At Premier Pups, we are proud to partner with some of the best dog breeders in the country to offer you healthy, beautiful Portuguese water dog puppies for sale. These playful pups love adventures and thrive in active households. They are incredibly intelligent and eager to please. They are also a great choice for families with allergies.

1. Look for a reputable breeder.

Whether you’re looking to adopt or buy a pup, make sure you do your research before you start searching. You’ll want to look for a breeder who puts the health and welfare of their pups before profit. A reputable breeder will be more than happy to provide you with references of other families that have had the same puppy you are considering as well as veterinary and trainer recommendations. You should also ask a breeder about the health clearances their dogs have (for example, hips and elbows) as well as their ancestry. You can also check some of this information yourself on the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals database.

Reputable breeders are committed to improving the quality of the dogs they raise and will have established breeding policies for the dog breeds that they work with. You can find a breeder by asking your veterinarian for recommendations, visiting dog shows, and checking the websites of recognized breed clubs and organizations.

The best place to meet a breeder is in person at their home or kennel facility. If that’s not possible, you can always ask to visit their home or kennel via video-conferencing system so that you can observe the environment and get a sense of the breeder’s dedication to the dogs. The breeder should be happy to answer your questions and if they are not, you may want to move on to another breeder.

It’s also a good idea to ask a breeder about their socialization strategy for their puppies. Exposing puppies to different sights, sounds, and people early in life helps them become calm, well-adjusted dogs. This also reduces the likelihood of them becoming fearful or anxious later in life.

2. Ask for references.

When looking for a breeder, you should ask for references. This will help you determine if the breeder has a good reputation and is trustworthy. Additionally, it will allow you to see if the breeder has had any health issues or complaints. If you are unable to find any information on the breeder, you may want to look elsewhere. Premier Pups partners with the best dog breeders in the country to offer healthy, happy Portuguese Water Dog puppies. These dogs are highly intelligent, eager to please, and highly affectionate towards their pet parents. They are also sociable and love spending time with other dogs at the dog park.

3. Visit the breeder’s home.

When contacting a breeder for the first time, do not be surprised if they want to meet you in person before agreeing to sell you a puppy. This is one of the best ways to determine if you are dealing with a breeder who cares about the dogs they produce and wants their puppies to go to people who will care for them and contribute to the preservation of the breed.

Reputable breeders will have questionnaires for prospective buyers and will want to know about your family and home, past experience with pets, how you plan to use the dog, and other factors that may affect the health of the puppy. They will also be concerned about making sure their dogs and puppies are being placed in homes that can provide for their emotional and physical needs.

It is important to remember that breeders have a lot on their plate, and they are working diligently to socialize and train their puppies for their new families. They also have biological concerns that they need to keep in mind (like parvovirus which can kill entire litters and be devastating for the breeder, both emotionally and financially). Your presence as a visitor can bring illness into this environment, so you will be asked to not touch anything in the area where the puppies are housed or played with.

Many breeders will not have the males on site most of the time, because they often travel to another breeder’s home or have a live semen shipped in order to make sure their dam is paired up with the perfect match. You will also be asked to not shop from multiple breeders on the same day, as this presents a huge biological risk for their litters.

4. Ask for a contract.

Portuguese Water Dogs are energetic and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They enjoy activities like hiking, swimming, and playing with their friends in the dog park. They also excel at agility trials and other dog sports. These dogs are extremely loyal and will bond closely with one person in their lives.

This is why it’s important for buyers to ask for a contract before making a purchase. Contracts help protect buyers and breeders alike by ensuring that all parties understand what they are agreeing to. A contract will include important details like health guarantees, pedigree documentation, and first right of refusal in case the puppy is ever returned to the breeder.

While some buyers may see contracts as invasive, they are designed to ensure transparency and mutual commitment to the dog’s long-term well-being. This will ensure that the breeder is getting a good home for their puppies and that the buyer will be able to provide them with the care they need.

For example, a good contract will specify the dog’s medical records, vaccination history, and microchip information. It will also include a guarantee against hip dysplasia, which is commonly seen in this breed and can be caused by both environmental and genetic factors. A contract will also typically require that buyers take their new puppies to their own veterinarian for a full examination within a certain time frame after the sale.

A contract should also clarify if the dog is being sold with limited or full registration and whether the puppy will be spayed or neutered. It will usually also specify the age that is the best time to spay or neuter a dog in this breed.

5. Make the commitment to a lifetime of love.

Portuguese Water Dogs are eager-to-please pups who love to learn and play. They thrive in active families where beach outings, hikes, and trips to the dog park are regular activities. They’re also great with kids of all ages and enjoy interactions with other dogs at the dog park. They’re highly affectionate towards their pet parents and will give them their undivided attention. When you decide to purchase your Portie from Premier Pups, you’re making a commitment to a lifetime of love for this rare and beautiful breed. It’s a commitment that we take very seriously. We will never sell a puppy who has health problems or is not genetically sound.