Burntwood PWD's

Healthy Diet

    Brenda researched a diet that would not only be healthy for all canines, but was beneficial for the specific breeds that led to the creation of the Portuguese Water Dog (PWD).  Through this, we have continued a line starting in 2003 that has NEVER been to the veterinarian, other than for testing, immunizations, elective surgery (such as spay/neuter), or the spontaneous love-for-life incidents that pets are prone to.  In other words, genetic issues, deteriorating healthy, even cancer, have all failed to plague our lines.  Our adult dogs are blessed.  Their coats glisten with minimal maintenance, their skin is enviably free of issues, their teeth are pearly white without ever the need for a dental cleaning.  In a way, it’s not fair.

    Our puppies are supplemented with fresh goat milk in addition to their nursing, and their parents have a daily diet of raw food, cooked food, as well as supplementary, high-quality kibble.  Our dogs eat muscle and organ meats daily, cooked and raw vegetables, fruits, and trusted, holistic kibble.  We also regularly give them doses of probiotics, supplements, vitamins, and spices and herbs that are meant to promote and support a healthy and happy gut, leading to a happy and healthy life for each of our pets.  They have strong, muscular chests and legs, healthy coats, dental health, and much more to pass on to the next generation of beloved household pets.

    If you'd like to read up more on the subject of healthy diets, then please visit this page's subsection, accessible by hovering over the navigation link above.  A lot of research and love went into it over the years, and we personally view it as an invaluable resource.

Genetic Testing

     Brenda has been amazing about genetic testing, and even has the results of her lines posted in the About Our Dogs section.  Jackie has been... a touch more lackadaisical about it, but seeks to use first litter finds to bite the financial bullet and get the tests done.  Our lines have been reliable and clean, as have Zeus' bloodline.  That said, we still aim to get that taken care of as soon as possible.

Intelligent Dog Breeds and Stimulation

     This is a topic that we strongly recommend you research outside of this website.  Intelligent breeds are smart, and sometimes, a new owner will grow to realize that it's not an appreciated trait for the sort of owner-pet life they expect.  For example, we had Morocco, our first male, get a bit stir-crazy when a female in heat was removed from the house for the day, to give him a break from her.  By the time Jackie woke up that morning, she couldn't find him anywhere.  She called for him, looked behind closed doors, inspected the yard, no sign of him.  She called Brenda, admitting she didn't know where Morocco was, and was heading down to the driveway, when she found him.  In response to the coveted female being taken away in a car, this dog escaped the house, danced around and scratched at her car, figured out the door handle, and let himself into the vehicle, expecting it to take him to his beloved.  Thankfully, he was safe, and it turned into a funny story.  These dogs will also happily do very stupid things as well, such as eat a roll of cassette tape in a way that it's stuck around the tongue and coming out the other end (yes, this is still Morocco, that boy was a trial and a half).  So, we strongly advise that you look into what it means to have a smart dog, especially for when they get bored, which is where stimulation comes into play.

    Smart means your dog wants a job.  They want something to do.  And if you don't give them something to do, then guess what?  They'll find something to do, and you're not going to appreciate it.  Once they're around 2-3 years old, their good behaviors are settled in, but this means you'll be going through a puppy phase of if they're not stimulated with pre-approved things, then they'll find something.  So, please research into this, because we'd rather you know what you're getting into now, rather than a year or two into owning a PWD.  Some PWDs breeze through this, no issues.  In fact, Hera and Athena were gems regarding this.  Zeus, he still tries to get into some things, but as long as he has a toy in his mouth, he's a perfect little gentleman.  It all depends on the owner, the dog, and the training, so be honest with yourself regarding expectations and optimism.

Spay-Neuter Info

     We do sell puppies on spay-neuter contracts.  That said, we do NOT want them to be spayed/neutered until they reach 2 years old.  This is because they need these hormones as they grow into their adult bodies.  Without them, you can expect a plethora of behavioral and health issues (from anxiety and stress eating to the known increased odds of tumors and cancer).  For more information, please visit this page's spay/neuter subsection by hovering over the navigation link above.

    Many vets will attempt to tell you the following, and these are our understanding but firm and informed responses to them.

1: "You don't want your male dog to start humping, hiking his leg and peeing in the house, do you?"

Answer:  "For PWDs, he would require many things to do this.  First and foremost, he'd need to be with a female in heat.  While these behaviors can be learned, such as becoming a stress response or from other dogs in an unmonitored environment, the process of learning them will happen whether or not your puppy is intact.  At that point, it is a behavioral, not a hormonal, response to stimuli.  Control the stimuli, and it shouldn't develop.  Even intact males, who do indeed spend time with intact females and even sire puppies, do not demonstrate humping behaviors outside of heat phases unless the behavior is learned.  We also don't mind leg lifting, as it reduces the odds of him peeing on his front legs, and again, peeing indoors (marking) only happens with either heat hormones, or as a learned behavior."

2: "You don't want your female to develop pyometra, do you?"

Answer: "Pyometra is actually very, very slim odds in the first four heats.  It happens due to a buildup of incomplete heat shedding, as the uterus horns will cleanse themselves as a result of growing and delivering a litter.  Ergo, the longer a female is intact, the higher her odds of pyometra, yes, but spaying a female before the two-year age mark actually does more harm than good."

