Coat

The Spanish Water Dog naturally has a curly coat. As the coat grows longer, it forms cords. When a Perro gets wet, it shakes its coat dry in sections: first its head, then its head and body, and finally its body and tail. A Perro's coat generally doesn't smell. Our climate is much wetter than Spain's, so a Perro takes longer to dry after a heavy downpour or a swim. This can eventually make the coat smell. Drying it carefully (pat dry, don't rub) after swimming helps slow this process. If your dog smells because it's rolled in mud, you can 'wash' it with cold water and a gentle dog shampoo (diluted with water). Don't wash your Perro too often, as soap temporarily reduces the coat's natural protection.


Hypoallergenic

One advantage of the Spanish Water Dog is that it does not shed. This breed is therefore often suitable for people with dog allergies, although this is not always the case! If you have a dog allergy, we recommend visiting places where Spanish Water Dogs are kept several times. Each visit should preferably last a few hours, with plenty of contact with the dogs. Try this in a small room, too.


Clipping

The coat must be clipped at least once a year, but more often is fine! The entire coat must be clipped (including the tail and ears) to preserve the breed’s characteristic appearance. No particular style is used. A Perro’s coat grows about 1 cm per month. Puppies are often clipped for the first time at 4 months old. If you decide to let your dog’s coat grow long, bear in mind that it requires extra care. It often won’t take care of itself. A long coat also brings more dirt into your home (sand, twigs).


Ears

Hair also grows inside the ears of the Spanish Water Dog. This hair should be removed to prevent ear mites or ear infections. You can gently remove the hair from the ear canal with your fingers or tweezers. After removing the hair, we recommend cleaning the ears with a specially formulated ear cleaner, as the perro can suffer from an excessive build-up of earwax.


Eyes

The Spanish Water Dog’s eyes can collect dust and dirt when the coat grows longer. We recommend checking the eyes for dirt every day. Hairs can also get into the eyes and should be removed. If tear staining is present, you can remove it with a cotton pad dipped in cooled boiled water.


Teeth

You should inspect your dog’s teeth regularly and have any tartar removed if necessary. Dental scrapers are available for this purpose. Chewing on a rope toy or various bones helps reduce tartar. You can also brush your dog’s teeth regularly with lukewarm water or special dog toothpaste. Giving your dog a bone or raw carrot to chew on regularly helps keep its teeth naturally clean.


Grooming tips

Male

For hygiene, keep the hair on (the tip of) the penis short. Some male dogs (recurrently) suffer from inflammation of the foreskin: a pus-like yellow discharge then comes from the penis. This can be easily treated with the following products:

  • Prepusol (available from your veterinarian)
  • Betadine solution (available at pharmacies)

Use a (syringe) to draw up a little of one of the products listed above and, using the plastic tip (instead of a needle), squirt it under the foreskin. Then hold the penis closed and gently massage for 1.5 minutes. Keep a tissue or other material handy to wipe up the fluid. Repeat this for 4 consecutive days. After a while, the discharge will disappear.


Female

For hygiene reasons, it is best to keep the hair around the vulva short. When a bitch comes into season, her vulva will swell and a dark red discharge will appear at first, later becoming light red. A heat usually lasts around 17 to 21 days. Ovulation takes place around days 9–15. This is when the bitch can be mated, as she is at her most fertile. The perro comes into season about twice a year. Tips:


  • You can prevent blood spots on the floor by using a 'heat diaper'. These are available at pet shops, but the material often cuts into the bitch's groin. Choose one made of soft material (e.g. towelling).
  • Note the day your bitch’s season starts. This will help you estimate when her next season is likely to occur, so it won’t come as a “surprise”.