The recent updated and published STANDARD for the PWDs by the Portuguese Kennel Club (http://racas.cpc.pt/   http://racas.cpc.pt/en/standards/agua.pdf) has apparently raised questions 'among certain breeders and judges'. On one side those who for decades embarked in breeding particolor dogs, ended up with the results to be seen at dog shows in North America and North Europe (Holland & Scandinavian). The standard mentions only the colors approved - black, brown and white.  Black and brown allows only very little white (see the standard). However black dogs can show tones that range from solid black (preferably) to slate, grey and even rusty effects. The brown show also tones that range from dark brown (preferably) to light brown. IF this different tones are present in black, brown PWDs, WHY should the white coat in white PWD be DIFFERENT.  The white coat in white PWDs can also range from snow white (preferably) to light cream, as long as the nose, lips and eye rims stay dark.  Eye color as dark as possible (black or dark brown). Coat texture also plays a role - shiny in wavies and dull in curlies.  The white PWD like often white breeds (Samoyed, Japanese, Spitz, Maltese, Poodle etc) can show a winter nose, to be accepted as long as pigmentation on eye rims and mouth stay black. The confusion in the mind of those less informed breeders, or judges, is understandable as they show lack of experience of having seen or own a white PWD. The 'STANDARD' is the ideal for the breed and is to be followed for the welfare of the breed and avoid genetic deviations such as long muzzle & necks, bad placed and long ears, brindle, black & tan (typical of hounds) and particolor (not typical for PWDs) etc. Astonishing is the fact that those who claimed 'wrongly' that PWD were in extinction (only 15 dogs in the world) forgetting to mention the unregistered dogs (fishermen did not have the cash for registration), did not claimed all colors excepted. Note: in achieves of Vasco Bensaude there was no deference to PWDs being extinction.   LONG LIVE THE PORTUGUESE WATER DOG. Augusto Guimaraes De Gifford PWDs forever