Westminster Profile: Portuguese Water Dog

With the Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show almost upon us (Feb. 15–16), Paw Nation will be talking with some of the show dogs' owners for some insight into this year's contestants.

Dog Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Group: Working

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch Ebb Tide's Upcountry Titan

Nickname: Sage

Dog's Age: 5

Owner's Name: Arnold and Sandra Brown

Hometown: Cheshire, Conn.

Tell me about your dog's personality.
Sage is a people magnet who endears himself quickly and easily to all those he meets. We consider Sage to be our "dog of a lifetime." He is a robust and remarkably caring dog with extraordinary temperament and intelligence. He's very spirited, with a strong work ethic and drive, and a great sense of humor. He takes his jobs very seriously. Sage's favorite job, as part of his role as a certified R.E.A.D. dog, is to welcome children to our home and then snuggle up beside them as they learn to read.

Sage is extremely devoted to his canine and human family. He loves to play chase in his own clever way (using his uncanny ability to pivot like an NBA star). He is persistent and tenacious when tracking, playing hide-and-seek or in locating hidden toys. Sage is also athletically competitive, having earned several first-place ribbons at agility trials. He "attacks" water competition trials with gusto!

What is your dog's favorite treat?
Sage's favorite treats are beef liver and dog biscuits.

What is your dog's best trick?
Sage can count upon command. He will bark (count) to 4. He also sings with our daughter Allison. He mimics her voice with a high-pitched tone that sounds like country music yodeling.

What's your dog's weirdest quirk?
Sage likes to sit in front of us, place his front paws on our shoulders and then raise one paw and stroke our faces. It is uncanny -- like a person stroking the face of a loved one. Sage also loves his belly rubbed, sometimes at 3 a.m. He is quite verbal and not shy about snuggling up and "asking" for a rub.

How do you and your dog prepare for Westminster?
This is our first Westminster experience. Although Sage has been shown for several years, winning Awards of Merit and Group Placements, this will be a first. We make our training and practicing fun, beginning and ending with hugs, kisses, praise and joy.

We are practicing every day to keep our skills sharp. (Arnold is showing Sage as an Owner-Handler). We are speaking to veterans to learn from their experiences, and for good luck have purchased a brand new show lead for Sage.

Anything else you'd like to share?
We are obviously committed to this breed and wish to express our concern that although the Portuguese water dog is indeed a unique, wonderful breed, they are not dogs for everyone. Anyone considering a PWD should research the breed, consult reputable breeders and responsible owners before making a commitment to this intelligent, spirited, but demanding breed.

Tags: dog show, DogShow, portuguese water dog, PortugueseWaterDog, sage, westminster