The Portuguese Water Dog is originally from the Algarve region of Portugal. Only 48 Portuguese Water Dogs were entered for Britain's Crufts competition in the year 2009[10] and the author of The New Complete Portuguese Water Dog, Kitty Braund, believes there are about 50,000 in North America.[11] Due to its fleecy coat of minimally shedding hair,[12] the Portuguese Water Dog is considered a hypoallergenic dog breed.[13]