In August of 2002 our lives changed when we picked up our two Portuguese Water Dogs, "Storm" and "Zephyr". We had been without a dog for about 4 years after Rebecca, our basset hound, had died and we were ready to take the plunge again. Donna has allergies to most dogs so we decided to look for a breed that was non-allergenic. We also wanted a dog that was active and outgoing. Our research led us to the PWD breed.
We contacted a breeder located in Lancaster, ON, on the Quebec/Ontario border, who was in the process of moving back "home" to Cape Breton, NS. On a driving trip to Ontario, we stopped in for a visit and to meet her breeding stock. What a treat! The dogs were everything we were looking for - mischevious, outgoing, fun and loving. After seeing how her dogs played together, we realized that one PWD would not be enough.
We talked to the breeder, and while she was not at first keen on the idea of giving us two dogs because they are a handful, we convinced her it was the right thing. After all, we lived on an acre and a half of land for them to run around and we lived right on the ocean giving them easy access for swimming. In addition, we both worked from home so the dogs would have company all day. A litter was due in June, and we signed up for, hopefully, a male and a female. To make things even better (for us), the breeder would be relocated to Cape Breton before the puppies were due, making it an easy 5 hour drive for us to visit and pick them up.
A litter of eight puppies was born on June 25, 2002. The breeder picked out a male and a female for us. We didn't know it at the time, but she had picked what she thought were the two with the most spunk and personality because she thought they would do well together. We drove up to Cape Breton for a visit when the puppies were three weeks old, and went back to pick them up when they were seven. What a couple of cuties! We named them after the local winds in our area. "Storm", officially "Nor'Easter of Black Rocks" is the male and "Zephyr" ("Sou'Wester of Black Rocks) is the female. It's hard to think back now to the days when they could barely pull themselves through the grass using only their front paws (PWD's are very slow developing).
As they grew and became more adventurous, we decided that we would get an Invisible Fence so that they could run free, but stay safe on our property. We tried to teach them the property boundaries, but with the lure of fresh fish all around (we are surrounded by commercial fishermen), it was impossible. Even though we live in a very rural area at the end of a small road, and all the neighbouring dogs roam freely, we felt better having them on our property where they couldn't get into too much trouble. We installed the fence and taught the dogs to obey the beep made when they get too close. It has worked very well for us (and them).
Because boats are a big part of our lives, we exposed the dogs to them at a very early age. We started by taking them out in the inflatable, thinking that we'll just row around so that the motor noise doesn't scare them. We did that for about 3 minutes and the dogs seemed so comfortable that we decided to start the engine. They didn't even flinch. The noise didn't bother them in the slightest. And that's the way it's been with all the boats (and virtually everything else we've exposed them to). Last summer we cruised to Newfoundland for a month, including a three day non-stop passage at both ends of the trip. The dogs loved it. In fact, after we got home and the dogs ran around for a bit, Storm just stood on the dock beside the dinghy waiting for his ride back out to the boat. Couldn't ask for better boat dogs. And I know you're wondering - they "went" in a tub of kitty litter that we set up in the head down below. They weren't happy about it, but they did, it once a day.
Here's a description of the breed, by Angie Potter...
A PWD is springtime on four paws. It's a happy grin, eyes brimming with innocence and a calculating mind covered in a shaggy coat cleverly concocted to invite cuddling. It's an insistent paw stripping the blankets from your shivering shoulders and a chill, damp nose muzzling your neck at sun-up. It's your shadow.
A PWD has carefully concealed coiled springs for hind legs and believes that heeling at shoulder height is perfectly acceptable practice.
A PWD can jump into the air facing north and come down facing south--removing your hat and kissing your ear in the process. A PWD is devotion with a dash of devilishness, intelligence, peppered with a sense of humour.
A PWD is a study in contrasts. He can hear you take your car keys from 5 rooms away, but can't seem to hear your shout of "come!" The sound of running water in his dish brings him to the bathroom, but the sound of running water in the tub results in his disappearance. He'll turn up his nose at his own dinner and gobble up someone else's--even though they are exactly alike. And you can always count on him to be well behaved, except when you have company.
A PWD is a glorious whirlwind of flying fur, a non-stop wag with dog attached. Or it's pleading face in the window, a paw against the pan, hoping you'll reconsider and return. A PWD is a "You're-not-alone" nudge under your elbow when you're feeling down and an inquisitive tilt of the head when you talk.
A PWD is an audience, a companion and a friend. Living with a PWD may not always be easy, but living without one is impossible.