Talbot vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison

Talbot is originated from France but Portuguese Water Dog is originated from Portugal. Talbot may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than Portuguese Water Dog. Talbot may weigh 23 kg / 51 pounds more than Portuguese Water Dog. Talbot may live 3 years less than Portuguese Water Dog. Both Talbot and Portuguese Water Dog has almost same litter size. Both Talbot and Portuguese Water Dog requires Low maintenance.

History

Known as the Talbot Hound, nobody really seems to have accurate records as to the origins of the Talbot dog breed but it seems to have originated in France.

It is believed that the Talbot, with his excellent nose, was a hunting dog, but he is now extinct.

It is thought that the dog descends from the beagle and the bloodhound. It came to England in 1066 and vanished towards the end of the 18th century.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
Origin:
France
Portugal
Height Male:
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
43 - 57 cm
16 - 23 inches
Height Female:
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
43 - 57 cm
16 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
36 - 50 kg
79 - 111 pounds
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
36 - 50 kg
79 - 111 pounds
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 10
5 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Talbot Hound
PWD, Water Dog, Portie
Colors Available:
White
black and white, or silver-tipped, Black, brown
Coat:
Short and smooth
single coated - curly and wavy
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

The Talbot hound was a large, white purebred dog. He stood at roughly 58 to 69cm and weighed between 36 and 50kg.

He had a large head and a short, smooth, coarse pure white coat. He has a long tail which he held upright and fairly long floppy ears. He was a slow but efficient scenthound.

Temperament:

It is believed that this strong, hard working dog was gentle, loving and loyal and that he would have made an excellent family pet.

They were the kind of dogs that needed lots of social interaction with his human family. His amicable nature would have meant him getting on well with children and other dogs.

Slow, it’s a dog that had low intelligence and he may have taken a long time to learn any simple tricks or commands. If he were around today he wouldn’t have been suited to city living as he was a vocal breed – having quite a selection of barks and howls to voice his opinion.

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.

Characteristics

The Talbot is extinct, but he was no doubt a docile, calm kind of dog that would have made a great family pet.

He would have been an ideal dog for first time dog owners too as he was a gentle, affectionate dog.They were tough, protective, stubborn but loving and loyal, and more’s the pity that this dog has disappeared.

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.

Health Problems

Nobody can say what the health status of the Talbot dog was, but being a hunting dog, out in the open and getting plenty of exercise, he was no doubt a healthy dog. But all dogs can fall ill at some time or another with any one of the many dog illnesses there are -

Ear Infections:

Ear infections in dogs are quite common, but more so with dogs that have floppy ears.

You’ll see your pet scratching and pawing at his ears and shaking his head. There will in all likelihood be redness in your pets ears and you may even detect an abnormal odor.

There are quite a few things that can cause these ear infections in dogs such as ear mites, an excess of dirt and wax and bacteria.

Don’t allow your pet to suffer – get him to the vet. Your veterinarian will also show you how you can clean the ear for future times with a gentle cleanser. You have to be so careful not to rupture the ear drum, and some people prefer to get their vet to do this or professional groomers.

Ectropion - eyelid abnormalities:

The Talbot could have suffered with ectropion – when the lower lids are turned out. Ectropion disrupts the function of the lower lid so that it can't protect the eye, and there is abrasion of the surface of the eye.

This condition can also bring on conjunctivitis. Get your pet to the vet for treatment and relief.

The lifespan of the Talbot was anything from 9 to 12 years of age, and one or two other health problems that could have shortened his life were dermatitis, cancer, hip dysplasia and eye infections.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

The Talbot with his short hair would have been looked upon as a low maintenance breed and would have required a brush now and again.

Because of the floppy ears, they would have needed to be checked inside for infection.

Diet:

The Talbot was a strong, hard-working kind of dog so if commercially manufactured dog food was available in that time, you would have ensured a good quality one for strong, energetic dogs.

At that time, Talbot dog owners tossed their dogs bits of raw meat. Home-made food like boiled chicken, brown rice, spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes without any exotic flavorings would have been an excellent diet.

Any dog will need a constant supply of fresh, cool water to drink.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Talbot vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Talbot vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. Talbot vs Irish Setter - Breed Comparison
  4. Talbot vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison
  5. Talbot vs Portuguese Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Talbot vs Perdiguero de Burgos - Breed Comparison
  7. Talbot vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Talbot vs Pachon Navarro - Breed Comparison
  9. Talbot vs Grand Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  10. Talbot vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  11. Talbot vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - Breed Comparison
  12. Talbot vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  13. Talbot vs Spanish Pointer - Breed Comparison
  14. Talbot vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  15. Talbot vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  16. Talbot vs Braque Francais (Gascogne Type) - Breed Comparison
  17. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Talbot - Breed Comparison
  18. Weimaraner vs Talbot - Breed Comparison
  19. Talbot vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  20. Talbot vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Talbot vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Talbot vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  23. Talbot vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  24. Talbot vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  25. Sakhalin Husky vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Portuguese Water Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  28. Portuguese Water Dog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  29. Portuguese Water Dog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  30. Portuguese Water Dog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  31. Portuguese Water Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  32. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  33. Portuguese Water Dog vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  34. Portuguese Water Dog vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Portuguese Water Dog vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Portuguese Water Dog vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  37. Portuguese Water Dog vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  38. Portuguese Water Dog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  39. Portuguese Water Dog vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  40. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  41. Portuguese Water Dog vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  42. Portuguese Water Dog vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  43. Portuguese Water Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  44. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  45. Portuguese Water Dog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Portuguese Water Dog vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  47. Portuguese Water Dog vs Jamthund - Breed Comparison
  48. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds