Health Issues

The average life expectancy for the Portuguese Water Dog is 12 to 15 years. They generally mature slowly and remain active well into their senior years. Like all breeds of dogs, the Portuguese Water Dog may be susceptible to certain genetic disorders. The following health issues are considered of greatest concern within the breed:

Hip Dysplasia — Hip Dysplasia is a genetic disease with various degrees of arthritis leading to pain and debilitation. Arthritis forms when the cartilage lining in the joint becomes damaged. Damage can occur from inherited bad biomechanics of an abnormally developed hip joint or through traumatic environmental damage causing damage to the cartilage lining. When the cartilage is damaged, enzymes are released into the joint which degrade the cartilage and decrease the synthesis of important constituent molecules that form hyaline cartilage. Eventually the joint's lubrication and ability to block inflammatory cells are lost and the debris-tainted joint fluid loses its ability to properly nourish the cartilage through impairment of nutrient-waste exchange across the joint cartilage cells. The damage then spreads. Loss of cartilage allows fluid to contact nerve endings in the hip bones, resulting in pain. In an attempt to stabilize the joint to decrease the pain, the animal's body produces new bone at the edges of the joint surface, joint capsule, ligament and muscle attachments (bone spurs). The joint capsule also eventually thickens and the joint's range of motion decreases. Canine Hip Dysplasia is a common inherited condition in many breeds. All Portuguese Water Dogs used for breeding should have their hips x-rayed and certified by the OFA or PennHip.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — PRA refers to a group of diseases that cause the retina of the eye to degenerate slowly over time. The result is declining vision and eventual blindness. The OptiGen prcd-PRA test is a DNA-based test that helps detect one form of PRA. “prcd” stands for “progressive rod-cone degeneration”. prcd-PRA is a genetic disorder that causes cells in the retina at the back of the eye to degenerate and die, even though the cells seem to develop normally early in life. The “rod” cells operate in low light levels and are the first to lose normal function, night blindness results. Then the “cone” cells gradually lose their normal function in full light situations. Most affected dogs will eventually be blind. Typically, the clinical disease is recognized first in early adolescence or early adulthood. Diagnosis of retinal disease can be difficult. Conditions that seem to be prcd-PRA might instead be another disease and might not be inherited. OptiGen’s genetic test assists in making the diagnosis. It’s important to remember that not all retinal disease is PRA and not all PRA is the prcd form of PRA. Annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist will build a history of eye health that will help to diagnose disease. Unfortunately, at this time there is no treatment or cure for PRA.

Storage Disease (GM-1) — This is a recessive genetic disorder caused by the lack of an enzyme that allows a build-up of toxic substances in the nerve cells. Storage disease similar to Tay-Sachs disease in humans. Puppies are generally tested at 7-8 weeks of age unless both parents are litter-tested or ancestor-tested to be normal. An affected puppy will eventually die or need to be euthanized, usually within the first year of life. Carrier puppies will live normal lives; however, they have the potential to pass the disorder on to their offspring if bred. In 1999, a new DNA-based test became available for Storage Disease. GM-1 Storage Disease is a rare, genetically transmitted disease. GM-1 is a glycogen. The genetics and pathology of GM-1 as it exists in the Portuguese Water Dog population have been understood for more than a decade.

Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDC) — This is an inherited, fatal disease seen in young Portuguese Water Dogs caused by a recessive gene. The disease can cause the sudden or rapid death of a puppy averaging between the ages of six weeks and seven months. In some cases, there are no physical signs or symptoms whatsoever while in others, signs including a loss of appetite, decreased energy level, vomiting and difficulty breathing may be seen 12 to 48 hours in advance. Sadly, there is no known cure or treatment at this time. Prospective owners of Portuguese Water Dogs should discuss this disease with Breeders and inquire if the disease has been produced within their breeding program or genetic lines of the dogs they are working with. There is now a genetic test available to identify affected, not affected and carrier dogs.

Addison's Disease — This is an inherited disease in Portuguese Water Dogs and should be verified as early as possible. Unless the veterinarian is aware of the tendency to Addison's in the breed, diagnosis can be extremely difficult. Ultimately it is diagnosed as the loss of adrenal function, usually after a rather expensive series of diagnostic tests. It has a late onset usually between two and ten years of age, which means that a dog with the disease already may have been bred. The mode of inheritance for this disorder is not known in the Portuguese Water Dog. Once diagnosed, most affected dogs can be stabilized on medication and live nearly normal lives. From other breeds and other mammals there is evidence suggesting that the disease may be caused by an autoimmune reaction. That is, by antibodies produced by a dog against its own adrenal cortex.

Improper Coat — The Portuguese Water Dog can inherit improper coat. This can include some undercoat as well as shedding. Some reports indicate that these coats are not hypoallergenic, although more study is needed. The wavy dog with improper coat may look similar to a Flat Coated Retriever or Border Collie and the curly-coated dog may look like the American Water Spaniel or Curly-Coated Retriever. The CKC Breed Standard, considers this coat a disqualification and the AKC Standard views an improper coat as a major fault. This condition is one of appearance and does not change the temperament or behaviour of the dog. There is now a genetic test for this condition.

Follicular Dysplasia — This is a genetic condition that can affect some Portuguese Water Dogs. It presents itself as patterned hairloss generally on the torso of the dog but can affect larger and larger regions of skin over time. The follicles of the hair are abnormal, or dysplastic, allowing the hair to fall out. In the early stages of this genetic hairloss, the hair will re-grow. Episodes of hairloss are often associated with environmental stress factors; such as but not limited to, inoculations, surgery, and / or illness. Follicular dysplasia does not cause itching or scratching. Generally, the majority of dogs affected have tight curly, wiry coats and are usually the result of breeding two curly parents. The condition normally presents itself between the ages of two and four years. The mechanics behind the transportation or appearance of follicular dysplasia is not clearly understood at this point. It is important to remember that not all hair loss is caused by follicular dysplasia, other conditions may cause temporary hair loss, include thyroid deficiency, Cushing's disease, allergies, parasites, environmental toxins, and medications. Although follicular dysplasia is not a desirable condition, it is not life threatening.

For more information please visit the following sites:

http://www.pwdcc.org/

http://www.pwdca.org/

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/portugesewater.htm