3. Portuguese Water Dog

Historically employed by fishermen along the coast of Portugal to herd fish into nets, retrieve lost tackle, and carry messages between ships, the Portuguese Water Dog is a robust, athletic partner. They possess naturally webbed feet, which makes them incredibly powerful and efficient swimmers.

Their waterproof coat comes in tight ringlets or loose waves, usually in black, brown, or white. If you live an active lifestyle and spend your weekends near the beach or a lake, this loyal worker makes a perfect family dog. They require vigorous daily exercise; a simple walk around the block will not satisfy their high energy levels.

Owners typically keep Portuguese Water Dogs in one of two styles: a retriever clip, where the entire coat is scissored to about one inch in length, or a lion clip, where the muzzle and hindquarters are shaved close to the skin while the front half of the body remains long.