Helpful PWD Links

These links will help you learn more about the breed, activities and competitions, and health concerns that pertain to this athletic, social and incredibly bright breed. When you follow these links, please use your browser's back button to come back to our site. If you come across any dead links, please send an email to our web steward.

The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Club (PWDCA) is the national club for our breed, and has almost any information that you may want to know about the PWD!

Our PWDCA National Specialty Show has it's own web site! This event occurs every year and is hosted by a different U.S. regional club. The event lasts about 7 days and it's a great time to see a trillion PWDs, well maybe not that many ... and get to meet new friends.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a plethera of information, from breed standards to all dog shows and events in any given region. There's also infomation on tracking rules & regulations, titles, and a beginner’s guide. In addition, you may search for information on upcoming AKC tracking trials using their Event Search. You can also learn more about AKC agility rules & regulations, titles, and there's an agility beginner’s guide for you to look through. And, the AKC also offers obedience trials, with lots of information to help you better understand the sport.

PWD Health Links

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) - mission is to improve the health and well being of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of orthopedic and genetic disease. They are most commonly known for certifying hips and elbows of canines.

University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PENNHIP) is a not-for-profit program wholly owned and operated by the University of Pennsylvania with a mission to develop and apply evidence-based technology to direct appropriate breeding strategies aimed at reducing in frequency and severity the osteoarthritis of canine hip dysplasia.

The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) is dedicated to the elimination of heritable eye disease in purebred dogs through registration and research. Many PWDs are examined by an optometrist on a yearly basis to maintain their CERF certification.

The mission of the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation is to generate significant resources for funding research of genetic and other canine diseases to improve the quality of life and health of our Portuguese Water Dog companions.

The Georgie Project is a collaboration between owners and breeders of Portuguese Water Dogs and scientists at the University of Utah. Since 1996, scientists have collected information from PWDs via blood samples, Xray and cheek swabs and have carried out multiple research projects specific to diseases found in our breed. The January 2009 River Readings has a full article on the Georgie Project.

Agility Links

Many local dog training clubs offer agility classes; and there are a variety of associations that offer trials throughout the Twin Cities and the tri-state areas. The AKC website includes information on their agility rules & regulations, titles, beginner’s guide and many other resources. In addition, you may search for information on upcoming AKC agility trials using their Event Search.

The United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. (USDAA) is another organization that offers agility trials and titling. There's also a calendar of events listing all their agility events through out the country.

NADAC or the North American Dog Agility Council is yet a third organization that offers agility trials and titling.

The Minnesota Agility Club (MAC) is a LOCAL organization that holds sanctioned competitions throughout the state. They have a variety of competitions both indoor and outdoors, and each is sanctioned by organizations such as the AKC, USDAA or NADAC.

Obedience Links

The AKC website includes information on obedience rules & regulations, titles, beginner’s guide and many other resources. In addition, you may search for information on upcoming obedience trials using their Event Search.

Canine Good Citizen is an AKC certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.

AKC Puppy Star is a new program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start by providing an incentive program certification for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.

Water Work Links

The PWDCA site contains information on water work including the water trial manual, list of water trial judges, and approved water trials. In addition, you may search for information on upcoming obedience trials using their Event Search.

Tracking Links

The AKC Tracking section includes information on tracking rules & regulations, titles, beginner’s guide and many other resources. In addition, you may search for information on upcoming AKC tracking trials using their Event Search.

For a full listing of ALL regional PWD clubs, please visit the pwdca regional club page.

PDF listing the many titles available to PWDs

Some of the photos on our site were taken by these fine photographers:
Amy Johnson, Great Dane Photos
Chris Gernentz, Footprints Studios
Creative Indulgence Photography
Laurie J. Erickson Photography
Lisa Sponsler, Dog Agility Photos
Marsha Kingsley Photography