Visit the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America's Website, which is an excellent source of information about the breed. They have a section on breeders (not always up to date), but an e-mail to the National Breeder Coordinator, Sandy Overton, asking assistance to find a breeder near you will get you the information you're seeking. She stays in contact with Portie breeders all over the country and will know who has puppies available and when. Plus, she's very nice.

• How expensive are Portie pups?

The good news is that PWDs are becoming more popular every day. The bad news is that they are not widely available, thus, they can be pricey. Expect to pay at least $1400 for a pup, and as much as $2000 for a "show quality" prospect. Prices will vary from region to region and from dog to dog.
Breeders do differentiate between "pet quality" and "show quality" pups and price them accordingly. If you're simply looking for a pet to join your family, I doubt very much if you will notice any significant difference between the "pet quality" and "show quality" dogs. Wizard is considered "pet quality." He's totally okay with that...us, too.
Virtually all Portuguese Water Dogs are "purebred," meaning the parents were winners at show. Point being...most PWDs come from very strong lineage and will grow up to be beautiful, healthy dogs.

• What about health? • Any specific problems?

Yes. Portuguese Water Dogs do have some specific health issues which you can learn more about at the PWDCA's website. However, all reputable breeders are aware of these potential concerns and routinely test their litters for them. Your breeder should be able to certify the health of your puppy. Porties are generally very healthy dogs!

• What about temperament?
• Are Porties good with kids, other dogs, cats, strangers?

How well your dog encounters the world around him depends entirely upon you. Puppies who are well socialized - taken lots of places to encounter lots of people, animals, and things - grow up to be very well adjusted dogs. If you have children in the family (or a cat), a puppy will adjust to that dynamic and do fine. The socialization of a puppy is so important, I cannot stress it enough.

• Should PWDs be "crate-trained?"

This is a matter of personal preference. Some people swear by having their dog in a crate at night. I've known dogs that really enjoy having that "personal spot" where they can get uninterrupted solitude in their crate. If you plan to travel with your dog, crate-training could be a necessity.
We did not crate-train Boomer & Rocky. They had the run of the house. At night, they slept in their own beds on the floor next to our bed. We allowed them on the furniture which is how we like to live. Your lifestyle might call for more "structure," and crate-training might be it. Just remember, your Portie will want to be near a family-member at night - not off sleeping by itself alone. Porties need to be with their people. Wizard was crate-trained for the first four months of his life. He has now left the crate and sleeps on the floor of our bedroom (sometimes on our bed, too) at night.

• Speaking of training...are Porties hard to train?

No. And yes. Portuguese Water Dogs are smart, which makes them good "learners," but often their "thinking" can delay the process.
Porties are pleasers. They want you to be happy with them, so they will do what you ask, if you are clear and consistent in your requests. Porties are also sensitive, meaning the most effective training for them is "praise-based." Lots of enthusiastic "Good Dog!!" and little treats will have a Portie sitting, staying, coming and anything else you want it to do on command.
Just remember - a dog of any breed needs obedience training. If you have never had or trained a dog before, get a book (there are hundreds of good ones); hire a trainer to come to your house and teach you how to work with your puppy. But, whatever you do - obedience train your dog. I'd bet 99% of all dog problems stem from a lack of obedience training. You want your dog to be well-behaved, friendly and under control, right? Then socialize it and train it. You and your dog will be so much happier if you do. And it's not hard. It's actually quite fun and a major "bonding" experience for you both!

• What about grooming, bathing, etc?

Since Porites do not shed, they need to have their coats trimmed every 6-8 weeks. We had Boomer & Rocky professionally clipped at the groomer's. She charges about $50 for each dog (remember this is Los Angeles). She bathes them, trims their nails, and cuts their hair.
In between trips to the groomer, we tried to brush our guys at least once a week or as necessary. Because we kept them trimmed in the "working cut" or "puppy cut," which is one-length-all-over, they were easy to maintain. They swam in our pool frequently and we simply dried them off afterwards. When they romped in the Pacific Ocean, we rinsed the salt water off them and, again, dried them off.
Boomer was "curly-coated" and Rocky was "wavy-coated," although it is difficult to see the difference in the pictures. The wavy coat takes slightly more maintenance as it is a little softer and thinner.

• Are they wild? • Do they need lots of exercise?

PWD pups have a reputation as being on the wild side. Having raised two from 8-weeks of age, let's just say that reputation is somewhat deserved.
All puppies are a little crazy - that's one of the reasons we love 'em. Porties are no different. Our guys tore around the backyard like squirrels when they were babies. Then they'd collapse into their blanket and sleep like logs. As they matured, they mellowed-out quite nicely. As adults, they were still active, but also content to relax with us on the couch at night...in other words, just like any other dog.
Boomer & Rocky used to get what we called "the rips" on occasion. When "the rips" arrive, the boys chased each other around the yard at full speed for no apparent reason. They were just letting off steam. It was very entertaining, especially for the uninitiated. Sometimes just one dog would do it and the other would watch. We never knew why.
Portuguese Water Dogs will want some kind of "action" on a regular basis, but it does not need to be anything out of the ordinary. We took Boomer & Rocky for a good walk at least 3 or 4 mornings a week. Wizard gets a couple of good walks a day - the younger dogs need more exercise. We try to have dog pals over to play in our backyard on weekends, too. Porties like exercise. They like going places with you.
PWDs will not be happy sitting alone in the yard for eight-hours-a-day while you are at work. You'll come home to munched-up flower-beds and lots of yard-holes, which is what any dog would do when it's bored. If you want a "yard dog," the PWD is not the best choice.

Then send me some e-mail. I don't promise to have all the answers, but I'll try my best to point you in the right direction.
Porties are wonderful, loving, funny, active, beautiful dogs that will become a part of your family like no dog you've ever had before. If you add one to your "pack," you'll wonder how you ever got along without one before!