Portuguese Water Dog vs AussieDoodle

TerryM · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Hi all,

I'm new here and learning as much as I can about the Doodles.

3 weeks ago, I had to put my beloved Portie down. Long, sad story, but she gave us 14 wonderful years. I miss her horribly.

Yesterday, while walking through my neighborhood, I spotted a gorgeous dog that looked so much like my Annie! I asked the owners if it was a Portie and they said no, it was an Australian Labradoodle.

So of course, I've been scouring the internet to learn more about these beauties because I am strongly considering getting another dog as soon as my heart heals a bit more.

Finally...my question!

Can someone tell me what the difference is in personality and temperament between the two breeds?

Annie was one wicked puppy, but once she hit that magic age of 2, she totally turned around. She was smart as a whip and extremely attached to me; she literally never left my side (sob- I really miss her!). But she was quirky too. She never totally got used to small children and I had to watch her if any jumped around her.

She'd pay me back whenever I left the house, by knocking all the phones off the hook. And though a waterdog, she hated water and was phobic about sprinklers.

Still, she was the best dog I've ever had- and I've had dogs my entire life- all were poodles.

Any insights you can share about the two breeds?

Oh, Annie was a chocolate wavy/loose curly and for whatever reason, I'd get another chocolate- or a parti. But still, it's the temperament, personality and of course, health that is most important.

Thanks for reading all of this!

Terry in Michigan (see Annie below)

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blueteal · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

I have never had a Portuguese Water Dog so I cannot
help with that but I did want to say, that I am so very sorry for your loss
and to Welcome you to Doodleland!!!!!!!!!!
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Sue & Denver

TerryM · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks for your warm welcome, Sue!

Terry
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cissy k · Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 844 Location: NC

I don't even have my Doodle yet and have never had a Portie so I can't help either.

But welcome! There are SO many wonderful people on this forum. If you have any questions, everyone is happy to help. And I am sure if you decide to get a Doodle, one of the caring breeders on this site can help you with finding just the right pup.

TerryM · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks, cissy!
One thing I noticed right away was the incredible air of friendliness around here. I'm on lots of lists and am impressed by the kindness and willingness to help here. Fantastic!

Terry
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blueteal · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Yup for the most part we are one big sappy family........
teehee
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goodheart · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Terry,

Welcome to another Michigander!

I also don't have much scientific wisdom to add here, but, I just wanted to say that looks-wise, I do think labradoodles (especially multigen ones) look alot like Portuguese Water dogs -- my cousin has one, and when I first starting looking into labradoodles I was struck by the resemblance! Not so sure about temperament - my cousin's dog was not exactly mellow and friendly (he bit two children and had to be rehomed) but that is just that one dog!

I also just met a new (to me) breed of dog today that reminded me of both - curly coated retriever - this dog was so friendly and well behaved.

cissy k · Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 844 Location: NC

Oh, I do have one insight....

We were at the dog park about a month ago and someone there had a Porti. I thought it was a Doodle. The fur was different. It was more coarse rather than fleecey. Or maybe wire-y is the word.

But I don't know whether that is typical for Porti's or just this particular dog. The Doodle fleece is just that, fleece-like. Super soft.

However, not all Doodles are fleece coated. So, again, I am not much help here....LOL

Wait, one more thing. Maybe I am incorrect, but I think there is a difference in the names.

An Aussiedoodle is an Australian Shepard bred to a Poodle. An Australian Multigen Labradoodle is a third generation Labradoodle or higher??? Someone else can explain it much better than me.

Nancy at Doodlesville breeds Aussie, Golden and Labra Doodles, so you may want to look at her site.

TerryM · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Hi Cissy,

Porties come in two coat options- curly and wavy. Curlies feel like poodles. Wavies are softer but probably not like what you're describing. They also have a mild oiliness to their coat. And apparently, they're the lonly dog with webbed feet. Not that I could see Annie's too well, with all that fuzz!

I did check out Nancy's beautiful pups, but I think you have to pick them up- they can't be shipped. If you're around Nancy...am I right?

Terry

lindamarie · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Terry and welcome!! If ya live near me.......come see my doodle!!
LOL.........I was actually asked if Bogart was a Portuguese Water Dog. It happened just before he got his scruffy top and bangs cut! hahaha!
They're really sweet dogs. I am so sorry for your loss...I know how awful it is to lose a sweet pet. Mine was put down last November.
I immediately started searching Labradoodles...........found these sweet people here and got Bogart within 6 days! He has sooooo taken away the pain of my loss.
I hope we can help!
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TerryM · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Linda,

I'm in Birmingham, too!!!
I'd love to meet you and Bogart! I'll PM you to see if we can connect.

Terry
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Tink · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject:

Hi Terry, I'm so sorry for your loss.
I can't comment on Portugese water dogs or Aussiedoodles, but I can tell you what I know to be true of Labradoodles.
Most love water if introduced to it early. Mine are often jumping in and out of the wading pools before they leave me at 8 weeks. Most love EVERYONE... aren't usually good guard dog prospects 'cause they act like strangers are just friends they hadn't met before. They will bark when someone comes, but it's more a welcome than a warning.
They're very loving, affectionate and playful dogs. They're smart and energetic, eager to be with their people and love to please you.
If not included in your life and worked with, like a toddler they will find their own entertainment and can be destructive.
They like to chew... so bones, chews, etc are needed.
There are several different generational types, and a couple different sizes.
The original cross is usually the easiest to groom, but the most likely to shed. Rather than tight curls, they usually have large waves. The 10 month old pup in my avatar is a standard sized F1.
An f1B (original cross bred back to a poodle) is less apt to shed but will likely need more grooming like a poodle does.

I'm sure I missed some things, but this group will fill you in. We're all a bit fanatical about our doodles. Smile

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curlygirl · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:28 am Post subject:

Hi Terry and Welcome to Doodleland! Smile

I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful girl she was and will always be to you. I lost a 12 yr. old lab 18 months ago and swore I'd never get another because she was the best.

My how things change..........After snooping around here for awhile, I'll be bringing home a ld puppy in 3 weeks. This forum is very addictive and very knowledgeble. Just sit back and read all you can here and I promise, YOU WILL WANT A DOODLE! Laughing

ellabee · Senior Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 1551 Location: NJ

Hi Terry -

Welcome to our forum. You came to the right place.

My long-time friend was a breeder of PWDs. She's now retired (she THINKS... Smile

)

I've known quite a number of her pups, as well as her personal pets, she's had several over 20+ years.

My best non-professional opinion is that personality wise, they're very similar. My friend's PWDs were big goofballs and smart as whips. All of hers earned their CGC, and they were show dogs as well. If you read enough posts here, you'll see that the similarities in personality and temperament are strikingly similar. I love the PWD breed. And I LOVE owning a Labradoodle.

Here's a photo of Dexter playing with one of the pups from her last litter, which she decided to keep. This was taken last summer:

Dexter and Jess

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MaxandMe · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:06 am Post subject:

HI and welcome!!!

I'd say that a f1 of f1b labradoodle would be similar in personality to PWD
and though most say doodles love water,
Max will swim in creek or pool but doesn't want to be hosed down or play anymore with water from hose

Peanut on other hand Won's swim in creek, floats on lounger in pool for an hour at a time before being coaxed to swim and will play with water from a hose all day long if you let her

both are goofy, comical, smart as whips, lovable, and calmed right down pretty much before the age of two
but every 2 mos have a few days of antics to keep me on my toes

I don't know much about aussie's
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