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Disclaimer
You will find much information regarding this breed available via the internet. As in all subjects, the internet can be a powerful tool - it should be educational and informative. However, it is also a source of much misinformation and in some can cause damage. Legitimate websites cite resources recognized as legitimate, not opinion. They are sources of positive guidance and are not negative or damaging in their dissemination of information regarding breeding standards, breeders or breed clubs. The goal of the Spanish Water Dog Club of America is to promote the breed in the United States as established by Spain and to supply current, accurate, contemporary information regarding the health and temperament of the breed.
The Spanish Water Dog is a Rare Breed in the United States. Spanish Water Dog is a versatile breed, utilized for all facets of working abilities. Contrary to what some may like to believe and are trying to convince the US market, the SWD name does not read Spanish Herding Dog although herding is indeed a function at which the Spanish Water Dog excels.
Health of the Spanish Water Dog:
Is should be first and foremost in the best interest of the Spanish Water Dog that health-testing be conducted on each and every SWD which is being considered as show-breeding quality. All breeding quality dogs should be tested for hip dysplasia before being used for breeding. They should be tested either through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or though Penn-hip. Eyes should be tested through OptiGen for PRA-prcd, a genetic disorder that can lead to blindness. (Please refer to the OptiGen website for information regarding this condition, http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_prcd_pra.html If you wish to read the current data regarding tests results, please go to http://www.offa.org.)
All dogs should have their eyes tested through the CERF program. CERF was established in conjunction with cooperating, board certified, veterinary ophthalmologists, as a means to accomplish the goal of elimination of heritable eye disease in all purebred dogs by forming a centralized, national registry, for more information go to http://www.vmdb.org/history.html
Breeders:
The goal of a responsible breeding program is to ensure the best characteristics in conformation, temperament, health and versatility are passed on to the next generation. As the genetic pool is small in the United States, it is up to the individual breeder to ensure that no in-breeding is conducted with the Spanish Water Dog. You should, of course ensure that the breeder has bred a litter before or is working under the guidance of an experienced breeder, has experience in the breed, in the raising of Spanish Water Dog puppies, as well as encourages questions about the breed, why the breeding was being conducted as well as strengths and weaknesses of the sire and dam. Beware of those who talk of others! Not only is this unethical, it should call into question their motives for such action.
Registries:
The recognized registries for the Spanish Water Dog are:
FCI (through its member countries - which is Puerto Rico for the US), UKC, AKC FSS
In the United States, the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service has recently recognized the Spanish Water Dog; this is the first step towards being recognized in the US as a purebred. Dual registry in the United States may also include the domestic registration of the United Kennel Club. As the Spanish Water Dog is a Rare Breed, in order to continue the international registry for the breed, breeders are recommended to register through FCPR - Federacion Canofila De Puerto Rico (FCPR), which is the member registry in North America of the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) (English translation, World Canine Organization). The FCI is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium.
The Federation Cynologique Internationale includes 84 members and contract partners, one per country, that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI makes sure that the pedigrees and judges are mutually recognized by all the FCI members. By registering our dogs with the FCPR, we are able to maintain a strong connection with the Spanish origins of the breed. The AKC abides by and conforms with the standards for each rare breed they accept for registry, as set forth by the country of origin for that rare breed.
Championships:
Championships can be obtained in the United States from the United Kennel Club, Rarities or the American Rare Breed Association. Only Rarities is allowing the Spanish Water Dogs to be judged outside the group classification as established by Spain, and judges it in the Herding Group which does not conform to the breed judging standards recognized in 84 countries.
The rest of the show venues, as well as the World, follow the proper group classification as set-forth by Spain (FCI, UKC, AKC and ARBA). All Championships must be earned. In ARBA, the dog is also judged (as in all show venues) against the breed and group classification standard. If the dog does not meet the standard or shows aggression it is immediately disqualified from the ring, regardless of the number of entrants. As the SWD is a rare breed, many breeders will enter numerous dogs from their own kennel, so that the Championship is earned. To see how many SWD competed in various show venues - you can see show points from that venue.
 I am very pleased to announce that the 2010 SWDCA Calendar is now available for viewing and purchase.
To see the calendar , please download this LINK https://rcpt.yousendit.com/774300730/5f4aab55594947ae7cc9aed55cb611cb
All proceeds of this calendar (after calendar production expense, packaging and postage) will go to help raise money for SWDCA events.
If anyone has any questions about the calendar, please feel free to email me at: olesia@insightbb.com
There are two options to purchase this calendar:
1. Bank checks made payable to:
Olesia Kennedy
sent to:
4750 Dickson Drive
Georgetown, IN 47122, USA
2. PayPal
SWDCA Thanks you for your support!
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