Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas



Tried to get Blue in the picture, but we are babysitting Paolo and they would not cooperate. We will try again tomorrow.
Athena and OG
Ry & Gordy, Athena & OG, Cavan & Ella

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Week 4

OG has become very fussy about her food, not to interested in dog food, but Ryan's chicken cassadia was wonderful.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ella and her Puppies




Meet Miss Molly, she was our pick of the litter female that we kept as our own to continue breeding. At a year she had only gotten to be 30lbs which is below the breed standard, after much thought we decided to have her spayed and placed with a family. We found the McDevitts and Molly could not be in a better home, Lynn and Michael spend lots of time with Molly on the beach, and their granddaughter just loves her as you can see. Below is a picture of Molly and Cavan before she went to her new home. Molly is the most wonderful little girl, and we miss her dearly.

Molly at Home in San Francisco
Molly and Cavan at our house.




Ella is our first PWD, she had a litter of 12 puppies on 7/4/08.
Molly's Mom and our princess, we will be breeding Ella again in May 2009.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Week 3











Well today is week 3. OG continues to have her appetite. She does want a tremendous amount of attention, more than usual, and Ella has been super sweet to her. So we will keep our fingers crossed, but I am pretty sure she is pregnant.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Litter Introduction

Oakgrove Portuguese Water Dogs is pleased to announce a planned litter by CH Pinehaven’s Legend of Zorro, WWD , “Zorro” & CH Vindouro’s Bespoke of Oakgrove, “OG”(oh-ghee) due late January 2009. This is a well planned litter, with careful thought and consideration by myself and OG’s breeder, Melanie Groth; Vindouro PWDS, who has been breeding for the past 10 years and has produced some spectacular dogs. In that time, Melanie has bred eight litters and in her second generation of breeding produced a 2004 Top Ten dog as well as several Champion’s, Therapy Dogs, Agility dog and Water Titlists. Melanie has not only been a wonderful breeder but has become a close family friend and an endless source of information and support. This is OG’s first litter, and the 2nd litter of Oakgrove PWDS. The intent of this breeding is to perpetuate the strong breed type characteristics of Zorro and OG, maintain the working drive and true PWD temperament, carry on the good health record of the parents, and continue the beautiful movement of each producing super puppies that represent the breed standard. This is a very special litter and we expect great things from this breeding.

Zorro and OG
It is really important to us that the puppies get the great homes they deserve, and that you are overjoyed with your puppy. We typically place puppies when they are 9-11 weeks old after a series of evaluations by people we consider experts regarding the PWD and this breeding. We are always glad to speak to you by phone and happy to call you at a convenient time. But we have three children, 4 dogs and a full time job, so needless to say I am busy, but will get back to you as soon as possible. We use a questionnaire that is designed to learn about you in order to assist us in finding the right home for the right puppy. As the puppies develop, they are observed, socialized and evaluated. If you are interested in being considered for one of these puppies, please complete the questionnaire and return it to us at your earliest convenience. Our receipt of your questionnaire does not guarantee a puppy, but places you in line for consideration. If or when you decide that you are certain you would like a puppy from this litter, please inform me of that by sending a deposit check of $400.00, which will go toward the full purchase price of $2000.00. It is refundable for every circumstance except one – if you have changed your mind without informing me and I have turned others away from a puppy I have reserved for you. It is important to us that a good "fit" is made with puppy and new owner(s) as well as between us.
The questions are chosen to provide information for us about your knowledge and learning needs regarding these dogs, your absolute requests and your preferences. Puppies are all different and selection of homes varies with the puppy. Therefore, there is no right or wrong answer. Please respond honestly, because we are looking at the total picture. We want a puppy to go where it will be part of a home for its life, where it is valued as a Water Dog and where you will feel that you received that one "special" dog for you. We have been involved in Portuguese Water Dogs for almost 5 years. I have learned thru the experience of Melanie, and Melanie’s placement of both OG and her half sister Ella, with our family, that the early care and development of the puppy and litter, a correct placement and my availability and participation as a resource and sometimes cheerleader to achieve the best results and satisfaction. Please call me if you have any questions. And thank you for your interest in one of the puppies which are most likely to be black and or black with white markings with wavy coats. Please email me if you would like me to send you a questionnaire.
Our contact information is:

Kathleen & Charles Doherty
(619)368-3411
ckdoherty@sbcglobal.net
1665 Grove Road, El Cajon, CA 92020

OG and Athena at Water Training 2007

Athena, OG, Ella and I traveled up to Northern California to do a water training workshop with Melanie in 2007. Athena worked with OG and I worked with Ella.


On the car ride up, Athena was 8 at the time.




Athena receiving directions from the judge.








Athena and OG do the boat ride.
We are continuing to do land training and hope to enter trials this summer

Zorro's Health Certificate




Zorro's Health Certificate
















Sunday, December 7, 2008

Zorro's Pedigree & Title Certificates











AKC Gazette Article

Please be patient when you read this article, you need to start from the bottom and read up. If you click on each page it will enlarge. Enjoy! I hope to have slide shows ready to post at the end of the week. Take Care, K









OG Health Tests
















Click on report to englarge.

OG Pedigree and Championship Certificate



Click on Certificates to view.

Tuesday Will Be Week 2

Tuesday will be week 2, I am wishing there was a pregnancy test for dogs so I would know for sure. I am pretty sure that she is pregnant, but she is not acting any different. When Ella returned from breeding it was pretty obvious that she was pregnant, she was a Big Princess Loaf, more so than she usually is :). I am uploading a wonderful article from the AKC Gazette about Portuguese Water Dogs, as well as OG Pedigree and Championship Certificated. I am working on the rest, this all takes awhile as I am new to this.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A Dog's Purpose

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the eut hanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don' t have to stay as long.'

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity t o go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people t ouch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your en tire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Thanks Linda, I love this! It is so true.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Another successful Breeding

Zorro and OG met for the the last time today and had another successful breeding. OG was very fussy this time and so was Zorro. When I spoke with Melanie our breeder, she stated it is probably because OG is pregnant. We have a fingers crossed for a smooth pregnancy and whelping. My scanner is not working so I will scan pedigree and health test at work on Monday and post then.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Breeding Success




Ok my last post was from a week ago, I just could not figure out how to posted it from the draft form.....this blog thing is kind of new to me so please be patient. We have breed OG and Zorro on Tuesday and again on Thanksgiving. We went to were they both have been training for agility, and our agility instructor, Angie, could help us. She has many many years of breeding and training dogs. Needless to say they were both champs for first timers, and we had ties on both days. We will get them together one last time tomorrow to seal the deal. Angie stated it was the easiest breeding she has ever done. I am hoping to see some signs of pregnancy by next week. Ella came home feeling really blah after her first breeding, and we knew she was pregnant. I have attached some pictures of Zorro, and will be scanning both of their pedigrees, and health test this weekend and post them. Mary Ellen, Athena and I are so excited about this litter.

Friday, November 21, 2008

CH Vindouro's Bespoke of Oagrove



OG pronounced "oh-ghee" is our second female, and we will be breeding her next week with "Zorro" CH Pinehaven's Legend of Zorro, WWD. Zorro is a beautiful Black and White Wavy boy. He has 1 Brown ancestor in his pedigree so we are not expecting any brown puppies but can't say it will not happen. We expect to be whelping this exciting litter late January, and puppies will be available to go home late March, early April. I will be journaling this breeding, and adding more photos, so please check back often for updates.