Puppy Philosophy
Our Philosophy
If you are interested in learning more about us and our puppies, use the contact us option and let us know when is a good time to chat. Our process for approving homes includes a questionnaire, a follow up conversation, reference / vet / groomer check, and temperament matching. If we think you are a great fit, we will let you know but won't match puppies until after their 7 week temperament evaluation. Of course we take into account preferences, but before puppies venture out into the great big world, we know them best. This means we know what puppies will do well in a home with children, or with a single person, in a boisterous environment, or a space that's more laid back. We take matching seriously because this is a lifetime commitment and we want it to be successful, rewarding, and full of joy.
At Dança - Portuguese Water Dogs, we know that the beginning is very important, so we are all in when it comes to our puppies. Because temperament is our focus, we know that the start is with good genetics, but it's also about the foundation and the early socialization that's provided to our puppies. This is a daily commitment we take very seriously and are always looking for opportunities for improvement.
We use Puppy Culture methodology but apply loads of common sense, experience, and other knowledge we have picked up along the way. We like the flexibility, guidance, and support that comes with Puppy Culture, every puppy and every litter is different and should be treated as such. We provide puppies with Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) as appropriate but also handle our puppies a lot. We want adults dogs that are okay with being touched and handled and are affectionate with their family members. As puppies reach the socialization window, we work diligently to see that the puppies have a variety of novel experiences.
Did you know that Socialization is a set developmental window? Most people think socialization is like people socializing and it couldn't be further from the truth. Socialization is how your dog interacts with the world around him, how he responds to novelty, and his general sense about the world. We hope that all of our puppies leave us with a confident curiosity, ready to explore the world. Of course as puppies continue their journey with you, it's your job to make sure that they continue to see the world in a curious and non-threating way.
The Portuguese Water Dog was bred to work along side one person, with autonomy to do their job as a trusted team member. This is a very important aspect of the breed. They worked with one person day in and day out, so the bond was real. They also had very real responsibilities on the boat that had real consequences ... was there a catch for the day meaning food, was the catch, the boat, the captain safe from predators and other threats, etc ... The Portuguese Water Dog had a very important job and they took it seriously. When it was time to work they were all in. In our standard it says the breed is an independent thinker and this is in part why they were so good at their job. When it comes to having a PWD as a family member, that independent thinking doesn't stop. If you aren't in charge, they will be. Something to keep in mind when looking at these sweet faces. They are adorable, but they are serious. If you don't want to be the captain, this isn't the breed for you.
Just as the PWD had to be all in when it was time to work, they boats were small so horseplay wasn't acceptable. A good PWD will know when to turn it off and settle. This is a very important skill for any working dog, but especially for one that thinks they know best. We say that a little in jest but also very seriously. Settling is a focus skill for us. Our experience has taught us that a dog that is willing to laydown and observe is a good dog. A dog that behaves this way usually knows when someone else is in charge and what it means to be off duty.
While our puppies are with us we generally do weekly evaluations to watch how structure is changing and coming together. We are fortunate to work from home where puppies continue to spend most of their time with us. This is beneficial as puppies start getting used to a workday routine. We introduce all of our puppies to a raw diet given the gut benefits that last a lifetime. We don't have much access to bodies of water, but we do as much water exposure as we are able. We also do work in the areas of scent, sounds, basic home / life manners, and conformation.
We introduce grooming and basic care at a very early age. Having a breed with hair means you are in for a regular grooming schedule. There are lots of ways to groom and go about grooming and we are here to help, but the breed has hair so you are committed to lifetime of grooming no matter what it looks like.
Lastly but certainly not least, we have a great team of folks that helps us with our puppies; from evaluations, to quiet visits and exuberant playtime, we try to cover all the things. Our team of folks also includes some fantastic elder PWDs that speak the native language and set the puppies up to be good canine citizens.
Everyone of our puppies is part of our family and takes a bit of us when they leave. When puppies leave, we hope this is just the beginning of our journey with you. We will always be available to share in your successes and help you through challenging times. And, we love nothing more than updates and pictures! Our Danca puppies are representations of the hardwork and love we put in at an early age. They are our legacy. and our contribution to a breed that we love so very much. We want all of our puppies to grow up to be fantastic ambassadors of the breed but most importantly, beloved family members for many, many years.