I have worked with a lot of curly-coated and water breeds over the years, and the Portuguese Water Dog is one of the most rewarding to groom once you understand the coat. Unlike a Labrador or a Husky, the Portie carries a single-layered, continuously growing coat that comes in two textures: tight curls or looser waves. There is no thick undercoat to blow out seasonally, which is why people call them low-shedding. The trade-off is that loose hair never falls free. It stays woven into the curls and turns into a mat if you let it.
That single fact shapes everything about grooming this breed. A Portuguese Water Dog is not a wash-and-go dog. The coat needs consistent brushing, regular professional or at-home trims, and careful drying, especially because these dogs genuinely love water and will jump into anything wet. In this guide I will walk you through the tools, the step-by-step routine, the mistakes I see most often, and when to hand things over to a professional groomer or your vet.
What You Will Need
Good grooming starts with the right kit. You do not need a salon, but you do need tools that reach the skin, because brushing only the surface of a curly coat leaves mats forming underneath where you cannot see them.
- A quality slicker brush to lift and separate the curls down to the skin
- A steel greyhound comb to catch tangles the slicker misses and confirm you reached the skin
- Dog-specific shampoo (a gentle, pH-balanced formula) and conditioner for curly coats
- A high-velocity or stand dryer, or at minimum a low-heat dryer, since air-drying mats the coat
- Dog nail clippers or a nail grinder, plus styptic powder in case a nail bleeds
- Electric clippers with guard combs if you plan to trim at home, plus blunt-tip scissors for feet and face
- Cotton pads and a vet-approved ear cleaner for routine ear care
A slicker brush glides over the top of curls and can fool you into thinking the coat is tangle-free while mats form against the skin. Always finish each section with a steel comb. If the comb snags or will not pass through to the skin, you have found a developing mat that the brush missed.
Step by Step: How to Groom a Portuguese Water Dog
Here is the routine I recommend for a full at-home grooming session. Brushing happens 2 to 3 times a week on its own, while the full bath-and-trim cycle happens every 6 to 8 weeks. Work on a non-slip surface at a comfortable height so you are not bending over the whole time.
Brush and de-mat first, while dry
Always brush before bathing. Water tightens existing mats into hard knots that become impossible to remove. Work in small sections using the slicker brush down to the skin, then pass the comb through. Brushing a wet, matted coat is uncomfortable for the dog and can pull the skin.
Bathe with lukewarm water and dog shampoo
Wet the coat thoroughly, work in a dog-specific shampoo from the skin outward, and rinse until the water runs completely clear. Leftover shampoo irritates skin and dulls the coat. Follow with a curly-coat conditioner to keep the curls soft and easier to comb.
Dry completely, then brush again
This step is non-negotiable for this breed. Use a dryer on a low or warm setting (not hot) and brush as you dry to set the curls and prevent mats. A coat left to air-dry will mat within hours. Make sure the skin underneath is fully dry, not just the surface.
Trim the coat to your chosen style
Use clippers with a guard comb for an even retriever clip, or scissors for shaping the feet, face, and tail. Keep clippers moving and check the blade temperature so it does not get hot against the skin. If you are new to clipping, start longer; you can always take more off.
Finish with nails, ears, and teeth
Trim nails so they do not touch the floor when the dog stands, clean the outer ear with a vet-approved solution, and brush the teeth with dog toothpaste. Wrapping these into the grooming session means nothing gets forgotten between visits.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most grooming problems I see with this breed come down to a handful of avoidable errors. Getting these right prevents painful mats, skin infections, and stressful vet visits.
Brushing only the surface of the curls is the single most common mistake. Mats form against the skin, hidden under healthy-looking fluff, and trap moisture and bacteria. A trapped mat can lead to a skin infection that needs veterinary treatment. Always comb to the skin in every section.
Porties love water, but a damp coat mats fast and stays wet against the skin, which can cause hot spots and irritation. After every swim or bath, towel off and dry the coat fully. Pay attention to the ears too, because trapped moisture in the ear canal can lead to ear infections in this breed.
Human shampoo has the wrong pH for canine skin and strips natural oils. Stick to dog formulas. With nails, cutting into the quick (the pink blood vessel inside the nail) causes pain and bleeding, so trim small amounts at a time and keep styptic powder on hand.
Tips for Success
A few habits make grooming this breed easier for both of you, and they turn a chore into a low-stress routine.
Introduce brushing, the dryer, nail trims, and clipper noise gradually with plenty of treats and praise. A Portuguese Water Dog that learns early to relax during grooming is far easier to maintain for life. Short, frequent, pleasant sessions beat occasional long battles, and they keep the coat in better shape too.
Because this is an active water breed, build grooming around their lifestyle. A quick brush and full dry after swimming prevents the matting that catches most owners off guard. Keeping the retriever clip a bit shorter in warmer months also cuts down drying time and reduces how fast mats form.
When to Get Professional Help
You can absolutely maintain a Portuguese Water Dog at home, but there are times to call a professional groomer or your veterinarian. If the coat is severely matted, do not try to cut mats out with scissors, since it is very easy to cut the skin underneath. A groomer can safely shave matted areas, and a vet should look at any skin that is red, smelly, or sore beneath a mat.
See your vet promptly if you notice persistent head shaking or odor from the ears (a sign of an ear infection, which this breed is prone to because of their floppy, hair-filled ears), red or weepy patches of skin, or any lump or sore you find while grooming. A professional groomer is also worth it for your first lion clip or if you simply want a clean, even finish while you build your own confidence with clippers.
Safety note: Never cut out a tight mat with scissors, because the skin tents up into the knot and is extremely easy to nick, so shave it out with clippers or let a professional handle it.