were the breeders, handlers and owners who were responsible for their great accomplishments. MaryAnne Murray (Brinmar Kennel) was the first owner-handler to put a conformation championship on a Portuguese Water Dog in the US. Cathy Kalb (Camerell Kennel) made her mark on the breed by excelling in the performance arena. Many of her dogs excelled in both obedience and agility. One of her most famous dogs was Call Me Cooper, CDX, AWD, AAD, ROM. Cooper was the first dog of any breed to obtain the Agility Dog title.
Those who have gotten to know the Portuguese Water Dog and discovered all of its wonderful attributes are hooked!
The list continues with Jane Harding (Cutwater Kennel), who produced over 40 conformation champions. Steven Dostie (Downeast Kennel), William J. Trainor (Farmion Kennel), Karen and Bob Arends (Seabreeze Kennel) and Robin Zaremba (Windward Kennel) are just some of the other top-notch Portuguese Water Dog powerhouses who made their mark on the breed. Many of them continue to do so, even to the present day.
THE PORTUGUESE WATER DOG IN THE UK
Upon its arrival, the Portuguese Water Dog was even less popular in England than in its early days in the US. The breed first arrived in the UK in the 1950s, and most if not all of these original imports eventually died out. It wasn’t until 1979 and 1980 that the breed was imported once again. Trish Gilpin and Paddy Holbrook O’Hara can be credited with the breed’s resurrection in the UK.
Gilpin would be responsible for importing a pair of dogs that would later start the Glenwhin line. O’Hara imported two dogs by the names of Eveil and Panta de Alvalade, which were evidently given to a woman named Miss Pat Jones, who would later start the Cartmel line. In 1984, Cartmel the Fisherman would be the first of the breed to be exhibited at Crufts in Any Variety (AV). It wasn’t until 1989 that the PWD had the first class of its own at the National Working Breeds Championship Show. By 1991, the Portuguese Water Dog had its own class at Crufts.
During the 1990s, the breed made a slow but upward spiral in popularity in the UK. A handful of British kennels have come into their own in recent years and have begun producing dogs that are of improved quality. Ruth and David Bussell (Brigantia Kennel), Cheryl Ducket (Coparit Kennel), Nigel Barrow (Elmley Kennel), Jayne Johns (Gemsons Kennel), Trish Gilpin (Glenwhin), Carol Queen (Grandways), Rachael Reddin (Rarjo), Sue Tweedie (Rysalka) and Patricia Jones (Cartmel) are some of the most respected and influential.
IS THE PORTUGUESE WATER DOG RIGHT FOR YOU?
If you’ve been thinking about acquiring a Portuguese Water Dog, odds are you’ve probably started the research that’s necessary before purchasing any breed of dog. You are prepared to commit yourself to dog ownership, and your interest in the PWD has led you to learn all you can about the breed. The Portuguese Water Dog’s dedicated group of breeders and fanciers have worked hard to maintain the breed’s stability. Breeders are very selective with their owners and do their very best to place dogs where they are most likely to receive the love and care they rightfully deserve.
LIVING UP TO ITS NAME
As its name suggests, the Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent swimmer and diver. They have been known to leap great distances into the water and submerge themselves several feet deep into the water. When the breed was first introduced hundreds of years ago, they were frequently called upon to dive off fishing vessels to retrieve broken fishing gear and to herd schools of fish into nets.
The Portuguese Water Dog is extremely bright and active. Its uncanny intelligence can be very challenging to new owner(s). Portuguese Water Dog puppies can be very demanding. They require constant attention and cherish family interaction right through adulthood. They can be sensitive and should always be trained with positive reinforcement. If you choose a young puppy, expect him to chew anything that is easily accessible. The young Portuguese Water Dog has even been known to eat plants and other vegetation right down to the roots! They should be heavily supervised at all times and safely crated if left for extended periods of time.
The Portuguese Water Dog comes in two different coat types: wavy and curly; both types are equally acceptable. They have a robust stature and webbed toes, with a well-balanced and muscled physique. They are tremendous swimmers and have unique diving skills; these are rugged dogs that love to work outdoors. The breed’s athleticism and intelligence have allowed it to excel in agility, flyball, obedience and even tracking. They are quick learners and eager to please their owners. At the same time, they can be extremely sensitive and their feelings are easily hurt.
The Portuguese Water Dog has sometimes been described as the “clown” of the water dog family. They seem to have sudden bursts of energy that come out of nowhere. Frequently, they can be found sitting calm and motionless. Then, only minutes later, they will be running around from room to room in an excited way. If you are looking for a calm, docile dog, the Portuguese Water Dog may not be the right one for you. They have a unique sense of humor that doesn’t always sit well with some individuals. Daily exercise, and plenty of it, is an absolute necessity for the breed. A PWD is best suited to the active owner who enjoys long walks to an open field or park, or frequent visits to the beach or lake. The breed’s excellent retrieving abilities make them good flying-disc dogs and perfect companions for simple fetching games.
WINNERS IN WATER
The PWDCA (Portuguese Water Dog Club of America) sanctions water trials that simulate many ancient functions of the breed. The club has underwater and fish net retrievals, message delivery (from one boat to another) and a measured distance swim. The Portuguese Water Dog enjoys these competitive water events, and these activities keep the dog in maximum shape and condition.
Even though they are phenomenally successful as water dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs are just as valuable as family companions.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a quick learner. This is the reason why the breed has done very well in all types of performance and sporting activities. They love to please their owners and will go to extremes to do so. They are energetic, affectionate and trustworthy, and they thrive on human attention. They bond very easily. Despite the breed’s loyalty to its owners and immediate family, it can be reserved with strangers. In fact, PWDs make good watchdogs and will bark to alert you of possible danger when confronted with a stranger or the arrival of an unfamiliar car or person. The breed’s bravery and independence are easily recognizable. The breed does very well with children and other animals. The Portuguese Water Dog’s high energy will keep both the dog and your child busy for hours while they enjoy each other’s company in play. Of course, any dogs and young children should always be supervised.
The Portuguese Water Dog is an extremely agile flying-disc dog.
He eagerly awaits the throw and then brings it back for a repeat performance.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
The male Portuguese Water Dog stands 20 to 23 inches and is usually between 42 to 60 pounds. The female version of the breed is smaller. She
