Portuguese Water Dog vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison

Portuguese Water Dog vs Bernedoodle - Breed ComparisonPortuguese Water Dog is originated from Portugal but Bernedoodle is originated from Canada. Portuguese Water Dog may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Bernedoodle. Portuguese Water Dog may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Bernedoodle. Both Portuguese Water Dog and Bernedoodle has same life span. Both Portuguese Water Dog and Bernedoodle has almost same litter size. Portuguese Water Dog requires Low maintenance. But Bernedoodle requires Moderate maintenance

History

portuguese water dog - historyThe Portuguese Water Dog is a working dog hailing from the Portuguese region of the Algarve. The dog has always been a friend of the sea, working around fishing boats, loving his life around water.

He descends from dogs that have always been used by Portuguese fishermen, and its believed he has Poodle in him. Known also as the Cao de Agua, which means Dog of the Water, the Portie as he is also known, almost disappeared.

Their numbers dropped in the early 20th century, but a certain Vasco Bensuade saved the breed, forming a breed club, writing a breed standard.

They then also made their way to England and the United States. It was in 1972 that the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America formed. In 1983, the AKC recognized the dog as a distinct breed.

bernedoodle - historyThe Bernedoodle is a hybrid cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Standard Poodle. They have been around for many, many years but the first official” cross between the two breeds came from Sherry Rupke out of SwissRidge Kennels. The first Bernedoodle were achieved in 2003. She now has an entire breeding program for this hybrid.

A bernedoodle or a first generation is a cross between a purebred a purebred Poodle and a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog. This is a 50/50 mix. This mix is a very low shedding dog and though no dog is hypoallergenic, the Bernedoodle is as close as it gets. If the cross is true between two purebred dogs, the new breed will have the calm, sweet demeanor of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the intelligent, goofy, playfulness of the Poodle. At the same time the Bernedoodle is a hybrid so there will not be two exactly alike.

With purebred dogs you get a lot of consistency from one dog to another. Not so with the Bernedoodle. Each one will be a little different. Sometimes a hybrid dog can be healthier than their parents. Other times there can be health issues with hybrid. It is all about the breeder and if they breed for the right health traits.

If the breeder is conscientious enough the pup will have the best characteristics of both original breeds. Therefore, the Bernedoodle is happy, smart, playful, friendly and social. Sometimes the breeding doesn’t go as planned and you can end up with a Bernedoodle with the stubbornness of the Bernese or the hyper activity of the poodle. As a new cross breed, the Bernedoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club because it is a hybrid. They are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry, The American Canine Hybrid Club, The Designer Dogs Kennel Club.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Companion dog
Origin:
Portugal
Canada
Height Male:
43 - 57 cm
16 - 23 inches
31 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
Height Female:
43 - 57 cm
16 - 23 inches
28 - 40 cm
11 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
32 - 41 kg
70 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
30 - 39 kg
66 - 86 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
5 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
PWD, Water Dog, Portie
Bernese Mountain Poo • Bernesepoo • Bernesedoodle • Bernepoo
Colors Available:
black and white, or silver-tipped, Black, brown
black and white tri color sable, merle and phantom tri
Coat:
single coated - curly and wavy
wavy, thick, curly
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Docile, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Outgoing, Playful, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

portuguese water dog puppy - descriptionStanding at between 43 and 57cm in height and weighing in the region of 16 to 27kg, the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized, curly-coated dog.

It is believed that the dog is hypoallergenic. He does however shed, though not a lot. He just loves the water and is always ready to plunge in. One of the distinctive characteristics of this dog is its webbed feet.

Temparament:

The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent dog that will do well with training and socialization.

It won’t be troublesome training this dog as he is intelligent. They're also calm dogs. Referred to fondly as the Portie, this is a fun-loving dog, friendly and social, getting on well with all members of his human family.

These dogs get on well with children and other family pets. They can be reserved toward strangers, but this makes them good watchdogs.

bernedoodle puppy - descriptionSince the Bernedoodle is a hybrid and not an AKC recognized breed, there is no set-in stone breed standard. There are three sizes of Bernedoodles and at least three generations. All of these should be strong boned dogs with powerful and compact bodies. They have log ears, button eyes and a triangle shaped muzzle. The tail is long and bushy, and the coat is medium to long.

There is no standard color, but the most common color is black and white or tri like the Bernese Mountain Dog. They can also be black and brown, sable or merle. The coat is wavy or curly like the poodle.

Characteristics

portuguese water dog dog - characteristicsWith training, your Portie can make a splendid pet. He is also adaptable to different living situations, and is capable of living in the city or in the countryside, just so long as his exercise needs are met.

