“The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed of working dog as classified by the American Kennel Club. Portuguese Water Dogs are originally from the Portuguese region of the Algarve, from where the breed expanded to all around Portugal's coast, where they were taught to herd fish into fishermen's nets, to retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and to act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore. Portuguese Water Dogs rode in bobbing fishing trawlers as they worked their way from the warm Atlantic waters of Portugal to the frigid fishing waters off the coast of Iceland where the fleets caught cod to bring home. Portuguese Water Dogs were often taken with sailors during the Portuguese discoveries.

In Portugal, the breed is called Cão de Água (pronounced Kow-the-Ah-gwa; literally “water dog”). In its native land, the dog is also known as the Algarvian Water Dog (“Cão de Água Algarvio”), or Portuguese Fishing Dog (Cão Pescador Português). Cão de Água de Pêlo Ondulado is the name given the wavy-haired variety, and Cão de Água de Pêlo Encaracolado is the name for the curly-coated variety.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a fairly rare breed; only 15 entrants for Portuguese Water Dogs were made to England's Crufts competition in 2002. Though some breeders claim they are a hypoallergenic dog breed, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that hypoallergenic dog breeds exist. However, their non-shedding qualities have made them more popular in recent years”. – Wikipedia

Kix, a Portuguese Water Dog , enjoys a walk around the muddy fields near his home before the grooming and preparation starts for this years Crufts on March 3, 2009 in Telford, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The Obama's new dog, Bo, a six-month old Portuguese water dog sits in the White House in Washington, DC. Bo is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and and his wife Victoria to the President's daughters, Sasha and Malia. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama with his daughters Malia (C) and Sasha (R) walk the family's new Portuguese water dog Bo, during the dog's introduction to the White House press corps on the South Lawn of the White House April 14, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama's new dog, a Portuguese water dog named Bo, sniffs a microphone during his introduction to the White House press corps on the South Lawn of the White House April 14, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama plays football with the family dog Bo on the South Lawn of the White House May 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images)

Cappy, the brother of Obama family dog, Bo, eats treats at a birthday celebration for Bo in the Rose Garden of the White House October 9, 2009 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama's family dog Bo waits for the president on March 5, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk first dog Bo to a picnic for members of Congress on the South Lawn of the White House June 8, 2010 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Gary Fabiano-Pool/Getty Images)

The Obama family dog, a Portuguese water dog named Bo, trots across the South Lawn August 2, 2010 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)