The Portuguese water dog – The fisherman’s companion down the centuries

One of the biggest pleasures about being stood on the shore of Portugal’s vast, varied and intensely beautiful coastline is watching the fishing boats gently bob up and down in the water. In fact fishing is a hugely popular pastime in the likes of the Algarve, where big game fishing is a major economic activity.

Perhaps a lesser known aspect of fishing in Portugal is that down the years Portuguese fishermen have been accompanied by a canine companion – the Portuguese water dog.

The Portuguese water dog is reputed to have been a breed of the Algarve but soon became widespread in Portugal. Throughout the centuries this loveable breed of dog went out fishing in the boats of the Portuguese fishermen to far away lands in Europe, landing on the shores in unknown territory such as Iceland.

There is evidence that this dog was used by the Portuguese fishermen in pre-Christian times but it is not until 1297 that the first person wrote about the loyal Portuguese water dog. A monk described how a drowning mariner was dragged out of the sea and saved by a black and white “Lion dog”, which is another description of the water dog because of their tendency to develop a mane – Many of which are still trimmed in this fashion today.

These dogs performed incredible and dangerous work at sea. They could retrieve lost fishing gear from the depths and act as courier between boats. The water dog’s principle task was to herd the fish into their masters’ nets and would then be rewarded with a share of the spoils.

During the 1930’s these dogs were nearly extinct but an extensive breeding programme led by a Portuguese shipping magnate put the breed back on track.

Today the Portuguese water dog is valued as an intelligent family pet, which is bred worldwide. In fact even Barack Obama owns a water dog. No doubt one of the President’s chief reasons for choosing “Bo” is because this breed of dog is so intelligent, loyal, and does not drop hair all over the White House!

So the next time you have the pleasure of being sat watching the fishing boats depart and arrive on Portugal’s fascinating coastline, cast a thought for the determined, hardworking and loyal Portuguese water dogs – One of Portugal’s most dependable assets.