Portuguese Water Dog. Paolo Correa
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at different points of its development. Some sources claimed that it can be traced back to 700 BC in the central Asiatic steppes and to the 8th century on the Iberian Peninsula. The breed made its way to British shores as working dogs on Spanish Armada ships in the late 1500s.
In 1967, Cintron’s promise to the Bensaude family would become a reality. Bensaude’s wife contacted Cintron and told her that her husband had passed away. True to her word, Cintron was now the proud owner of all of Bensaude’s dogs. At first, Cintron knew very little about this unique breed, but that situation soon changed.
Cintron initially inherited 14 Portuguese Water Dogs from the Algarbiorum Kennel. Evidently, she was told that the dogs were difficult to breed and that many were, in fact, infertile. How very wrong these uninformed individuals were. This was soon revealed when Cintron found herself with 90 Portuguese Water Dogs to care for! A true nightmare for any breeder, despite his or her experience. Sra. Cintron’s new kennel became known as Al-Gharb.
At the same time that Cintron acquired Bensaude’s stock, the country of Portugal was experiencing severe financial difficulties. Cintron knew that she could never find appropriate homes for all of these dogs in her own country. Therefore she decided to appeal to dog lovers in the US and wrote letters to the Portuguese Embassy in Washington, DC. In her letters, she proudly described the magnificent qualities of these precious water dogs. Apparently, Cintron must have been very convincing and persuasive in her writing.
In July 1968, Deyanne and Herbert Miller from New Canaan, Connecticut acquired a breeding pair from Cintron. This would later become the start of the Portuguese Water Dog in the US. However, before discussing the breed’s development in America, I must acknowledge a few of Portugal’s outstanding Portuguese Water Dog breeders. Dr. Cabral began his own family of dogs called the Alvalade line based on Silve’s dogs. Carla Molinari inherited these dogs in her Vale Negro Kennels. Ana Victoria Ruivo, a resident of Faro, was a successful breeder for nearly 40 years. Ruivo was a major influence in establishing the breed’s type, soundness and well-being in its native land.
A WATER-LOVER BY ANY NAME
Because of its superb qualities as a water dog, the Portuguese Water Dog had several nicknames. It was known as the “Portuguese Fishing Dog”, “Diving Dog” and “Sea Dog.” Today, the breed continues to hold on to its exceptional water skills. It’s used as an efficient hunter on both land and sea and frequently participates in sanctioned events that test the breed’s water skills in recognized water-related competitions.
MODERN ADVANCEMENTS
Developments in radar methods and the use of radio and advanced equipment nearly caused the extinction of the Portuguese Water Dog. This highly intelligent working dog was also replaced by other contemporary fishing methods, which drastically reduced its popularity.
THE PORTUGUESE WATER DOG IN AMERICA
The introduction of the Portuguese Water Dog to American soil was a slow process. Like most other rare breeds that are first introduced to a particular area, it took some time for the breed to gain the respect it rightfully deserved. In 1968 Deyanne and Herbert Miller imported a bitch named Chenze, who was the first Portuguese bitch import to arrive in the US. Chenze established herself as a producer of many offspring and lived to the impressive age of 15.
Despite Chenze’s influence, many of her first offspring had some serious health problems. This made it quite difficult to find homes for her puppies and other Portuguese Water Dog litters that followed. Despite the breed’s many fine qualities, many people were unwilling to take a chance with an unfamiliar breed.
During the 1960s, when many countries, including the US, were still recovering from financial difficulties from past wars, it was hard enough to find homes for dogs of breeds that had been in the country for decades. Therefore it was nearly impossible for a rare breed that had just recently arrived to establish a stronghold and substantial following. Fortunately, there was a handful of dedicated Portuguese Water Dog fanciers that was determined to keep the breed alive and well. These individuals were committed to do their best to produce healthier and sturdier dogs. This adamant group would go on to form the first club for the breed. In 1972, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America was established. Its first president would be Herbert H. Miller, Jr.
The late Helen Roosevelt was one of the first Portuguese Water Dog owners, acquiring her first dogs in 1971. Many dogs purchased during this time period were from the Portuguese Al Gharb bloodline of Sra. Cintron. This particular line would be the last to land on American soil because of the Portuguese Revolution.
Dedicated Portuguese Water Dog aficionados loved the breed so much that they helped to overcome the obstacles that the breed faced in its early days in the US to produce sound, healthy and multi-talented dogs.
Ancora do Al Gharb arrived in the US in November 1969 and was the sire of 11 American litters. Breed interest continued to grow during the 1970s when there was a significant increase in the popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog. The Albergaria, Asaumbufa and Condinho Kennels were the dominant forces in the breed at this time.
As the 1980s rolled around, individuals like Beverly Jorgensen (longtime American breeder and fancier) were producing dogs that were fit, sound and multipurpose. In 1981, the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the breed in the Miscellaneous Class. The Portuguese Water Dog was accepted for registration in the AKC stud book in August 1983 and, by January 1984, the breed was eligible to compete in the AKC’s Working Group. Ch. Charlie de Alvalade, “Charlie,” became the first Portuguese Water Dog to become an American champion. Charlie had many admirers and was recognized for his excellent type and form.
It’s impossible to list all of them, but some other noteworthy dogs that were responsible for the breed’s development included: Ch. Farmion Geo, UD; Ch. Timber-mist Lancar Flor de Mar, and Am. Can. Ch. Jewell De Aguas Windward Lad, CDX, Can. CD, WWD, TT, CGC, PT. To go along with these illustrious dogs 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