Working Group
Dogs of the Working Group were bred to perform such jobs as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues.
History
Portuguese Water Dogs may have descended from the dogs of the ancient Goths. They certainly share some characteristics with the modern Poodle. One of the first accounts of the Portuguese Water Dog appeared in 1297 in the writings of a monk describing a black dog with curly hair who saved a man from drowning. Early Portuguese Water Dogs worked on board ships, bravely jumping into the sea to assist with all manner of tasks.
In the 1930’s, a wealthy merchant named Vasco Bensaude took an interest in the Portuguese Water Dogs and began to breed them in earnest. A particularly prolific stud dog named Leao is particularly responsible for the modern lineage. From this point on, the breed became more and more popular in their native Portugal.
The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was formed in 1972, but at this point there were only 14 known examples of the breed in the United States. The pleasant temperament and intelligence of the breed helped it quickly grow in popularity, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) first recognized it in 1983.
