Keeva Bay Reg'd

Hobby Breeder – The individuals tend to be the best choice. Serious and dedicated hobby breeders do not really expect to make a profit from selling puppies. They tend to take pride in what they produce and placing puppies in homes where they will be loved and cherished. Hobby breeders put a lot of energy and effort into studying and researching pedigrees, collaborating with fellow breeders and planning litters. Their selective breeding practices produces pups that are healthy with good temperaments and conformation. Pups are placed with care in homes with responsible, committed individuals or families.

The following is a checklist that you can use to establish whether or not your breeder is reputable:

1. They are members in good standing, of both National breed clubs in Canada and the United States.
2. They are members of the Canadian Kennel Club in good standing.
3. Their name appears on the breeder’s contact list for either the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada and/or America.
4. They show their dogs and have a good reputation with other breeders.
5. They offer a contract that includes health guarantees and a reasonable period of time to have the pups examined by a veterinarian after purchase. Most reputable breeders will have their pups vet checked prior to placement. First shots and deworming is also standard practice.
6. They provide written instructions on feeding, training, car and grooming of your Portuguese Water Dog.
7. They provide documentation for GM-1 testing, Optigen testing, current CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) and hip x-ray results (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), JDCM (marker test for Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy- heart disorder resulting in puppy death) on BOTH parents.
8. They disclose any other high risk health issue that may be evident in the pedigree.
9. They offer coaching and consultation after the puppy has gone home, if needed.
10. They make it clear in the contract that if you are unable to continue ownership of the dog, that new owners must be approved by them or returned to the breeder for placement in a new home.
11. Provide extensive references – both from their veterinarian, past puppy purchasers and fellow breeders.
12. They require your pet to be spayed or neutered as there is a firm commitment to maintaining a high quality breeding program.
13. The puppy home environment is clean and live in the home and not in a kennel or barn. Emphasis is placed on socializing pups before placement.

Conscientious breeders ask a lot of questions that you might find personal in nature and they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy until getting to know you a bit better. Do not take offence. Dedicated breeders are genuinely interested in finding quality homes for their puppies.