Portuguese Water Dog Growth Chart – PWD Size & Weight Chart
Size matters when it comes to owning a dog and a Portuguese Water Dog is not an exception.
If you own one, then you should keep a Portuguese Water Dog growth chart to help you monitor their growth and development throughout their different life stages.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog that weighs between 35 to 60 pounds with a height of around 17 to 23 inches.
Typically, males are heavier and larger than females. They are fully grown at the age of 18 and 20 months, both physically and mentally.
This article will provide you with more information about the growth of Portuguese Water Dogs, health issues that they are genetically predisposed, how to keep their weight healthy, and many more.
When Is A Portuguese Water Dog Fully Grown?
Are you wondering when your Portuguese Water Dog will be fully grown? Generally, PWDs reach their adult size when they are 18 months old.
However, some can take up to two years to fill out their weight. Keeping a Portuguese Water Dog weight chart as they grow will help you with this.
The growth rate of Portuguese Water Dogs slows down when they are at the adolescent phase which is the 6-month-old mark.
From here, they gain muscle mass and weight to fill out their body. They reach their sexual maturity at the age of between 9 and 10 months.
Portuguese Water Dogs take longer to mentally mature compared to other breeds and their development is not sudden but gradual.
They are socially and mentally mature at the age of 20 months, though some dogs retain their puppylike behavior longer than others.
Portuguese Water Dog Size Chart
Monitoring the weight of your Portuguese Water Dog is very crucial in ensuring that they remain healthy because abnormal weight can lead to health issues such as diabetes, joint problems, and obesity.
The weight of your puppy can be affected by various factors such as genetics, health, diet, and physical activity.
If your dog is not given the right amount of exercise and fed more food than they need, they can easily put on excess weight.
Therefore, regular exercise and scheduled mealtimes are recommended to ensure that their weight is ideal for their age.
At 3 months, a Portuguese Water Dog should weigh around 15 pounds, at 6 months they should weigh around 30 pounds, at 9 months they should weigh about 40 pounds. As adults, PWD should weigh between 40 to 60 pounds.
Portuguese Water Dog Weight Chart
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 42 - 60 lbs | 35 - 50 lbs |
| Height | 20 - 23 inch | 17 - 21 inch |
| Full Grown | 12 - 14 months | 12 - 14 months |
Portuguese Water Dog Growth Chart – What To Expect
Knowing what to expect as your Portuguese Water Dog grows will help you get prepared. The following explains the different growth stages of PWD:
Birth – 2 Weeks
This is known as the neonatal period. At this stage, the puppy’s ears and eyes are closed meaning they cannot hear or see. They spend most of their time sleeping and eating.
Their source of food is their mother’s milk as it contains all the necessary nutrients they need at this stage of growth.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
During week 3, the puppy’s ears and eyes begin to open, and they will try to start crawling, standing, and walking.
At four weeks, the weaning process begins, and the puppy is fed a mix of puppy food and water, but they are still feeding on their mother.
At 2 months, the puppy is ready to transition to their new home and training can begin so that they can learn how to socialize with other people and dogs properly.
They can also be transitioned to solid foods. Typically, vaccinations are also given at this stage.
4 Months – 9 Months
At this stage, your puppy reaches the adolescent phase, and you should expect a lot of behavioral changes including disobedience, fear, stubbornness, and increased energy.
This is also the phase where your dog shows their dominance and confidence. More training on socialization and obedience is required at this phase so that your puppy grows knowing you are the leader.
10 Months – 18 Months
This is the period where your dog reaches their sexual maturity making it the right time to spay or neuter them. This is also the time to change their food from puppy food to adult food.
The process should be done slowly to avoid causing stomach issues in your dog such as diarrhea and vomiting. Speak to your vet o advise you on the best dog food to give your Portuguese Water Dog.
Adult
At 18 months, your dog reaches their adult weight, height, and size. They also begin to settle down and are not as energetic as they were as puppies.
However, you should keep exercising your puppy to ensure that they maintain a healthy weight. Also, monitor the amount of food they are eating and visit the vet regularly to ensure that their health is good.
How Big Do Portuguese Water Dogs Get?
Once you adopt a Portuguese Water Dog, you may be wondering how big they will get as adults. You can predict your dog’s adult size by looking at their parents, paws, and doing a DNA test.
The size of the parents is a clear indication of the adult size of your dog because physical traits are passed down from parents to puppies.
Some puppies take the size of their mother while others take the size of their father. Sometimes, the average size of the parents is your puppy’s adult size.
Another way to predict your puppy’s adult size is to look at their paws. If they are unusually small, then your puppy’s growth is finished and most likely they have reached their adult size.
If they are unusually large, then your puppy needs to fill out their body to match the paws, meaning they will be bigger.
On average, an adult male Portuguese Water Dog weighs between 42 and 60 pounds with a height of around 20 to 23 inches while their female counterpart weighs between 35 to 50 pounds with a height of around 17 to 21 inches.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Portuguese Water Dog Affect His Growth?
Neutering and spaying are surgical procedures that involve the removal of reproductive organs in dogs, testis for males and ovaries, and uterus for females respectively.
The best age to neuter or spay your Portuguese Water Dog is different from other breeds because they are mature slowly.
Most breeders recommend that you spay or neuter your PWD when they reach the age of at least one year. This allows the growth plates to close and for your dog to achieve full muscle development.
