Labrador Retriever vs Portuguese Water Dog

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Labrador Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, Labrador Retriever offers Large compared to Portuguese Water Dog's Medium. When it comes to weight, Labrador Retriever offers 55-80 lbs compared to Portuguese Water Dog's 35-60 lbs. When it comes to height, Labrador Retriever offers 21-25 inches compared to Portuguese Water Dog's 17-23 inches.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two breeds.

Size
Labrador Retriever
Large
Portuguese Water Dog
Medium
Weight
Labrador Retriever
55-80 lbs
Portuguese Water Dog
35-60 lbs
Height
Labrador Retriever
21-25 inches
Portuguese Water Dog
17-23 inches
Lifespan
Labrador Retriever
10-12 years
Portuguese Water Dog
11-13 years
Temperament
Labrador Retriever
FriendlyActiveOutgoing
Portuguese Water Dog
AffectionateAdventurousAthletic
Group
Labrador Retriever
Sporting
Portuguese Water Dog
Working
Origin
Labrador Retriever
Canada
Portuguese Water Dog
Portugal

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever is a large Sporting breed from Canada. Known for being friendly, active, outgoing. Has an average lifespan of 10-12 years and a weight range of 55-80 lbs.

Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dog is a medium Working breed from Portugal. Known for being affectionate, adventurous, athletic. Has an average lifespan of 11-13 years and a weight range of 35-60 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeLabrador RetrieverPortuguese Water DogVerdict
SizeLargeMediumLabrador Retriever is the larger breed
Weight55-80 lbs35-60 lbsLabrador Retriever is heavier (approx. 42% difference)
Height21-25"17-23"Different heights (21-25" vs 17-23")
Life Span10-12 yrs11-13 yrsPortuguese Water Dog tends to live longer (11-13 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingWorkingDifferent groups: Sporting vs Working
OriginCanadaPortugalDifferent origins: Canada vs Portugal
TemperamentFriendly, Active, OutgoingAffectionate, Adventurous, AthleticDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Labrador Retriever bigger than a Portuguese Water Dog?

Labrador Retriever is the larger breed. Labrador Retriever weighs 55-80 lbs while Portuguese Water Dog weighs 35-60 lbs.

Which lives longer, Labrador Retriever or Portuguese Water Dog?

Portuguese Water Dog tends to live longer (11-13 vs 10-12 years)

Are Labrador Retrievers and Portuguese Water Dogs good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Labrador Retriever is known for being friendly, active, outgoing, while the Portuguese Water Dog is affectionate, adventurous, athletic.

What is the difference between a Labrador Retriever and a Portuguese Water Dog?

The main differences are in size (Large vs Medium), origin (Canada vs Portugal), and breed group (Sporting vs Working).

Which breed is easier to train, Labrador Retriever or Portuguese Water Dog?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Labrador Retriever (Friendly, Active, Outgoing) and Portuguese Water Dog (Affectionate, Adventurous, Athletic) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.