ALTO MARE PORTUGUESE WATER DOGS
 *Alto Mare* is used in the AKC registration names of dogs, bred by and co-bred by Lisa Hubbart. She has been involved in grooming, showing, breeding and raising dogs most of her life. Her first time in the show ring was at age 6, and grew up assisting professional handlers, and handling her own dogs, and eventually was handling show dogs professionally. In 1983, a client introduced her to the Portuguese Water Dog. For 4 years Lisa worked as a show agent/handler and groomer; assisting in the championships of about 25 PWDs before starting her own breeding program. Having grown up around the dog business she knew she did not want a kennel. By placing a few puppies from each litter (that have potential to be important to the breeding program) with people who would work with her to show and breed, each dog has it's own family. All Alto Mare PWD puppies are born and raised in a home environment, when they grow up only the best are bred, only one out of 3 or 4 puppies placed as show prospects actually becomes a champions and is bred, the ones that are not needed can be spayed or neutered even though they usually are champion quality. The Hubbart family has two full time family dogs "Sidney*, and *Foxy*. The Alto Mare breeding program strives to maintain all the qualities these great dogs have. Intelligence; personality; working ability; an eager to please companion.
Procedure for Obtaining an Alto Mare PWD
Our normal routine is to take applications with deposits from people (usually $300 for a future litter and 400 if it your interested in a puppy from a current litter) who intend to buy a puppy from us. We have so any people inqure and call for research only that our time is better spent if we can distinguish between people curious(which if OK) and with people we know are planing on getting a PWD from us. If your application is accepted you are put in line for a puppy that meets your needs.
 When the puppies arrive; they are evaluated from day one. All through development to an age appropriate to go to a home (8 to 14 weeks), we watch and observe, and aptitude test, so we know which puppy (or puppies) would be best for, the family that swims a lot; Or wants to do tracking or obedience competition, which home is suitable for the very active pup and which is suitable more laid back puppy. Once on the waiting list you can be asurred  that years of experience will go into helping make sure you get a puppy that is right for you.

General info 

"The Portuguese Water Dog is the most exciting breed I have ever worked with". They are wonderful companions, enthusiastic at play and work. They are very intelligent and have an earnest need to please. Of course, a *PWD* doesn*t just happen to develop these qualities by accident. You do have to raise them with consistent rules and boundaries and cultivate their natural talents and abilities. Some may take a little more work than others may but the rewards are well worth the effort. Their non-shedding hair, in many cases, is tolerated by people with allergies.
I strongly recommend reading the AKC breed standard as the beginning of your study of this or any breed. The standard refers to the PWD as " highly intelligent utilitarian breed.* an indelible impression of strength, spirit, and soundness"
General description
Size - Males 20 to 23 inches (22 ideal). Females 17 to 21 (19 ideal).
Weight - Males 42 to 60 pounds; Females 35 to 50 pounds
Proportion-Off Square; slightly longer than tall          
Substance - Strong substantial bone; solidly built, Muscular build
Temperament - spirited disposition, self willed, brave, very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and loyalty. Obedient for whom it works.

Is a Portuguese Water Dog for you?
 What kind of dog are you looking for?  What is your vision of the ideal dog?   If you dream of a dog to be curled at your feet sleeping, never heard, only seen, To give attention to only when convenient. Then without a doubt you are NOT the person for a PWD!
The Portuguese Water Dog is fun loving, exuberant, and anxious to explore and experience every thing. It is the responsibility of the owner to guide and teach the puppy appropriate behavior, and to direct these talents in positive ways. This is not a dog that typically lies quietly at your feet; His head or entire body may be in your lap. He will paw at your newspaper (its very rude not to direct your full attention on him!).   He may constantly bring things to you until he finds just the item, which you will toss for him or, that brings you completely to your feet. . . . Then after he has you thoroughly worn out he*ll curl up and settle in (or move on to the next person).
        When you have a puppy, it is very important to be consistent in rules you set. The puppy should only be exposed to new situations, as you are able to be there to teach the puppy appropriate behavior and rules for that situation. If the puppy breaks a rule or acts inappropriately separate the puppy from the area or situation. (Time out)      How you raise your PWD and the habits you allow to develop will determine the kind of companion he will be. So if you do well and help him be good, you will have a happy well-adjusted pet.

