The Future of Our Breed

The PWDCA Futurity Stakes Program

A Showcase for Breeders of Portuguese Water Dogs

The PWDCA Futurity Stake Program was approved by the Board of Directors of the PWDCA in November 1998. The program was developed and designed to offer serious breeders the opportunity to present the results of their breeding programs. To quote a long time PWD fancier and breeder, Maryanne Murray, "The Futurity is a significant event as it challenges breeders to publicly demonstrate their knowledge of the breed, planning abilities, breeding skills and confidence in their decisions".

Unique to the Futurity Stake is the requirement that all puppies entered each year at the national specialty must have their litter nominated BEFORE the puppies are born! Once the litter has been whelped, and before the puppies are 5 months old, puppies that in the breeder's opinion are excellent examples of the breed, must then be individually nominated to enter competition. Only the breeder may nominate the litter, and only the breeder or owner of the pup may nominate a puppy. The Stakes are high in the Futurity and there is a considerable amount of prize money to be distributed, not only to the owner of the puppy, but to the breeder and owner of the sire as well.

Breeders must have confidence in their breeding programs, their breeding knowledge and the quality of their dogs. The entries in the Futurity Stake at the National Specialty are among the finest quality young Portuguese Water Dogs to be seen at any one time in the same place. When the final pup has been judged and the Best Puppy and Best Senior is awarded, there is nothing to compare the inner pride and satisfaction a breeder senses from having been a part of the PWDCA Futurity Stake.

- - - Portuguese Water Dogs of The Future, A Breeders Showcase

More details on the PWDCA Futurity Stakes Program...



The PWDCA Outstanding Breeder Achievement Recognition Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Outstanding Breeder Achievement program is to recognize superior attainment in support of the following objectives from the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) bylaws:
  1. To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Portuguese Water Dogs, and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.
  2. To encourage members and breeders to accept the AKC approved breed standard as the only standard of excellence by which Portuguese Water Dogs shall be judged.
  3. To protect and maintain the good health of the breed by establishing and encouraging ethical breeding practices, by supporting PWDCA health policies, and by promoting participation in the PWDCA health programs.
  4. To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at all recognized AKC and PWDCA events.

Foundation Principles:

The Outstanding Breeder Achievement Award is based on the following principles:
  1. We emphasize first and foremost the unique type and work of the Portuguese Water Dog.
  2. We promote breeding that reflects PWDCA recommendations.
  3. We honor the versatility of the breed and its owners.
  4. We recognize that a breeder's record of achievement emerges from the relationship between breeder effort in the production of Portuguese Water Dogs and owner effort in lifelong care and title attainment by those dogs.

More details on the PWDCA Breeder Achievement Award Program...


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Last Edited:  September 22, 2009