The Portuguese water dog is prized for its strength, spirit, and soundness.

Portuguese water dogs have a coat that's black, white, or brown -- and waterproof, allowing them to swim all day long.

The profuse, curly coat requires regular maintenance and can be kept in the "lion" clip, with the hindquarters and muzzle clipped to the skin.

Porties are active and athletic and require vigorous daily exercise.

With their intelligence and good response to training, porties make ideal pets, and their hypoallergenic coat makes them particularly suited to those with allergies.