Portuguese Water Dogs have two coat types — wavy and curly — both of which are low-shedding but require professional grooming every six to eight weeks. The traditional trim is the working retriever cut: the rear third of the body clipped close to the skin, the front two-thirds left at medium length. Finn's rear coat had grown to match the front, losing the distinctive trim definition. We re-established the clip line across the midsection, clipped the rear and hindquarters close, and trimmed the front coat to an even two inches. The face was opened with careful scissor work. PWDs thrive in Orlando's water-rich lifestyle but need consistent grooming to prevent the curly coat from felting.
Before
Finn arrived in a working retriever cut grown completely out — curly coat covering the face, body coat dense and tangled in several sections.
After
Finn left in a clean working retriever cut: rear clipped close, front body left at medium length, face open, ears natural.
110 minServices: Full Grooming, Nail Trimming, Ear Cleaning, Teeth Cleaning
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Portuguese Water Dog back felting results from the breed's characteristic interaction with water. Nalu is an active dog with lake access — wet curly coat that isn't thoroughly dried and combed will felt within 48 hours. The back patches were too tight for any comb work; we used a longer-blade clipper to safely remove the felted sections. After clearing, scissor blending restored a uniform appearance. Owner was counseled on drying protocol after water activities: high-velocity dryer or thorough towel dry followed by combing while still slightly damp. PWD owners who use their dogs for water activities should schedule professional grooming every five weeks.
Before
Nalu's curly PWD coat had felted in patches across the back — the dense curl pattern had compressed from moisture contact without adequate home brushing.
After
Back felting cleared using a longer blade clipper on the affected sections. Coat rebuilt and blended. Shape restored.
105 minServices: De Matting, Full Grooming, Ear Cleaning
Maintenance Groom
Maintenance Trim
$68–$95
Portuguese Water Dog — Maintenance TrimDrag to compare
Before
After
Portuguese Water Dog maintenance at six weeks addresses the specific growth pattern of the working retriever cut. The rear clipped section grows fastest and loses its definition first. Diego's rear needed full re-clipping, the clip line re-established across the midsection, and the front coat trimmed back to two inches. The early felting at the withers was caught at the compression stage — before true felting — and cleared with a comb and conditioning spray. A thorough bath and blow-dry followed. This 95-minute appointment keeps Diego's distinctive PWD appearance and prevents the more intensive mat work that would be required at ten weeks.
Before
Diego was six weeks out — working retriever cut growing out, rear clip growing long, front coat beginning to felt at the withers.
After
Withers felting addressed (early-stage, responded to comb), rear re-clipped, front coat trimmed. Working retriever cut restored.
95 minServices: Bath & Brush, De Matting, Nail Trimming, Ear Cleaning
