Tips Based on Our Own Experience
On this page, you’ll find a few practical tips based on our personal experience caring for Portuguese Water Dogs.We use all of the products and grooming tools mentioned here ourselves, and they have worked well for us in everyday coat care. These are simply the things that work for us and may help you find the products that work best for you and your dog.
Bathing & Coat Care
A dog with a long coat maintained for the show ring should ideally be bathed about once every two weeks. Regular bathing helps keep the coat clean and well-conditioned and makes brushing and detangling easier.
For bathing, we have found that PSH PRO Aloe Vera Hydrating Shampoo and PSH PRO Tangle Free Conditioner work very well for us. We normally dilute the shampoo with water at a ratio of 1:4.If the coat is particularly dirty, we use the shampoo undiluted and shampoo the coat twice.
After shampooing, we use PSH PRO Tangle Free Conditioner work very well for us, which softens the coat, makes detangling easier and helps prevent tangles and mats from forming. We dilute it with water at a ratio of 1 : 2, leave it on for 3–6 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Detangling Brush
For regular coat care, we have found that a slicker brush with extra-long metal pins, works best, as the long pins can penetrate the dense coat and reach through to the deeper layers.
A medium-firm brush works best for us. A brush that is soft may not work effectively through a dense long coat, while one that is hard can pull on the coat and make brushing uncomfortable.
We pay particular attention to the coat around the neck, behind the ears, in the armpits, on the legs and in areas where the coat is exposed to more friction .
If the coat is already tangled, we never try to detangle it completely dry. We spray the dry coat with PSH PRO BIO PROTEIN Mask diluted 1:2 with water in a spray bottle , then gently work through the tangled area little by little.
Slightly dampening the coat before detangling puts less stress on the hair and helps reduce breakage and damage.
Grooming Comb
We prefer an all-metal comb with very smooth teeth, that glide easily through the coat without unnecessarily catching or damaging the hair.
After brushing, we use the comb to check the coat thoroughly all the way down to the skin and to find any smaller tangles the brush may have missed.
We have found Spratts No. 74 and Spratts No. 70particularly useful. Both have smooth metal teeth and work very similarly on the coat.
The main difference is the grip and the amount of coat you can comb through in a single stroke . Spratts No. 74 is longer, allowing you to work through a larger area and more coat at once.
Spratts No. 70 has a traditional handle, providing a different grip and making it convenient for more detailed combing of smaller areas.
Neither one is necessarily better than the other – it mainly comes down to which grip and combing style you find more comfortable.
Coat-Friendly Collar
To help reduce tangling and matting around the neck, we prefer a wider collar with a smooth, low-friction surface, such as neoprene.
This type of material creates less friction as the dog moves, helping to prevent the coat underneath the collar from catching, tangling and matting.
Clipping & Grooming
For grooming at home, we have found the Heiniger Saphir. to be an excellent choice. It is powerful, comfortable to hold, quiet and cordless..
A single battery charge provides approximately one hour of continuous clipping,which is more than enough for our home grooming needs.
One of its biggest advantages is the universal A5 (Snap-on) detachable blade system.This means you are not limited to Heiniger blades. The clipper is also compatible with A5 blades from Andis, Moser, Oster a Wahl, so you can use blades you may already have at home or choose a compatible blade from another brand that suits you better.
Ear Care
Regular ear checks are important for a Portie,especially if your dog swims frequently. Repeated moisture in the ear can create an environment where irritation and other ear problems are more likely to develop.
If excess hair needs to be removed from the ear canal, we have found Show Tech Ear Powder very useful..The powder absorbs moisture and improves grip on the hair, making it easier to remove.
Our dogs tolerate this grooming procedure very well, and when we use the powder, removing the hair does not cause them any discomfort.
If you notice irritation, redness, an unpleasant odour or discharge from the ear, it is best to postpone any further grooming and consult your veterinarian.
These are the grooming methods and products that have worked well for us. Every Portie is a little different – pay attention to your dog’s coat and skin sensitivity and find what works best for you and your dog.