THE VERSATILE PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
“For some PWDs, the work that they excel in is as a Service or Therapy Dog. While not as “drive-y” a job, these dogs still use the exceptional intelligence, bravery, loyalty, and stamina repeatedly mentioned in the Breed Standard.”
The 2021 National BISS winner is breeder/owner-handled to Rally, Agility and Water titles. photos provided by author
Hospital Therapy: photo by Colleen Bragg
Reading Therapy: ‘Harvey,’ who also happens to be the 2019 SUPERDOG. They are versatile! photo by Amanda Ellery
with their people and enjoy participating in anything you throw at them. When you have a structurally sound dog, they should excel in both the performance AND con- formation rings. These are ‘working’ dogs and should be built, physically and men- tally, to complete many tasks in a day’s work. That’s something we, as breed- ers, should always strive to produce. We don’t want to lose the ‘working’ in our ‘working dogs.’” In short, it is important to remember that the PWD NEEDS a JOB to DO— usually more than one! They can shift from activity to activity in the blink of an eye. I cross-train for Water Work in the Obedience rings and Agility field. Several of my dogs got bored with “running water drills” and so we had to make up alternate activities to maintain interest. The Por- tuguese Water Dog is limited only by the handler’s time and interest. The breed can, and will, do anything.
For some PWDs, the work that they excel in is as a Service or Therapy Dog. While not as “drive-y” a job, these dogs still use the exceptional intelligence, bravery, loyalty, and stamina repeatedly mentioned in the Breed Standard. Many of these dogs also hold multiple titles. “Deja” is follow- ing in his sire, Jack’s, versatile footsteps. In addition to his Service Dog work, “Jack” was titled in Conformation, Agility, Obe- dience, and PWDCA Water Work. Deja, while learning to serve as a fully trained Service Dog guide, has also been training for Water Work, and has earned his breed Championship. (He enjoys FastCat as a way to relax!) Here’s a quote from the breeder of the 2021 National BISS GCHP MACH “Smolder” RA MXG MJG T2B OF CA DCAT RATO CGC WWD GROM: “What I love about this breed is they are such willing workers that are up for any- thing! They love nothing more than to be
‘Deja’ FastCAT
Martha Ruskai is a PWDCA Water Trial Judge with over 30 years in the breed. She owner- handles in Conformation as well as Obedience, Agility, Tricks, and of course, PWDCA Water Work, with two Courier Excellent-titled dogs… and one getting closer. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
‘Deja’ Conformation
316 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2021
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