[2] In Portuguese, the breed is called cão de água (IPA: [ˈkɐ̃w dɨ ˈaɣwɐ]; literally 'dog of water').

The Portuguese Water Dog was the chosen breed of US President Barack Obama, who had two of them, Bo and Sunny.

[6] The Obama family chose Sunny for the breed's comparatively hypoallergenic nature, while Bo was given to them by Senator Ted Kennedy.

Like Poodles and several other water dog breeds, PWDs are intelligent, can have curly coats, have webbed toes for swimming, and do not shed.

[8] However, Portuguese Water Dogs are more robustly built, with stout legs, and can have a wavy coat instead of tightly curled.

The Portuguese Water Dog is off-square, slightly longer than tall when measured from prosternum to rearmost point of the buttocks, and from withers to ground.

[9] PWDs have a single-layered coat that does not shed[10] (see Moult), and therefore their presence is tolerated well among many people who suffer from dog allergies.

The lion cut diminished the initial shock of cold water when jumping from boats, as well as providing warmth to the vitals.

They tend to be quiet dogs although they will warn when the home is approached, and they will communicate their desires vocally and behaviorally to their owner.

They may engage in "expressive panting", by making a distinct "ha-ha-ha-ha" sound as an invitation to play or to indicate a desire for nearby food.

[13] The PWD's biddability, high intelligence, and tendency to vocalise and then seek out its human master when specific alarms occur make it an ideal hearing-ear or deaf-assistance dog.

PWDs can be readily trained to bark loudly when a telephone rings, and then to find and alert a hard-of-hearing or deaf master.

[13] Portuguese Water dogs are loving, independent, and intelligent and are easily trained in obedience and agility skills.

[13] Because they are working dogs, PWDs are generally content in being at their master's side, awaiting directions, and, if they are trained, they are willing and able to follow complex commands.

In any case, the modern PWD, whether employed on a boat or kept as a pet or a working dog, loves water and attention and prefers to be engaged in activity within sight of a human partner.

[17] She worked with dogs from both the Cintron and Cabral lineages to establish a stable genetic pool of PWDs in the US at her Farmion kennels.

Owing to the limited gene pool for this breed, conscientious breeders carefully study pedigrees and select dogs to minimize the chance of genetic disease and improper coat.

[18] However, the risk of a PWD developing hip dysplasia can be greatly reduced by thoroughly checking the pedigrees and health clearances in both the sire and dam of the dog.

[citation needed] GM1 storage disease, one of a family of conditions called GM1 gangliosidoses, is a recessive, genetic disorder that is inevitably fatal.

The affected puppy will show clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction including ataxia, tremors, paresis, and seizures.

The signs and symptoms include a 12- to 48-hour onset of loss of appetite, decreased energy level, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

[20] Breeders now have a DNA gene-based test, based on a cheek swab or a blood sample, which will determine if a dog is a carrier of the gene for juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy.