It's important for you as a potential puppy buyer to get clear on what you want in a Water Dog.

Do the parents have all of their Health Clearances? If not, why not?

The parent club, PWDCA, has very clear recommendations with respect to the Health Clearances expected for breeding dogs. These are: an OFA Certificate stating that the dog is free from Hip Dysplasia, an Optigen Rating, which details the dog's genetic status with respect to Progressive Retinal Atropy, GM-1 Rating (Storage Disease) and a current CERF Certificate (eye exam). The PWDCA does not recommend breeding underage dogs, i.e. under 2 years of age, because they cannot obtain a final OFA rating before that time. Occasionally responsible breeders will breed their dogs before the age of 2 and will have good reasons for doing so. This is not commonplace, and a good breeder will be able to tell you why the breeding occurred. A breeder who consistently breeds bitches before the age of 2 should cause you concern!

Are you interested in a pet specifically? If so, then do not allow yourself to become obligated to show and breed your dog. Showing a dog is an enormous commitment in terms of time as well as money. It can cost several thousand dollars to show a PWD to his/her championship, and the coat of the PWD must be meticulously maintained throughout the period that the dog is being shown, which is often several months. That means, you can't take your dog running in the woods or swimming in the local pond, etc. Plan on paying to have your dog bathed and blown out professionally on a weekly basis during this time. Plan also on the likelihood that your dog will not be with you for extended periods of time if he/she is being shown by a professional handler.

Breeding your dog is serious business. Not every dog that obtains its AKC Championship needs to be bred, and many, many of them should not be bred!

Obtaining all of your dog's health clearances is very important as well as costly. You MUST be willing to be responsible for the puppies that you produce for their entire lifetimes. Many breeders get older dogs (upwards of 7 years) when families break up, their priorities change or the owner dies. It is especially difficult for these dogs to be re-homed, and they are not the responsibility of PWDCA Rescue. You shouldn't even attempt to breed your dog without the assistance of an experienced mentor, until you have demonstrated a good working knowledge of pedigrees, simple genetics, and the health issues present in your dog's pedigree. Preferably the person from whom you purchased your dog will guide you in these matters. If you know that you're not capable of taking someone else's advice for the first several breedings, or if you have no confidence in your breeder, then it would be best for all if you neuter your dog.

But I just want a pet!

If you are specifically interested in a Water Dog for companionship, then be very clear with the breeder that those are your intentions, and move on if the breeder attempts to steer you in another direction. Contrary to what you may believe, you can find the right puppy in a reasonable period of time. Be patient, and work with a reputable breeder.