THE UNTOLD HISTORY
of
Portuguese Water Dogs
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WHY |
untypical
colours in PWDs such as black & tan, particolor and brindle occur in
PWDs. |
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WHY |
undercoat,
untypical of PWDs occur in PWDs |
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PICTURE |
the Dog scene
in Portugal, back in the 70s, when professional breeders of PWDs were
eager to sell dogs to rich good faith Americans. |
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PICTURE |
those
opportunist breeders busy with different breeds such as water dogs,
serra d'aires, afghans etc. |
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PICTURE |
The Serra
d'aires a dog established in the last century, the result of dogs such
as the Briad (imported from France by the famous count Castro)
crossed with local dogs, and later with the Catalan sheepdog. |
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RESULT |
PWDs with
untypical colours and particolor also undercoat typical of the Briard
and the Catalan sheepdog. PWDs with long muzzle, narrow head, long ears, light brown eyes, straight silky coat and s ring/curve at the end of the tail typical of Afghans. |
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FACTS |
It is known that when 'accidents' happened between PWDs and Serra d'aires, the puppies born when solid colours were to be PWD, when black & tan, particolor etc. were to be Serra d'aires |
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Great Britain |
The undercoat
present in some PWDs can be traced back to the Briard via Serra d'aires. |
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USA |
A strange
coincidence… when the first litter sired by Xelim De Alvalade
(improper coat) one of the puppies received the name of Serra d'aires.
The first known litter, with particolor, born in the USA 1st October 1982 was descendent from Charlie De Alvalade (RI). Probably the reason why it is popular in USA. But that again is another story… |
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The unique characteristics of PWDs that were first found in Leao, Dina, Venesa and Nero, by the great Vasco Bensaude, are still present in the PWDs of today thanks to conscious breeders that recognised and avoided undesired genetic deviations. |
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Augusto
Guimaraes, De Gifford PWDs forever |