed feet, waterproof coat, and powerful swimming made them irreplaceable. When fishing technology modernized in the 1960s, the breed nearly went extinct. Wealthy American breeder Deyanne Miller saved the breed, establishing the foundation stock in the US. Rank #43 AKC (2025).
🏛️ Bo & Sunny — The White House PWDs
In 2009, the Obamas chose a PWD as the First Dog because Malia Obama had allergies and PWDs are hypoallergenic. Senator Ted Kennedy (who owned PWDs) gifted Bo to the family. Sunny joined in 2013. The Obamas' choice catapulted the breed from obscurity to international fame — registrations surged, prices doubled, and the breed entered mainstream consciousness. Bo lived to 12 and died in 2021, deeply mourned. Unlike many "celebrity dogs," the PWD genuinely is a good family breed — IF you can meet its exercise needs.
✂️ Lion Clip vs Retriever Clip
The PWD has two traditional haircuts: the Lion Clip (hindquarters shaved, leaving a tuft on the tail — functional for swimming, keeps the rear free while protecting vital organs) and the Retriever Clip (all-over scissored to 1 inch). Both require professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. The coat is single (no undercoat), curly or wavy, and hypoallergenic with very low shedding. Brush 2-3× weekly.
⚕️ Health
- GM1 Gangliosidosis: Fatal recessive neurological disease — DNA test available, carriers are common
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA): DNA test available
- Hip Dysplasia: OFA screening recommended
- Addison's Disease: Adrenal insufficiency — above-average rate in PWDs
- Cardiomyopathy: Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy — rare but devastating
💰 Cost Breakdown
💡 Fun Facts
Presidential transport: Bo and Sunny Obama were the most famous dogs in America during the Obama administration. Bo traveled on Air Force One and Marine One, was featured in White House Christmas specials, and had his own children's book.
Webbed feet: PWDs have fully webbed toes — like a Labrador's, but more pronounced. These aren't just for swimming; they also help them walk on muddy riverbanks and rocky shores.
Coworkers, not pets: Portuguese fishermen considered PWDs crew members, not pets. Each dog had a designated fisherman it worked with, and they were treated with the respect given to any skilled worker — paid in fish, of course.
Lion clip = functional: The traditional lion clip wasn't fashion — it was thermal protection. Shaved hindquarters reduced drag while swimming, while the chest and joint fur kept the heart and major organs warm in cold Atlantic water.