The Portuguese Water Dog provides an indelible impression of strength, spirit, and soundness. The ideal is 22 inches. The ideal is 19 inches. Roundish and neither prominent nor sunken. Black or various tones of brown in color.
Darker eyes are preferred.
Haws are dark and not apparent. Leather is heart shaped and thin. Except for a small opening at the back, ears are held nicely against the head. Tips should not reach below the lower jaw. When viewed head-on, the top of the skull is very broad and appears domed, with a slight depression in the middle.