Portuguese Water Dogs and puppies for adoption and rehoming in the UK

Portuguese Water Dogs and Portuguese Water Dog crosses looking for new homes with rescues and rehoming centres across the UK, gathered in one place. Adult Portuguese Water Dogs are usually medium dogs, though crosses can vary.

No Portuguese Water Dogs listed on LocalPetFinder right now

That just means none are on the site at the moment, not that the breed is unavailable. New listings arrive from rescues and local owners all the time. Be first in line, or help one find a home.

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Newest rescue dogs across the UK

No Portuguese Water Dogs today, but these are the latest dogs listed with UK rescues, every breed. The right dog is often one you were not searching for.

Chance, american bulldog for adoption in Great SheffordNEW

Chance

5 years • Male • American Bulldog

Largelow energy
National Animal Welfare Trust Berkshire· Great Shefford
Meet Chance →
Spiffing, greyhound for adoption in Great SheffordNEW

Spiffing

5 years • Male • Greyhound

Largehigh energy
Can live with:ChildrenOther dogs
National Animal Welfare Trust Berkshire· Great Shefford
Meet Spiffing →
Hugo, german shepherd cross for adoption in Aspley GuiseNEW

Hugo

1 year, 5 months • Male • German Shepherd Cross

Largehigh energy
National Animal Welfare Trust Bedfordshire· Aspley Guise
Meet Hugo →
Polly, italian mastiff cane corso cross for adoption in Aspley GuiseNEW

Polly

5 years • Female • Italian Mastiff Cane Corso Cross

Giantlow energy
Can live with:Other dogs
National Animal Welfare Trust Bedfordshire· Aspley Guise
Meet Polly →
Ranger, greyhound for adoption in Aspley GuiseNEW

Ranger

6 years • Male • Greyhound

Large
Can live with:ChildrenOther dogs
National Animal Welfare Trust Bedfordshire· Aspley Guise
Meet Ranger →
Al, greyhound for adoption in StadhamptonNEW

Al

5 years • Male • Greyhound

Largelow energy
Can live with:Other dogs
Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary· Stadhampton
Meet Al →
Billy, greyhound for adoption in StadhamptonNEW

Billy

3 years • Male • Greyhound

Large
Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary· Stadhampton
Meet Billy →
Blu, french bulldog for adoption in StadhamptonNEW

Blu

8 years • Female • French Bulldog

Smalllow energy
Can live with:Children
Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary· Stadhampton
Meet Blu →

See every dog in the UK →

Breeds with dogs available now

Breed labels on rescue listings are often a best guess, and every dog is an individual. Read the profile, then ask the rescue about the dog’s history, what they can live with and the home they need.

Portuguese Water Dog health and care

SizeMedium
ExerciseUp to 1 hour per day
GroomingEvery day
Coat lengthMedium
ShedsNo
LifespanOver 10 years

Common Portuguese Water Dog health concerns

Breed-associated conditions worth asking any rescue about before you adopt. A rescue dog's parents may not have been health tested, so ask the rescue what vet checks the dog has had.

Progressive retinal atrophy

The Royal Kennel Club lists DNA tests for progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA and EOPRA) among the health tests it asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to do before breeding.

Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog →

Elbow dysplasia

The Royal Kennel Club asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to elbow grade their dogs under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme before breeding.

Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog →

Hip dysplasia

The Royal Kennel Club asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to hip score their dogs under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme before breeding.

Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog →

Gangliosidosis

The Royal Kennel Club lists a DNA test for gangliosidosis (GM1) among the health tests it asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to do before breeding.

Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog →

Editorial summary for adopters, not medical advice. Ask the rescue about a specific dog's health, and speak to your vet for individual guidance.

Portuguese Water Dogs in the UK: your questions

Tap a question to expand

How many rescue Portuguese Water Dogs are available for adoption in the UK?

As of 8 November 2026, no Portuguese Water Dogs are listed for adoption in the UK on LocalPetFinder. Rescues add animals all the time, so this page fills as they list them.

