Labrador Retriever vs Portuguese Water Dog
Compare two breeds
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Labrador Retriever
The breed's ancestors worked the icy waters off Newfoundland, hauling fishing nets and retrieving anything that fell overboard, before English sportsmen refined the type into the Labrador Retriever we know today. That original job explains almost everything about the dog: the short, dense coat sheds water rather than soaking it up, and an adult male can reach 36 kilograms of dense muscle built for swimming, not sprinting. Labradors were bred to carry things in their mouths without damaging them, so a soft-mouthed retrieve instinct shows up even in dogs that never see a bird, usually aimed at a shoe or a sock instead. Food motivation runs unusually high in this breed, which makes it easy to train and just as easy to overfeed. The coat blows out twice a year in dense clumps, on top of a steady year-round shed. Labradors were the UK's registered top breed for three decades running, so most vets and trainers have seen dozens of them. They tend to stay puppyish in temperament well past physical maturity, which is part of the appeal and part of why a young one can be a handful indoors. Average lifespan sits at 10 to 14 years.
Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese fishermen used this dog to help with work at sea: carrying messages between boats, herding fish into nets, and retrieving anything that fell overboard. The curly or wavy single coat, with no undercoat, functions much like a poodle's, repels water and sheds very little, which is why the breed is often cited among the more allergy friendly options. A male can weigh up to 25 kilograms of muscular, swimming built frame with webbed feet. The breed came close to extinction as motorized boats replaced sailing vessels and fishermen no longer needed its help, but it was revived in the mid 20th century by dedicated breeders, including a Portuguese businessman. High energy and intelligence mean it needs consistent engagement. Life expectancy runs 11 to 13 years.
At a glance
| Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 56.0–57.0 cm | 50.0–57.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 29.0–36.0 kg | 19.0–25.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–14 yrs | 11–13 yrs |
| Coat | short, dense, water-resistant double coat | profuse, curly or wavy single coat, no undercoat |
Temperament & Family Life
| Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.