Portuguese Water Dog Weight & Growth Chart

Complete weight guide with growth charts for male and female Portuguese Water Dogs from puppy to adult.

Male Adult Weight
35–60 lbs
Female Adult Weight
29–52 lbs

Portuguese Water Dog Weight Overview

Weight range for the Portuguese Water Dog: 35–60 lbs overall. Males: 35–60 lbs. Females: 29–52 lbs.

Males weigh 42-60 pounds, females 35-50 pounds; the breed should be muscular and athletic, built for endurance swimming and agility.. Consult the growth chart below for typical weight progression by age.

Growth Chart

When Does a Portuguese Water Dog Stop Growing?

The Portuguese Water Dog stops growing in height (target: 17–23 inches) around 12–15 months of age, but may continue adding weight toward 60 lbs for a few more months. Males weigh 42-60 pounds, females 35-50 pounds; the breed should be muscular and athletic, built for endurance swimming and agility..

Their curly coat may also undergo changes during this period, reaching its adult texture by maturity.

Is My Portuguese Water Dog Overweight?

To determine if your Portuguese Water Dog is at a healthy weight (35–60 lbs target):

  • Rib test: You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, with a thin layer of fat covering them
  • Waist check: Viewed from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs
  • Tuck-up: From the side, the abdomen should tuck up behind the rib cage

Their curly coat can mask weight gain, so hands-on assessment is essential. If your Portuguese Water Dog is overweight, work with your veterinarian to develop a safe weight loss plan. Even a 10% reduction can reduce the risk of Progressive Retinal Atrophy and other conditions.

Feeding Recommendation

Daily food for an adult Portuguese Water Dog: 0.5–1.2 cups of high-quality dry food in two meals, budgeting $60–92/month. Puppies growing toward 35–60 lbs need three to four daily feedings until around six months old. DNA testing has dramatically reduced inherited diseases in the breed; responsible breeders test for PRA, JDCM, and GM1 storage disease before breeding.—treats count toward daily calorie intake.

Weight by Age Table

AgeMale (lbs)Female (lbs)
3 months 13.5–16.5 11.4–14.1
6 months 29.6–36.4 25.1–31.0
9 months 43.1–52.9 36.6–45.0
12 months 53.9–66.1 45.7–56.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Males: 35–60 lbs. Females: 29–52 lbs. Males weigh 42-60 pounds, females 35-50 pounds; the breed should be muscular and athletic, built for endurance swimming and agility.. Consult your vet for a personalized assessment.
The Portuguese Water Dog reaches full adult size (17–23 inches, 35–60 lbs) by approximately 12–15 months. Needs 60-90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise; swimming is the ideal activity, and they excel at dock diving, agility, and water retrieval games.. Growth rate is influenced by genetics, diet, and overall care.
For a Portuguese Water Dog at healthy weight (35–60 lbs), you should feel ribs without pressing hard, see a defined waist from above, and notice an abdominal tuck from the side. Even modest excess weight stresses this medium-sized breed's frame and can worsen conditions like Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Start with the food label's guidelines for your puppy's current weight and adjust based on body condition. Portuguese Water Dog puppies should eat 3–4 meals daily until 6 months, then transition to twice daily. Given the breed's predisposition to Progressive Retinal Atrophy, your vet may recommend specific dietary considerations. Target adult weight is 35–60 lbs (35–60 for males, 29–52 for females).
If your Portuguese Water Dog puppy isn't gaining weight as expected (target adult weight: 35–60 lbs), consult your vet. Common causes include intestinal parasites, insufficient calorie intake, or malabsorption. The breed's predisposition to Progressive Retinal Atrophy could also be a factor worth investigating. A fecal test and blood work are typically the first diagnostic steps.