Portuguese Water Dog: healthy weight & calories
A healthy adult Portuguese Water Dog usually weighs 16 to 27 kg (35.3 to 59.5 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.
Estimated for a Portuguese Water Dog at 21.5 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.
| Activity | Desexed | Entire |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly restsa few short potty walks | 839 kcal | 978 kcal |
| Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total | 978 kcal | 1,118 kcal |
| Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play | 1,118 kcal | 1,258 kcal |
| Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport | 1,258 kcal | 1,398 kcal |
Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 1,398 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.
High energy dogs often gain weight when the exercise drops rather than when the food goes up. Keep the weekly plan steady and the portions weighed.
Studies of dogs a similar size to a Portuguese Water Dog found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 0.4 to 0.9 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.
This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.
Check Portuguese Water Dog free →How much should a Portuguese Water Dog weigh?
A healthy adult Portuguese Water Dog typically weighs 16 to 27 kg (35.3 to 59.5 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.
How many calories does a Portuguese Water Dog need a day?
A desexed adult Portuguese Water Dog at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 978 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.
Similar breeds: Siberian Husky, English Springer Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel
Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds
This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out