You should be able to answer YES to all the questions below :
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Will the puppy/dog have someone at home to give them a potty break in the time list below:…
4 hours or less - at age 8 weeks to 1 year ?
7 hours or less - at age > 1 year?
Will other pets in your home be accepting of a new energetic puppy in the home?
Will you puppy/dog be an INDOOR dog?
Will you crate train your puppy to potty train it from 8 weeks to 1 year of age?
Will you spay / Neuter your puppy/dog per the agreement / signed contract ?
Will you exercise daily with your puppy/dog?
Will you socialize the puppy/dog around other people/pets?
Have you previously owned a Portuguese Water Dog OR have you researched the breed to understand the temperament, grooming needs, exercise needs of the breed?
This breed requires high quality protein rich food. Protein should be the first ingredient in the food you feed. Either feed a raw diet or look at the food ingredient list and make sure it is high in protein and that the first ingredient in the list is Salmon, Chicken, etc. Highly recommend no beef. Will you feed your puppy a high protein food?
These dogs are chewing dogs. They need plenty of dog toys. They like to chew on wood. They need lots chew toys that are nearly indestructible. Toy recommendations are: Westpaw brand; Kong brand, Heavy Dog Ropes with knots (when these wear down throw them away); Petstages Dogwood; Benebone brand; Benebone Maplestick. Will you provide plenty of play toys for your puppy?
Grooming fees for this breed can be expensive. You will need to plan on purchasing good quality clippers to help maintain the coat and/or take the dog to the groomers. We recommend that you do both. In hot climates, it is recommended to keep their coat cut in the retriever clip in order to keep the dog cooler. Also you will need to start clipping their nails when they are a small puppy for them to get used to this feeling. Also brush them often to keep knots out of their coats. You will need to keep the ears clean and maintained also with a high quality ear wash to guard against infection. Will you maintain your puppy/dogs coat throughout their lifetime?
Will your puppy/dog be supervised when outside off leash?
Will your puppy/dog be kept up-to-date on it's yearly medication at a Veterinarian? This includes rabies vaccinations, yearly checkups, heart-worm checks/treatments, flea/tick.
It is highly recommended that you either train your puppy at an early age or you take your puppy to dog training classes. This is a highly energetic breed. You must be the “ALFA” over them. In fact – your entire family, including the children must be ALFA over the dog and the dog must understand this. We can give you some recommendations. Will you train and/or take your puppy to training classes?