What size is a Portuguese Water Dog?

Medium, according to The Royal Kennel Club. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

How long do Portuguese Water Dogs live?

Over 10 years, according to The Royal Kennel Club. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

How much exercise does a Portuguese Water Dog need?

Up to 1 hour per day, according to The Royal Kennel Club. Ask the rescue how much exercise this dog is used to. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

How much grooming does a Portuguese Water Dog need?

Every day, according to The Royal Kennel Club. Coat: medium. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

Do Portuguese Water Dogs shed?

No: The Royal Kennel Club lists the Portuguese Water Dog as a breed that does not shed. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

What health problems do Portuguese Water Dogs have?

The Royal Kennel Club lists breeder health tests for elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia and gangliosidosis. The Royal Kennel Club names these for the breed: progressive retinal atrophy. The Royal Kennel Club lists DNA tests for progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA and EOPRA) among the health tests it asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to do before breeding. A rescue dog's parents may not have been health tested, so ask the rescue what vet checks the dog has had. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

What health tests are there for the Portuguese Water Dog?

The Royal Kennel Club asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to elbow grade their dogs under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme before breeding. The Royal Kennel Club asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to hip score their dogs under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme before breeding. The Royal Kennel Club lists a DNA test for gangliosidosis (GM1) among the health tests it asks Portuguese Water Dog breeders to do before breeding. Ask the rescue whether it knows of any test results for the dog or its parents. Source: The Royal Kennel Club: Portuguese Water Dog.

How much does it cost to adopt a Portuguese Water Dog in the UK?

Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Battersea charges £230 for a dog over six months and £275 for a puppy under six months, Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England, Wales and Scotland, and Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over and £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.

Are there Portuguese Water puppies for sale in the UK?

No. We don't list animals for sale. Every Portuguese Water Dog on this page is with a rescue or rehoming centre. Rescues rehome animals rather than selling them, usually for an adoption fee: for example, Battersea charges £230 for a dog over six months and £275 for a puppy under six months, and Dogs Trust £300. The fee usually goes towards vet work already done, such as neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations. If you searched "portuguese water puppies for sale", the Portuguese Water Dogs here are the rescue route: you apply to the rescue and pay its adoption fee, not a sale price.

Where can I buy a Portuguese Water Dog, and should I?

Not here: we only list dogs with rescues, so every Portuguese Water Dog on this page is adopted for the rescue's fee, which usually covers vet work already done. Whether to buy is your choice. Adopting means the rescue can tell you what it knows about the dog's history and health before you apply. If you decide to buy, Dogs Trust's breed guides suggest talking to your vet first: they say some practices offer pre-purchase consultations on likely health conditions and rough costs.

Can I get a free Portuguese Water Dog to a good home in the UK, or one under £500?

Usually not. UK rescues normally ask for an adoption fee, which pays towards neutering, microchipping and vaccinations. Many rescue fees are under £500: Battersea charges £230 for a dog over six months, Dogs Trust £300, and Blue Cross from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. An animal offered "free to a good home" is usually a private advert rather than a rescue. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by 8 weeks old, and in England, Wales and Scotland a dog can't pass to a new keeper until it is chipped, so ask to see the microchip details.

Are there Portuguese Water Dog puppies for adoption in the UK?

Not right now: no Portuguese Water Dogs are listed in the UK today, so there are no puppies either. Puppies do get listed, and rescues can tell you much more about an adult's character, so check back.

Is there a Portuguese Water Dog rescue near me?

This page lists every Portuguese Water Dog with the rescues we list across the UK, each with its town. For a city, see Portuguese Water Dogs in Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Canterbury, Cardiff, Carlisle, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Ipswich, Kendal, Kingston upon Hull, Leeds, Lincoln, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, Truro and Worcester. You can also search by postcode with the pet finder on our home page to see what is closest to you.

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Portuguese Water Dogs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Portuguese Water Dogs by city

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