Fun facts about Portuguese Water Dogs

 

• At one time Portuguese Water Dogs existed all along Portugal's coast, where they herded fish into nets, retrieved lost tackle or broken nets, and acted as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore.

• During their working days PWD’s were considered part of a ship’s crew and got a share of both the money and fish earned for the catch. After a fisherman retired, they would often have to rent out their dogs for the extra cash.

• In his native land, the breed is called Cao de Agua (pronounced Kown-d'Ahgwa). Cao means dog, de Agua means of water. He is also known as the Portuguese Fishing Dog.

• Some believe that the breed traces as far back as 700 B.C. to the wild Central-Asian steppes, near the Chinese-Russian border.

• A Portuguese Water Dog is first described in 1297 in a monk’s account of a drowning sailor who was pulled from the sea by a dog with a “black coat, the hair long and rough, cut to the first rib and with a tail tuft”

• At one point, there were only 25 Portuguese water dogs in the entire world

• Portuguese water dogs have webbed toes. This is common among most water dogs, as the webbed toes are designed for swimming with ease.

Sources
gCaptain.com - Portuguese Water Dog – Facts, Photos & Nautical History
AKC.org - Portuguese Water Dog History

Bo left in cold while family vacations in tropics

Poor Bo! Due to the strict quarantine regulations in Hawaii, and the long 10 hour flight, Bo was left behind while the First Family vacations in Hawaii for 10 days where the high temps are in the 80's this week.

I have no doubt that wherever Bo was boarded, he is receiving first class care. I'll bet he gets a pedicure done in red, white & blue stripes! Wonder if he has his own Secret Service agent guarding him.  

Bo thrives in DC blizzard

The blizzard that left the nation's capital covered in snow yesterday is no problem for First Dog Bo. Cancelled flights and closed highways don't faze this Portie. Bo appears to be with Dean Martin when it comes to his mantra regarding winter weather, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

And no wonder, when you look at the breed's history you will see that years ago Porties were invaluable to fishermen in Newfoundland, where the average temperature in January is a frigid 2.5˚ Fahrenheit! These working dogs helped by pulling boats and fish-filled nets onshore.

Maybe Sasha and Malia will build a bo-man with the newly fallen flakes!

Bo goes rogue!

Looks like Bo is ready to go on patrol with the officer who left this police car door open! Bo hopped in when he and his mom were preparing to return home after delivering some toys to a Toys for Tots warehouse.

Wonder if there were any doggy toys among the packages? There are lots of homeless and impoverished pups out there who would certainly like a nice new Christmas or Hanukkah bone to gnaw on. Maybe Bo should start his own charity organization called, "Presents for Pups!"

Bo high-fives Oprah, see the video!

Way to go Bo! Impress one of the most influential people in the 20th century by wowing her with your high-five technique. Maybe you'll get your own TV show out of this! I mean, look at Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray, you could be Oprah's next big discovery and have your own dog food cooking show on the Food Network! I'd watch!  

New book! "Agua: The Mysterious Portuguese Water Dog"

Librarian, Renée Kelahan, wrote an outline for her children's story about a Portuguese Water Dog 4 years ago, then shelved it. That is, until Bo made his debut earlier this year as America's famous First Dog! 

"I said, 'I better get my book published,' " adding that she completed the work of historical fiction around Easter. She published the book herself and has sold a few hundred copies.

The teaser on the back cover of the book sure sounds intriguing:

"Névoa do milagre.... According to legend, the 'miracle fog' appears only when something miraculous is about to happen.

One such foggy night, in Salema, Portugal, Agua, a lone Portuguese Water Dog, appears on Natalia's doorstep.

Where did he come from? Why was he there? Could he help the little fishing village become prosperous again? Could he help Natalia's Mama get well?

Could one mysterious dog really change their lives forever?"

I found the paperback version on sale at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com for $7.88.

If you should read a copy over the holidays, please come back and tell us what you thought about it!

Put a little "Bo" in your Christmas?

 
The famous First Dog, star of Beanie Babies, books, and bumper stickers, now graces a selection of Christmas ornaments with his magnificent mug. Available at Cafe Press, these collector's items arrive just in time for your holiday gift giving.

You or your dog-loving dilettantes can help the Obamas celebrate Bo's first Christmas by adding a little "Bo" to your trees. I especially like the one pictured above. I think it captures Bo's mischievous nature! 

Wonder what Bo's reaction will be to the Obama's family Christmas tree? Perhaps he'll feel obliged to christen it (as it was rumored he christened Air Force one!) 

Marzipan Bo guards gingerbread White House

 
 There he is folks, in all his sugary glory! Bo the ever-faithful First Dog standing guard outside this year's gingerbread White House as revealed in the State Dining Room on Wednesday.

Even the bees got in the holiday spirit by generously donating their honey to the batter for the 390 pound replica of the executive mansion.

Wonder who gets to eat the little black & white confection? Sasha? Malia? Or, maybe they won't have the heart and will decide to deep-freeze him instead. They can always change their minds and enjoy a little pup-sicle on a hot day next July!

Bo author of new blog?

There's a new Bo blog in town written from Bo's viewpoint.

In his blog "Good Boy Bo," he tells tales of his antics in the White House as well as how he sees current issues and events effecting the family, the staff, and his Master, the Prez.