Amiavie

There is the text for the breed standard, from the Canadian Kennel Club. For a complete version of that text, please go to the web site of the CKC, www.ckc.ca.

General Appearance

The Portuguese Water Dog is defined by his job. He has a hard, penetrating and attentive expression, splendid sight and a fair nose. Slightly longer than tall, he is a medium-sized, sturdy, athletic swimming dog with webbed feet, short neck, and a wavy or curly coat to protect him from the elements, whether in the water or on land. From his impressive head with piercing gaze through a rugged body to his powerful tail carried up in a ring with its characteristic flowing flag, he presents an indelible impression of strength, spirit and soundness.

Head

Well proportioned and massive. Skull: Seen in profile it is slightly longer than the muzzle, its curvature more accentuated at the back than in front and it possesses a well defined occiput. From the front the parietal bones are seen to be dome-shaped and to have a slight depression in the middle. The forehead has a central furrow for two thirds of the length of the parietals and the frontal bones are prominent. Muzzle: Is narrower at the nose than at its base. The stop, which is well defined, is slightly further back the inner corner of the eyes. Nose: Wide. Nostrils well open and finely pigmented. Black, in animals with black, black and white or white coats. In browns the nose is of the same colour as the coat. Lips: Thick, especially in front. Inner corner of lips not apparent. Mucous membrane (roof of mouth, under the tongue and gums) well ticked with black or quite black. Jaws: Strong and neither over nor undershot. Teeth: Not apparent. Canines strongly developed. Eyes: Medium sized, set well apart and a bit obliquely, roundish and neither prominent nor sunken. Brown or black in colour. The eyelids, which are of fine texture have black edges. No haw.

Ears

Leather heart-shaped, thin in texture and set well above the line of the eyes. Except for a small opening at the back, the ears are held nicely against the head. The tips should not reach below the beginning of the neck.

Neck

Straight, short, nicely rounded and held high. Strongly muscled. No mane and no dewlap.

Brisket

Wide and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs long and well sprung. Withers: Wide and not prominent. Back: Short and nicely joined to the croup. Abdomen: Held well up in a graceful line. Croup: Well formed and only slightly inclined with hips hardly apparent.

Tail

Not docked, thick at the base and tapering; medium setting. It should not reach down below the hock. When the dog is attentive the tail should be held in a ring, the front of which should not reach beyond the line of the kidneys. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.

Forelegs

Strong and straight. Shoulder: Well inclined and very strongly muscled. Upper Arm: Strong and of regular length, parallel to the medial body line. Forearm: Long and strongly muscled. Knee: Heavy boned, wider in front than at the side. Pastern: Long and strong.

Fore Feet

Round and rather flat. Toes not too knuckled up and not too long. The membrane between the toes, which reaches the lip of these, is of soft skin, well covered with hair. Black nails are preferred but whites, browns and striped are allowed according to the colour of the coat. Nails held up slightly off the ground. Central pad very thick, others normal.

Hind Legs

Straight and very strongly muscled. Thigh: Strong and of regular length. Very strongly muscled. Thigh bone parallel to the medial bodyline. Second Thigh: Long and strongly muscled, parallel the medial body line. Decidedly inclined from front to back. All the tendons well developed. Buttocks: Long and well curved.

Hock

Strong.

Metatarsus

Long. No dewclaws.

Hind Feet

Similar, in all respects, to the fore feet.

Position of Legs

Regular. It is admissible for the front legs to be held so that feet are slightly in front of the perpendicular and the back legs, from the hock downwards, also a bit forward.

Gait

First and foremost a working dog, the Portuguese Water Dog’s trotting gait should be effortless, balanced and sound. He should display a proud carriage and a light, happy attitude with the tail carried high in ring over the back. He should be gaited at a moderate speed . There should be good reach and strong drive with a level topline. At increased speed there will be tendency to converge. Movement from front and rear will be clean and true. The walking gait is light with short steps and the gallop energetic.

Coat and Colour

Profuse coat, of strong hair, covering the whole body evenly, except for the under-arms and groin where it is thinner.

1. The hair is fairly long, wavy, rather loose with a slight sheen. The hair on the top of the head is upright and that on the ears decidedly longer than the leather.

2. The hair is shorter, forms compact cylindrical curls, thickly planted and somewhat lusterless. On the top of the head the hair is similar to that of the rest of the coat. Whereas that on the ears is sometimes wavy.

Colours are black, white and various tones of brown; also combinations of black, or brown with white. A white coat does not imply albinism provided nose, mouth and eyelids are black. In animals with black, white or black and white coats, the skin is decidedly bluish. There is no undercoat.

Lion Clip

The middle part and hind quarters, as well as the muzzle, must be clipped. The rest of the coat must be left long. The hair on the end of the tail must be left at full length.

Retriever Clip

The entire coat is scissored or clipped to follow the outline of the dog leaving a short blanket of coat appearing no more than one inch in length. The hair on the end of the tail must be left at full length. Hair on the ears is trimmed to the leathers.

No discrimination will be made against the correct presentation of a dog in either Lion Clip or Retriever Clip.

Size

Height

Males between 19.5 inches and 22.5 inches (50-57 cm) the ideal being 21.5 inches (54 cm)

Females between 16.5 inches and 20.5 inches (43-52 cm) the ideal being 18 inches (46cm)

Weight

Males between 42 and 60 pounds (19-25 kilos) Females between 35 and 50 pounds (16-22 kilos)

Faults

Any deviation from the described ideal is a fault. Major Faults are those deviations that interfere with the performance of the dog’s traditional job and which therefore cannot be overlooked.

Disqualifications

  • Colour other than those mentioned
  • Coat other than those mentioned
  • Over or undershot jaws
  • Over or under height
  • Flesh-coloured or discoloured nose

Conception: Marjorie Beausoleil

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