First the White House, then the world

Portuguese water dogs have a lot going for them. Expressive brown eyes. An adorable mop-like coat. A puppyish air, no matter the age.

And, as of last week, a dog bed in the White House.

But while the breed is poised to skyrocket in popularity, experts say that may not be a good thing. The dogs are not for everyone.

“The best part about them is that they’re very, very smart,” said breeder Steve Dostie. “That’s also the worst part of them.”

Portuguese water dogs were once highly favored by Portuguese fishermen as companions and guard dogs. The breed has grown steadily popular since it came to the United States in the late 1960s. Just over 180 of the dogs were registered in the American Kennel Club in the early 1980s. Now there are 1,427, making them the American Kennel Club’s 62nd most popular breed.

Dostie adopted his first Portuguese water dog in 1985 when a student in his obedience class could no longer care for hers. He fell in love with the breed.

Dostie and his wife now have four water dogs – Kid, Cookie, Dobby and Spice – and they breed about two litters a year. He considers himself a hobby breeder.

It’s an unusual hobby considering Dostie is also head of the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston. He doesn’t feel a contradiction between the two, breeder and shelter director.

“If it’s done correctly, there’s no reason why you can’t (breed),” he said. “We should be for all dogs.”

But Dostie, past president of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, is concerned the dogs’ sudden popularity will lead to indiscriminate breeding, with people selling puppies to get rich and not considering their dogs’ health and temperament.

“A good breeder does not make any money breeding dogs,” he said.

He’s also concerned that families will rush into getting a water dog just because they’re trendy, not because the breed is right for them.

Dostie isn’t the only one worried. When President Barack Obama got his puppy, Bo, last week, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America issued a news release urging people to research the breed before they get one. The American Kennel Club recommended prospective buyers learn about reputable breeders before they buy.

But aside from the president’s new pup, there are reasons why Portuguese water dogs have grown in popularity. Like America’s most popular dog, Labrador retrievers, Portuguese water dogs are friendly, hearty and energetic. They’re highly intelligent and highly social.

“They bond to their people. They love their families,” he said.

As a working breed, Portuguese water dogs need to have something to do. Dostie’s dogs are involved in dog shows, water trials and agility work. Water dogs have also make good therapy dogs, assistance dogs and search-and-rescue dogs.

Because they’re so intelligent – and also independent and strong-willed – Portuguese water dogs aren’t the best breed for first-time owners, Dostie said. But whether a puppy’s new owners are experienced or first-timers, he recommends enrollment in obedience classes.

For anyone interested the breed – especially those lured by the adorable First Puppy – Dostie has one piece of advice: “Remember, the president’s dog went to live at a trainer’s house for 30 days. And on TV he’s still pulling him all over the yard.”