The Spanish Water Dog - Perro de Agua Espanol
My Story
I first saw Spanish Water Dogs in 1999 and immediately fell in love with them. These were the dogs for me!
What attracted me to them was their enthusiasm, so energetic and lively. They always seemed to enjoy life and loved to be within a social gathering. Yes……..this was definitely my kind of companion.
My family went to see them at work and watched them at flyball and agility competitions, as well as in the show ring. The size was just right, smaller than my last dogs and they did not molt and did not need brushing. Little did I know that their coats still need a great deal of attention.
I talked and met all the breeders I could and went to watch the dogs at play and at rest in their homes. With all the research I did it was almost 2 years from the day I first decided to purchase a Spanish Water Dog until I actually brought Pardo home.
I bought Pardo – Blairathol Oso Pardo, now Blairathol Oso Pardo via Janamorio – from Audrey and Ian Murray in Lincolnshire. They asked me to visit them twice before I was accepted to own one of their ‘babies’. The first time we went as a family to see the Murrays we had a 5 hour “interrogation” before we were approved. Even when we went to collect him we still sat through another 4 hours questioning before we were allowed to take him home!
At the time it was quite overwhelming, but now, as an owner and breeder, I applaud them for the care they take in choosing who should have their puppies. These fabulous, versatile dogs are exquisite and precious in every way. It is dangerous to the dogs and to the breed to sell them to the wrong people.
Since that day I’ve obtained another 3 Spanish Water Dogs, and there is a story behind every one of them. Not one of them did I actually intend to buy…things just happen – and maybe that’s why to me they are so magically mysterious.