PWD History
The Portuguese Water Dog derives from water dogs of ancient times. It is known 'water dogs' were used pre christian times along the mediterranian coastline. Even before, sacred texts mention water dogs were valued above all other canines.
It is thought the breed is some 700 years old. A monks account of a PWD rescueing a drowning fisherman dates to 1297. 'black dog of rough hair cut to the first rib, and with a tuft on the tip of it's tail.
A working dog of excellent swimmng abilities, The PWD was extensively employed by the fishermen of The Algarve. A courrier, taking messages from boat to boat, or boat to shore. A hearder of fish. A retriever of nets and fishing tackle lost overboard. A prized loyal guard and companion.
The advet of technology very nearly saw the demise of The PWD. Their once important role as a crew member was taken over by radio, haulage equipment and radar. No longer needed, numbers fell drasically, until it was thought there were only 25 PWD's in existance.
With so few remaining, The Portuguese Water Dog was listed in The Guiness Book Of World Records as the rarest breed of dog and at one time were even kept at Lisbon Zoo.
In the 1930's Vasco Bensaude, shipping magnate and man with a keen interest in dogs, was told by friends Fernandes Marques and Pinto Soares, about a 'magnificent working cao de agua'. The owner wasn't keen on letting his dog go but somehow Bensaude aquired 'Leao'.
Dual Champion Leao 1931-1942
PWD's in The UK
The PWD was first introduced into The UK during the 1950's. Due to lack of interest the breed didn't gain a foothold and soon died out.
It was in the early 1980's when Paddy Holbrook O-Hara (Appleacre) and Trish Gilpin (Glenwhin) each independantly imported a pair of Portuguese Water Dogs.
After having one litter from Dana De Alvalade At Appleacre x Devil De Alvalade At Appleacre, Ms Holbrook O-Hara gifted these two dogs to Miss Pat Jones, who established her Cartmel line of PWD's.
Trish Gilpin sucessfully bred her import Balalaika De Alvalade At Glenwhin to Devil, and
shortly after imported Poruguese Champion Josefina De Azambuja At Glenwhin, who was already in whelp to Portuguese Champion Batel De Alvalade. It is from these few dogs that many of the now PWD's decend. More imports from the continent and The USA have widened the gene pool.
Having been on The Kennel Club Rare Breed Register for numerous years, The PWD was granted Champion status in 2007.
Bregantia The X Factor At Winterkloud
Alfie was the first PWD to be awarded a Kennel Club Challenge Certificate.
Crufts 2007, Judge PWD Breed Specialist Carla Molinari
The first two UK PWD Champions, Cartmel Sea Goblet and Cartmel Fantasy, were bred by the late Pat Jones. We still have only a handful of UK champions to date