He is such an affectionate and loyal, fun-loving dog while also being hard working, and all these wonderful characteristics mean that he can be a treasured pet and companion.

bernedoodle dog - characteristicsThis is a very social dog that needs to be with people. If you don’t have a lot of time for a dog, then this is not the one for you. He is gentle, calm and affectionate. He is intelligent and sometimes stubborn. They need to be socialized early in life and they will be great with kids and other small animals. They tend to be very playful. Toys and minis have more energy, more stubbornness and more of the poodle divaness.

Health Problems

portuguese water dog puppies - health problemsPortuguese Water Dogs are generally healthy, but like most other dogs they are more prone to certain heath conditions, though your pet is unlikely to get any of them. Still it pays to know of some of the more complicated- and disabling ones.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is where the thighbone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Hip dysplasia spells pain for your dog and he may show lameness with one or both rear legs. Arthritis can develop too.

Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by allowing your dog to become obese and from injuries from leaping off your bed for instance.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):

This is a degenerative eye disorder that can lead to blindness, but fortunately it is detectable long before the dog shows signs of blindness.

Reputable breeders have the eyes of their dog certified each year by a veterinary ophthalmologist and they don’t allow the dogs to produce puppies.

bernedoodle puppies - health problemsBecause the breed is so new and bred pure so far, there is not a lot of information about their health or their life span. Even as they seem to have less issues than their parents – the Bernese cancer issue for example does not seem to plague the Bernedoodle. However, that does not mean they don’t have issues. They are still prone to some serious issues.

Skin issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, and eye issues are prevalent in this new breed. They have a tendency toward hot spots and sometimes allergies. Asks a reputable breeder if they have tested the parents and the puppies for dysplasia and eye issues.

Caring The Pet

portuguese water dog dogs - caringYour Portie is a dog that loves outdoor life and lots of exercise. Take him with you on your walks and give him a run off his leash. When he gets home, if you have a pool h’ll be the first to plunge right in. He makes a great pet to have at the sea too.

Provide him with plenty of nice chewy toys, balls and ropes so he doesn’t get bored.

Provide him with a nice, dry, warm sleeping area and don’t allow him to be disturbed when he retreats there.

Keep his vaccines up to date to prevent some life threatening illnesses.

Provide him with high quality food that has lots of vitamins and minerals instead of fillers, preservatives, colorants and toxins.

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods which can be convenient and good for your pet. Try and provide him with some tasty homemade food occasionally. Nothing spicy and exotic. Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, carrots, spinach and sweet potatoes chopped up and added twice week to the dry kibble is all your dog requires to keep him energetic happy, thankful, healthy and happy.

A little bit of raw meat added in from time to time will be superb. See that he always has access to clean, cool water.

Feeding

bernedoodle dogs - caringSince the Bernedoodle comes in three different sizes, there will be three different feeding regimens. No matter the size of your dog, feed them quality food twice a day. The standard is a big dog and should be fed as such but the toy and mini will eat a lot less. You can pretty much feed a standard Bernedoodle the same thing you feed a Bernese Mountain Dog. The Bernedoodle is a picky eater and you may have to change up their food at times to keep them interested.

Health issues

Again, these are healthy dogs because the cross breed is so young. There are not a lot of genetic issues. As mentioned previously hip dysplasia, eye issues, elbow dysplasia and skin issues are possible.

Exercise and games

This is a calm, not over active dog. They do not share the high energy level of the poodle but rather carry the calm, gentle energy of the Bernese. The toy and mini varieties tend to have a faster motor than the standard. They need daily walks no matter what their size is. They will need your attention regularly.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  3. Portuguese Water Dog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  4. Portuguese Water Dog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Portuguese Water Dog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Portuguese Water Dog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Portuguese Water Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  8. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  9. Portuguese Water Dog vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  10. Portuguese Water Dog vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Portuguese Water Dog vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. Portuguese Water Dog vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  13. Portuguese Water Dog vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  14. Portuguese Water Dog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  15. Portuguese Water Dog vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  16. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  17. Portuguese Water Dog vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  18. Portuguese Water Dog vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  19. Portuguese Water Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  20. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  21. Portuguese Water Dog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Portuguese Water Dog vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Portuguese Water Dog vs Jamthund - Breed Comparison
  24. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  26. Labradoodle vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  27. Mixed vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  28. Bernedoodle vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  29. Schnauzerdor vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Maso Mastiff vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  31. Pastor Garafiano vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  32. Shepard Labrador vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  33. Utonagan vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  34. Samoyed vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Cane Corso vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  36. Alaskan Malamute vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  37. Bullmastiff vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  38. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  39. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  40. Bloodhound vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  41. Great Pyrenees vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  42. Boerboel vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  43. Old English Sheepdog vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  44. Presa Canario vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  45. Labrador Husky vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  46. Perro de Presa Canario vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison
  47. Bernedoodle vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  48. Bernedoodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds