I was the owner and breeder of Chows from 1970 until 2000, I
successfully showed and got championships for at least 35 of
the Chows I owned. I always maintained a small kennel with no more
then 6 dogs at one time, as I felt I could give more time to
each dog.
My husband and I bought a retirement home with 8 acres on the Mira
River in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, where I was born. We
wanted a breed that loves the water and boating, as we both love
doing this. I was trying to decide which breed would suit us best,
when I discovered the Portuguese water dog. I was at a dog show
when I saw this beautiful dog being shown. I fell in love with his
personality and looks. After researching the breed for 2 years
we decided, yes, this is the breed we were looking for.
I bought my first female, Maggie, a wavy black with some white,
Porty, and brought her home. I fell in love with her. Maggie
got us hooked on the Portuguese. We took her to Cape Breton
with us, and she immediately took to the water. I think it was
the best summer we had in Cape Breton, as Maggie kept us
laughing all the time.
We decided Maggie needed a friend, so we bought Molly. She is a black
and white wavy. Maggie loves her as if Molly was her own pup. We
lived on a canal in Lancaster, Ontario, and Maggie would dive into the canal
and catch fish for Molly to eat. Molly, of course, is as much fun as
Maggie. They are devoted to each other.
After doing the health clearances on Maggie, we decided to breed her.
We found a handsome male for her. Louise Turcotte, the owner of
Ch. Scrimshow's Chester of Lolika, met my husband and me and Maggie.
She fell in love with Maggie, and approved the breeding with her
handsome boy. Chester is a very gentle, sweet dog. He is a black
curly. Chester, of course, also has his health clearances. Chester
and Maggie loved each other on sight, so the breeding was successful.
We had our first litter in April of 2001. This is a wonderful breed. They
are a lot more active than my chows, and are so much fun!!!
A strong swimmer and diver, the Portuguese Water Dog, known as
Can D'augo in his homeland, is said to be able to shinny up a rope in
traditional seaman fashion. The breed was most numerous in the seaports
of the Iberian peninsula, where the dogs worked as members of the fishing
boat's crew retrieving fish and fishing gear, as guards and sometimes
rescue dogs, and carrying messages from boat to boat to shore. The dogs
are reported to have performed this courier service for the Spanish fleet
during the battle of Trafalgar. The breed was brought to the United States
in the late 1960's and is now becoming more known in Canada. The
PWD is muscular, brave, loyal and obedient. Males measure from 20
to 23 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 42 to 60 pounds. Females are
proportionately smaller. There are two coat varieties: wavy and curly.
Both are classified as single and non-shedding. Colours are black, white,
and various shades of brown, or black or brown with white. For showing
purposes CKC approved breed standard stipulates that the dogs may be
shown in lion clip or retriever clip. The breed is an ideal choice for the
water sports enthusiast, or just to have fun with.
