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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog was built to swim Portugal's coast all day - an athletic, tireless working dog whose energy, dense curly coat, and joints all trace straight back to what's in the bowl.

Here is exactly how to feed a Portuguese Water Dog on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that fuels their drive, supports their hips, and feeds that famous low-shed coat from the inside out.

  • Adult weight35–60 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan11-13 years
  • CoatSingle, curly or wavy - low-shedding, grooming-intensive
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A healthy Portuguese Water Dog
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Portuguese Water Dog's body needs

Every Portuguese Water Dog trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Tireless working athlete

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for a dog bred to work the water - without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Curly, low-shedding coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that signature wavy coat supple and conditioned between grooming visits.

  • Hip dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean keeps load off the hips.

  • Loves the water, in and out daily

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed the skin and ear irritation a constantly-damp dog is prone to.

  • Highly food-motivated and smart

    Needs: Clean, single-ingredient rewards

    A breed that learns through its stomach deserves real freeze-dried meat as training rewards - so treats reinforce good behavior without junk calories.

How much to feed a Portuguese Water Dog

Quick answer: a healthy adult Portuguese Water Dog (35–60 lb) needs about 5.3–9.0 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
35 lb 5.3 oz 2.6 oz
41 lb 6.2 oz 3.1 oz
47 lb typical Portuguese Water Dog 7.1 oz 3.5 oz
53 lb 8.0 oz 4.0 oz
60 lb 9.0 oz 4.5 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Portuguese Water Dog

For a Portuguese Water Dog we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base - real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler - or as a high-value topper while you transition.

Fish-forward recipes like Wild-Caught Salmon suit this water-loving, coat-conscious breed with extra omega-3, while lean Chicken keeps active dogs trim and richer Beef fuels the hardest-working days. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Portuguese Water Dogs

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Daily support for Portuguese Water Dogs

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Treats Portuguese Water Dogs love

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Feeding a Portuguese Water Dog by life stage

  • Puppy: Portuguese Water Dog puppies should grow steadily, not explosively, to protect developing hips. Feed roughly 5-8% of current body weight across 3-4 meals and avoid overfeeding - controlled growth lowers joint strain later.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, defined waist split across two meals, scaling with how active your dog is that week. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases but appetite rarely does. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Portuguese Water Dog concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help support comfortable movement in an active, athletic breed.
  • HypothyroidismA whole-food diet rich in quality protein and healthy fats supports steady metabolism and coat health; pair feeding with regular veterinary monitoring.
  • Skin and coat upkeepA dog that is frequently damp benefits from an omega-rich, low-filler diet that supports the skin barrier and helps keep that dense curly coat conditioned.
  • Energy and lean muscleWorking water dogs run on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance - not on carbohydrate fillers.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Portuguese Water Dog: what to know

A Portuguese Water Dog burns through energy - but their thick curly coat hides the body underneath, so it is easy to miss weight creeping on. Feed to body condition, not appearance: you should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.

Match portions to activity. A dog swimming, hiking, and training daily needs more than one having a quiet week, so weigh meals rather than eyeballing them and re-check the waistline every few weeks.

Portuguese Water Dog feeding questions

How much should I feed my Portuguese Water Dog?
A healthy adult Portuguese Water Dog (35-60 lb) needs roughly 5-9 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble - feed to a lean waistline and adjust with activity.
What is the best food for an active, athletic Portuguese Water Dog?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of real meat, organ and bone gives this working breed clean, sustained energy. Fish-forward recipes like Salmon add omega-3 that suits their coat and hard-swimming lifestyle.
Does feeding help my Portuguese Water Dog's coat?
Yes. That curly, low-shedding coat is fed from the inside - an omega-rich, whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and helps keep the coat supple and conditioned between grooming sessions.
How do I switch my Portuguese Water Dog to raw?
Transition over 7-10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. This food-motivated breed usually takes to raw fast - it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch body condition.
Does a Portuguese Water Dog need joint support?
Many benefit from it, given the breed's hip dysplasia risk and high activity. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your dog lean is the most effective joint protection there is.

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  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.