3: "You don't want to deal with a dog in heat, do you?"

Answer: "This is actually really easy, even on the floors and furniture.  There are doggy diapers now, and it's common to have reusable ones that you just place a human period pad onto before popping onto your dog.  Sure, you might forget to take it off occasionally, whoops, and that's a mess.  But thirty minutes of cleanup is well worth an extra 6-10 years of your puppy's healthy life."

4: "It's irresponsible to not get your dog spayed or neutered."

Answer: "Actually, this is the healthiest decision we've found for our breed, and in the end, it's our choice.  While it's normal for vets to promote spaying and neutering young, especially if they're prone to seeing strays brought in for the procedure, this is our safe and beloved family pet, and this is the course of action we're pursuing - especially to avoid breaching our contract with the breeder."  (PLEASE blame us if you get a naggy vet, hehe.)

Dew Claws

    We want you to know that we have decided NOT to remove dew claws any longer.  I always did at three to four days old, but my veterinarian kept trying to convince me otherwise.  Finally, she said she would no longer remove them for me as she felt removing their well-used "thumb" was not ethical.  After speaking with another local veterinarian, he told me that their clinic has only once seen a dog with a torn dew claw and he also felt it was an unnecessary elective surgery.

High-Energy Versus Hyperactive and Exercise

     A short section, but this is something we absolutely adore about the PWD breed.  They have the energy reserves in them to keep up with you, but they're not hyper/manic if, say, it's been storming all week and you haven't been able to take them to the dog park to run.  They're content with lazing around the house with you, cuddling and loving, chewing on their toys, etc., with a very, very low chance of developing unsavory habits.  Keep an eye on them as a puppy, be firm but loving, if they need a spank then don't let them run away, cuddle them after instead, and you'll have a pretty amazing pet who's as fine with, say, a treat puzzle, as they are a run outside.  Just expect them to make up the time when they do get the chance!

Is a puppy really right for you?   Things to consider:

1. PUPPIES CHEW:  A puppy chews for at least six months.  They are continuously teething and will chew on you, furniture, toys and more.  Are you ready for the challenge?  I can't tell you how many people ask if our puppies chew a lot.  Yes, all puppies teethe and chew.  The secret is to give them healthy chew toys and the ability to work their new teeth through the gums without damaging your items.  We suggest torn pieces of jeans, wet and frozen in a ziplock bag.  Puppies are smart, so train them from day 1.

2. HOUSEBREAKING: A puppy can be housebroken in a matter of days, if you are diligent.  Are you committed to this process and patient enough to endure a week of the 24/7 attention it takes?

3.  HEALTHY DIET: Can you feed your puppy an organic diet of healthy food, to ensure you will give her/him the proper nourishment that it will need to remain healthy and free of issues?  Dogs don't eat kibble in the wild, and there is not much natural food in kibble, or it would not be brown and processed in to a perfectly molded shape.  We consider it comparable to cereal.  Yes it's healthy but would you raise your child on cereal only, no matter how healthy it is?  Then give your wonderful dog a variety of healthy foods.  Ours get organic chicken or beef daily.  Fish weekly and free feed on organic carrots.  They love melons, asparagus, berries and so much more in their meals.

4.  COMPANIONSHIP:  Can you make a puppy a part of your family?  Will you allow the puppy to live in your home?  Sleep near you?   Not just when it is convenient for you, but they need this all of the time.  If you are going to crate them all night, and crate them during the day when you work, please do not read further, as a PWD is not the dog for you.

5. LOVE AND ATTENTION: Can you give your puppy attention and love?  A feeling of security?  Be a part of your pack?  These are pack animals and are miserable if left unattended, outside or alone.  They need your pack to survive happily and be well balanced.  http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/why-outdoor-dogs-miserable-125500891.html

6.  EXERCISE: Can you wait to heavily exercise your puppy?  Many runners contact us about wanting a high energy dog to run with them.  Problem is, if you are not wise about development, you can actually create health issues in a dog that comes genetically free of health issues.  Dogs age approximately 7 years to every human year.  If you are walking a six month old dog 2 miles a day, would you do that to a 3 1/2 year old child?  No, you would most likely use a stroller.  Would you run a seven year old child a mile or two a day?  No, so don't run a year old puppy for a mile or two.  Your common sense should guide you in raising a healthy puppy.  We can give you the great genes, but don't hurt our dog with not using your common sense.

7.  SPAY/NEUTER:  Can you wait until the puppy is 18-24 months old to spay or neuter?  This is a request that you do not hear about from many breeders.  The AKC and many veterinarians are now seeing the huge health issues from pups that were spayed or neutered at six months of age.  Read my link to the right about the horrific results that CAN happen with a dog that grows to maturity with no hormones at all.

8.  CHILDREN:  Are your children 8 years of age or older?  Children should be allowed to run and play and puppies to do the same.  The problem is that a puppy will mirror the energy level of your home.  If there is running, jumping, yelling, puppies will think that is how they are supposed to act, and with sharp teeth and toenails, it can wreak havoc on your children.  A puppy simply thinks of your child as a litter mate and will play just like your child.  Young children also don't understand pain and could easily drop a pup, choke them and many other challenges.  Just wait and enjoy your children while they are young and get a puppy when they are old enough to help you and understand a puppy's needs.