The following health conditions can be found in Portuguese Water Dogs:

  • Addison's Disease
  • Allergies, Hair loss and Skin Issues
  • Cancer
  • Eye Diseases
  • Gastrointestinal (irritable bowel disease)
  • GM1
  • Heart
  • Neonatal
  • Orthopedic 
  • Seizures
  • Thyroid
To see what the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America is doing to help with these diseases and for more information about them please follow the link buttons provided.  This will provide you with descriptive information, how PWDCA is helping fund research on these issues and what you can do to help.
The following clearances MUST be completed by your prospective PWD breeder prior to them breeding their dog.  You can request copies of these clearances from your prospective breeder.  There may be other tests they provide in addition to the mandatory testing. 
PWDCA Recommended Testing on ALL breeding PWDs

OFA and elbows hips
CAER/CERF (eyes)
OPTIGEN (PRA - eyes) 
EOPRA (eyes) 
GM1 Storage 
JDCM - cardiac 
MOS 
CDDY/CDPA
IC - Improper Coat
Health Concerns In PWDs