If these procedures are done too early, your dog’s growth can be affected, and they can grow taller than they should.
When you neuter your male dog, they will be less inclined to roam around and mark territories, and their risk for testicular cancer is reduced.
Spaying your female dog stops their heat cycle which stops male dogs from camping outside your doorstep.
Spaying also reduces the risk of pyometra, infection in the uterus, and prevents pregnancy.
Portuguese Water Dog Height Chart
It is important to know your dog’s height for various reasons. First, the measurements will help you buy the right harness and clothing for your dog.
Secondly, you will use your dog’s height when buying a kennel door, and finally, if your dog participates in shows, you will be required to provide their height.
To find out your dog’s height, you need a flat ground and a measuring tape. Let your dog stand still and straight on the ground and if they cannot have someone hold them.
The next step is to find their withers which is the highest point between their shoulder blades and below the base of the neck.
Take the tape and measure from the ground to the withers, this is your puppy’s height.
Generally, the height of a male Portuguese Water Dog is between 20 and 23 inches while that of their female counterparts is between 17 and 21 inches.
Bernedoodle Vs Portuguese water dog Size
The Portuguese water dog is a medium-size dog while the Bernedoodle has small, medium and large sizes depending on the parent breeds.
Bernedoodle has three different sizes because of the Poodle parent which can be tiny, miniature, and standard. Tiny Bernedoodle has a height of 12 to 17 inches and weighs about 10 to 24 pounds.
The Miniature Bernedoodle stands tall at 18 to 22 inches and weighs about 23 to 29 pounds. A standard Bernedoodle stands between 23 to 29 inches and weighs 70 to 90 pounds. Bernedoodle males are larger than females.
The male Portuguese water dog goes to a height of 20 to 23 inches at their shoulders and weighs 42 to 60 pounds.
The female Portuguese water dog has a height of about 17 to 21 inches weighing between 35 to 50 pounds.
Factors That Affect Portuguese water dog Growth
Genetics And Gender
Genetics play a role in the growth of your Portuguese water dog. You get to know the size your puppy will grow by looking at the parents.
Learn about the parents of your puppy to understand any underlying genetic conditions that your puppy may inherit.
Gender is also another factor to consider, as male Portuguese Water Dogs are heavier and taller than females.
Nutrition
Your Portuguese water dog diet can affect their health, therefore, feed them highly nutritious food.
To avoid bloating, spread out their food between two meals when they are adults. Look at the ingredients to ensure that real meat is their source of protein.
If you prepare your dog’s meal at home, include all the nutrients that they need. You can also supplement with minerals and vitamins with the guide of your vet.
Breeders recommend a grain-free diet to your Portuguese Water Dog because corn, oats, and wheat can cause problems.
Fish is also good for these dogs because they were initially fed fish. Avoid any chemical preservatives to avoid allergies and stomach sensitivities.
Physical Activity and Health
The Portuguese Water Dog was originally used for fishing, they do not lazy around, therefore, need a good amount of exercise.
They require 40 minutes of exercise daily because they can be disobedient or destructive if they are bored.
These dogs love being in the water, hence highly recommended for people having a swimming pool or living near the ocean.
They also love being outside, therefore, they can accompany you on a hike, bike ride, or jog.
It is also good to stimulate their minds, so having them participate in agility competitions will help them have an outlet for their intelligence and energy.
What If My Portuguese Water Dog Is Not the Right Weight?
If your Portuguese Water Dog is not the right weight, it means that they are either underweight or overweight.
The common problems caused by obesity are joint and back problems, breathing difficulty, and heart diseases. It is important to give your dog a healthy diet.
Give your dog food rich in proteins and ensure they get supplements for vitamins and minerals.
Monitor their meal schedule and avoid overfeeding or keeping them hungry for a longer time. It will keep their metabolism in check.
Most importantly, consult with your veterinarian to get correct guidance on how to help your dog lose or gain weight.
Portuguese Water Dog Genetics and Common Health Problems
Dental Disease is a chronic disease and is common to most dogs. Portuguese Water Dog like other dogs is likely to develop dental problems. Tartar builds up and progresses to cause infection of the teeth.
Infections – Portuguese Water Dogs are susceptible to viral and bacterial infections that can be prevented through vaccination recommended based on diseases in your area or age.
Obesity can be a health problem with this breed. Obesity may cause metabolic and digestive disorders, joint problems, back pain, and heart diseases.
Hypoadrenocorticism is an endocrine system disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones for the normal functioning of the body. This condition can be fatal if left untreated. There is a specialized timed blood test to check this condition.
Bone and joint problems – these musculoskeletal problems can be diagnosed and treated to prevent the dog from pain or suffering.
Prognathism (underbite) affects the Portuguese water dog more than other dogs. It is a condition where the lower jaw sticks out further than the upper jaw.
This condition does not require treatment but if the teeth positioned abnormally cause a dig in the mouth, it can cause pain. Orthodontics or extraction work may be needed.
Final Words
Portuguese Water Dogs are high-spirited, eager to please, and highly intelligent dogs known to have their minds.
To get the best out of this dog, you should be a committed owner especially when it comes to consistent training to keep them stimulated.
This breed is an active dog, and you should meet their exercise requirements and high energy otherwise they can be destructive. Committing to a regular exercise schedule will keep your dog healthy and happy.