Searching for the right breeder
It is important for you to be comfortable with the breeder from whom you choose to get a dog. A conscientious breeder will know the background of the dogs he/she breeds and breeds to, not only one generation back but several. He/she will know the health status on the parents, and grandparents; dogs used in his/her breeding program will be; OFA certified clear of hip displacia, yearly CERF tested clear of eye disease, and DNA tested to know the PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) status to insure there is no chance of producing a dog that will be affected, they will know what the GM-1 carrier status is as well.

Ask questions, How are the puppies raised and socialized?  What age do the puppies go to their homes? (No sooner than 8 weeks). Educate yourself and ask the breeder to guide you to the right information.
The breeder should ask lots of questions as well. Like *is your life and home ready for a pet*; do you have time to take care of pet? Do you have a fenced yard? Will you crate train your puppy? How active is your family; how active do you expect your puppy to be? Will you Obedience train? How much experience do you have with dogs? Are you interested in Showing or breeding? Do you need more information about showing and breeding to decide?   

Occasionally if there is a large litter born some puppies may still be available and the wait may not be as long. Sometimes a puppy has been kept longer to determine it*s show/breeding possibilities; then this puppy may be available as a guaranteed show and breeding quality or sold as a pet.                                                                                   
Decide what you're looking for!                                             
        What physical characteristics (like color/coat type, size, sex etc.) interest you most? Is temperament the priority? Would you or do you want to show or breed if your dog turned out to have qualities important to the PWD population?  Do you want a pet that you would be required to neuter? On the other hand, would you consider trying to show or hire a professional to show your dog to get the championship, if it turned out to have qualities vital to the breed? Then work with the breeder on any breeding of the dog if the dog becomes a champion and passes health testing? 
           If you have decided to get an Alto Mare PWD puppy, Fill out the application and male with a $500 deposit ($300 is the minimum) this will put you in line for a puppy as you have described in the application. If a puppy is not available as you have described within the specified time as stated on your deposit form, the deposit is refundable. Alternatively, if a puppy comes available and you are not ready, the deposit can be extended to the next litter if you choose.
Puppies are graded and classified as:
PET ONLY (spay/neuter required)-  $1800.to $2600. 

SHOW PROSPECT $1,600. - $3000. depending on Showing and breeding terms  (Puppy will usually  be reevaluated when older to determine whether to neuter or show and breed);

GUARANTEED SHOW QUALITY -$2,400 TO 5,000.(depends on terms and Country) 

Delightful love and companionship from any of the above * PRICELESS

None of our dogs are sold with Breeding rights. If any of our dogs are bred it is only after meeting all the requirements and standard we set. The buyer earns and interest in the breeding of the dog by financing the Championship and health testing.  This is one way PWD breeders are protecting the quality of our dogs now and in the future.  There is too much to learn if you are new to PWD's to put all the responsability on you. PWD's should only be bred with the guidance of an ethical experience PWD breeder.

Sales agreements
Our agreements and basic terms are, and have been, used by many well-established, reputable breeders in many different breeds.  Alto Mare uses a basic 2 two page sales agreement and, when appropriate, an additional 1 page breeding agreement.
Most reputable breeders use strict sales agreements.  The length can range from a simple 2-page spay/neuter agreement to a lengthy 6-page show /breeding agreemen,  it is long because the breeder is very protective and conscientious of where their puppies go and what kind of life the dog will have.
  When a dog with show and breeding potential is sold to a person without experience, the breeder's name will remain on the AKC registration papers. The reason is that there is so much responsibility that goes along with researching, qualifying and planning a breeding, that having an experienced breeder work with the beginner is the best way to protect the dog, it's progeny, the bloodline and the PWD breed.

Congratulations on finding such a wonderful breed!    If I can offer any more assistance, please contact me.  Lisa Hubbart  PWDinquiries@aol.com

 Curly Coated Puppy      Wavy coated Puppy

BIS Ch. Sete Mares Joaquin De Alto Mare

Curly in Working Retriever trim

A White Parti-color curly and A White Parti-color Wavy

Bandits Grand Daughter "Foxy" had a beautiful litter sired by "Apollo" Pictured above!

   They were born November 29th 2008

AKA: CH. Alto Mare Farallon of the Sea

 These are brothers. (Sired By CH Del Surs Makin all the Right Moves) their mother is Ch Alto Mare Cere Jezabel

"Finnigan" Curly/Lion trim (photo taken at 18 months of age)  AKA: CH Alto Mare Swimmin in the Sea

 This is "Fiona"! picture at 4 months she is the puppy in the middle to the left of here.