Frequently Asked Questions
Can you describe the Ideal Puppy Owner?
Sure! In three words: time, activity, and relationship.
Time - Because a Spanish Water Dog is so social, they are really not happy when left alone. Someone with a full time career which will keep them away from home for hours each day really cannot provide the relationship that this breed needs. Even having another dog or two at home will not make up for time at your side.
Activity - These dogs are not couch potatoes! They are working dogs. They thrive on going, doing, and accomplishing. They don’t just like activity, they NEED it. If you want a dog that lays around all day, consider another breed. Yes, the SWD has an off switch, but it is a temporary setting, not a lifestyle. And the best kind of activity is one done at your side.
Relationship - We want our woolly babies to be happy, so a Puppy Parent will need to provide focused, loving attention. This dog will give his life for you. The ideal owner will do the same for him. When you look into the eyes of a SWD, you can see his soul and also the depth of love that he has for you. Being left alone will break his heart.
Can you ship My puppy?
No. You need to come and pick up your puppy. The thought of a baby animal being boxed up and mailed or flown somewhere without an escort makes us shiver. Delivery is a possibility as long as there’s not a world-wide pandemic scheduled. Usually I deliver about half the puppies from each litter. The cost will depend on the price of an airline ticket from Orlando Airport (MCO) to a major airport near you. If you’re interested in delivery, together we can research some flight possibilities and come up with a plan that will work for both of us.
Can I come meet the mother and the other puppies?
Certainly. Lucy is a dedicated and affectionate mother. Bhumi (pronounced "Boomie") is an amazing athlete, muscular, energetic yet surprisingly affectionate. He’s also a highly-trained and accomplished field dog. Nico is incredibly sweet and affectionate. His acrobatics are amazing and hilarious. He actually prances when he walks! We also own one of Lucy's grown puppies, Bella. She is adorable, alert, intelligent, active, agile, playful, loving, yet cautious and protective. It takes a little bit of time for her to warm up to you. Contact us and we'll set up a time when you can come for a visit. We only ask that you be considerate of the needs of our dogs and our family.
What have you been feeding the puppy?
Great question! So glad you asked about this. We’re using Royal Canin Puppy Food for Medium sized dogs. While the puppies are small, we soak the kibbles in plenty of water for at least 20 minutes. This makes the food soft and easy for the pups to chew. You can continue to use this brand or you can switch to the brand of your choice. We simply ask that any changes you make to your puppy's diet are made gradually.
Were the parents medically Tested?
Yes! The sire and dam have had their hips and eyes cleared by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Both will have had 3 genetic tests for PRA (progressive Retinal Atrophy), PRA, early onset SWD, and CHG (Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter). We’ll send your puppy home with copies of all these test results for both sire and dam.
Is this a puppy mill?
Nope! We have valuable dogs who are dearly loved and pampered. They came from two of the very best kennels in the world devoted exclusively to Spanish Water Dogs. We share our heart and our home, and often our bed with them. They live inside with us under the same conditions that we do. They play outside with us and with each other. During house training we do keep them in crates between walks, but generally they have the run of large areas of our house and yard. The vet's office seems like our second home lately with prenatal and postnatal care, vaccinations, and well puppy checks. Additionally we've invested thousands of dollars on medical testing to assure new puppy owners that these dogs are healthy. We follow the code of ethical breeding as our operating guide. And we most definitely will never sell a puppy to a pet store or research lab!
What if something happens and I can no longer take care of this dog?
We sincerely hope that this will never happen to you! But if it does, contact us and tell us what has happened. We are willing to take the dog back. We are ultimately responsible for each and every dog that we release into the world. And that's why we want to make every effort to place these pups into the hands of people who will be able to take care of them and love them for the rest of their lives.
What vaccines were My puppy given?
It will depend on when you pick up your pup. This is the schedule we follow for the core vaccines:
6-8 weeks - Distemper, measles, parainfluenza
12 weeks - DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus)
12 weeks - Rabies
14-16 weeks - DHPP
If you have different wishes, let us know and we'll work to accommodate you once you have submitted a deposit for your puppy. We trust you to make the right decisions for YOUR puppy.
Will you give me a Contract of Sale?
Yes, definitely. It will assure you that the puppies have been socialized in a home environment and have been wormed and vaccinated according to our vet’s protocol. The puppy's health will be certified by Dr. Robert Irelan, DVM in Lakeland, Florida.
how Big will my Spanish water dog get?
Spanish Water Dogs are wonderfully medium sized. Not too big. Not too small. They generally are as high as your knees at their shoulder. There are several adult dogs in our home, so when you come for a visit, you'll get a picture of their size at various ages. Males grow to be approximately between 17" to 20" tall and weigh 40 to 50 lbs. Females grow to be between 15" to 18" tall and weigh 30 to 40 lbs.
what Dog Training Program do you recommend?
Dog training is actually dog owner training in disguise. Having access to a personal trainer near your home is the deluxe strategy, but we have found a few DVDs and online programs that are quite helpful as well as affordable.
We have thoroughly enjoyed Ian Dunbar's "Sirius Dog Training," a reward-based program. We highly recommend his material. His books, articles, and dvds are fun, entertaining, and they work! You can find his online program at DunbarAcademy.com. There are free classes as well as various membership programs..
Will you give me her KEnnel Club registration forms?
YES! All of our puppies are registered with the United Kennel Club. If you want to additionally register your puppy with the American Kennel Club through their Open Registration Program, you can fill out the forms and send them a copy of the UKC registration document that we provide.
Will you give me a Health certificate for My puppy?
Yes, of course! Right before we release your puppy, we will bring him to our vet for another complete health inspection. Our vet will issue the official certificate that ensures that your puppy is healthy and ready to travel. Our guarantee is that your puppy is healthy, has been wormed, and is up to date on vaccinations. But you will need to schedule an appointment with your own vet within 3 days after your receive him in order to verify that your puppy was healthy when you received him.
How do I care for a Spanish Water Dog's coat?
The SWD is a rustic herding dog. Their coat does not require much care. No brushing. No combing. No blow drying! Your pup's coat only needs sheering once a year. According to the breed Standard, no part of her coat is to be left longer than another. However, we like to sheer our dogs several times a year. We find it easier to keep their coats short since we spend a lot of time outdoors in the woods. If you want to let your dog’s coat grow out into cords, it takes a bit of effort to make that happen. We’ll coach you and send you some videos and articles that can help. But finding a local groomer or SWD owner who is experienced with cording would definitely be ideal. If not attended to properly, your dog’s coat will form numerous thick mats which will need to be shaved off. But this is a process that won’t happen for several months after you bring your puppy home. So if you’re interested in cords, let me know, and we’ll begin that conversation.
Not a puppy mill!
Lucy says, “Actually, truth be told, I’m rather pampered.”