Why Us?

At Montara Portuguese Water Dogs, we believe responsible breeding means preserving the qualities that make the Portuguese Water Dog such an exceptional breed — intelligence, athleticism, sound structure, stable temperament, and versatility.

Our breeding dogs are fully health tested according to Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) recommendations, including important breed-specific testing such as JDCM, GM1, MO, eye, and orthopedic evaluations. We carefully evaluate temperament, structure, and pedigree before considering any breeding.

We strongly believe purposeful breeding should include AKC conformation evaluation and/or additional titles. Conformation titles such as CH (Champion) and GCH (Grand Champion), which appear before a dog’s name on a pedigree, demonstrate that the dog has been independently evaluated against the official breed standard for proper structure, movement, and breed type. Additional titles appearing after a dog’s name reflect achievements in areas such as obedience, agility, rally, therapy work, and other performance events.

To us, titles matter because they help demonstrate that a dog is not only healthy and beautiful, but also trainable, stable, versatile, and representative of the breed’s intended purpose.

Our dogs are first and foremost beloved family members. They are raised in our home, extensively socialized, and thoughtfully prepared to become confident companions, therapy prospects, performance dogs, and cherished family pets.

We breed only on a limited basis and remain committed to every puppy we produce for its entire lifetime. Responsible breeding is not simply about producing puppies — it is about protecting and preserving this remarkable breed for future generations.

What to Look for in a Breeder

Not all breeders share the same goals or standards. We encourage prospective puppy families to carefully research breeders and ask thoughtful questions before bringing home a puppy.

A responsible breeder should:

• Complete comprehensive breed-specific health testing

• Be knowledgeable about pedigrees and temperament

• Participate in conformation, working, or performance events

• Raise puppies in a home environment with early socialization

• Provide lifetime support for their puppy families

• Use contracts that protect both the dog and the buyer

• Always be willing to take back a dog they have bred, regardless of age or circumstance

Be cautious of breeders who cannot provide health clearances, breed multiple litters frequently, avoid discussing pedigree or temperament, or focus primarily on availability and payment rather than proper placement.

Our goal has never been to simply produce puppies. We breed on a limited basis with the intention of preserving the health, temperament, structure, and versatility of the Portuguese Water Dog for future generations.