General Appearance
Robust, well balanced, rectangular in outline, very strongly muscled on shoulders. Hard, penetrating and attentive expression.
Characteristics
Very intelligent and tremendously energetic ‘fisherman’s dog’ with great swimming and diving traits.
Temperament
Pleasant disposition, self-willed but very obedient to owner. Brave and tireless.
Head and Skull
Large, well proportioned, skull slightly longer than muzzle, well defined occiput. Muzzle tapers slightly. Forehead has central  furrow for two-thirds of length of head, frontal bones prominent. Nose wide, nostrils well open. Black in black, black and white, and white dogs, liver in brown, brown and white, and brown tones.
Eyes
Medium, round, set well apart. Black or dark brown with dark eye rims.
Ears
Heart shaped, dropped, thin, set well above eye level, held close to head, except at back. Tips not below neck line.
Mouth
Scissor bite, jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, strongly developed canines.
Neck
Short, straight, strongly muscled. Carried high, no mane or dewlap.
Forequarters
Straight, strong boned and well muscled. Shoulders muscular and well laid. Pasterns long and upright.
Body
Chest wide and deep, reaching to elbow. Ribs long, well sprung. Withers wide, not prominent. Back short, good tuck-up, croup only slightly inclined.
Hindquarters
Straight and very strongly muscled, well angulated, buttocks long and well curved, strong hock, metatarsals long, no dewclaws.
Feet
Round, rather flat, toes not too long or too knuckled up. Membrane reaching to tip of toes, covered with hair. Central pads very  thick.
Tail
Medium set, thick at base and tapering, length not below hock, carried in a ring, clipped, leaving plume at end.
Gait/Movement
Walking, lively short steps. A light trot and energetic gallop.
Coat
Profuse, covering whole body except under forelegs and thigh. Two distinct types, both without undercoats.
(a) Hair fairly long, loosely waved with slight sheen, hair on head erect, ears well feathered.
b. Hair short, fairly harsh and dense, compact curls, lacking lustre, head hair similar to body, hair on ears somewhat wavy.
Colour
Black, white, various shades of brown, black and white, brown and white. Skin bluish under black, white, and black and white dogs. Entire hindquarters clipped from the last rib, tail clipped two-thirds, one-third left long.
Size
Height: dogs: 50-57 cms (191/2-221/2 ins); bitches: 43-52 cms (17-201/2 ins). Weight: dogs: 19-25 kgs (42-55 lbs); bitches: 16-22 kgs (35-48 lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - March 1994

Standard of The Portuguese Water Dog (Interim)
(Reproduced by permission of the Kennel Club)