One of Pickles/Baker pups, "Truman", (Do Gato's Expresso Con Panna), owned and loved by the Fiore Family in New Jersey, was shown to his AKC Championship at 16 months by PHA Pam Bober. Well Done Truman!
FLASH!! Pickles/Deuce daughter "Noley" (Do Gato's Louca Noley), finished her Championship in style — she won Open Bitches and then Winner Bitch at the PWD Club of America 18th National Specialty in Whittington, Illinois in September 2009, and followed by winning the same at Purina Farms, finishing her AKC Championship (pending verification) — she is now Ch. Do Gato's Louca Noley.
Kitty and Pickles keep themselves very busy with their therapy work. We make visits at least 5 days a week to different facilities (sometimes more than one facility per day); from elementary and high school at-risk children, Gero-Psychiatric patients, Maximum Security prisoners, and many other facilities.
We remain a proud founding team of Reading with Rover, as well as being members of R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs).
Do Gato at Westminster Kennel Club, New York
2006 found Jonah (Ch. Do Gato’s A Cura Com Amor) showing at Westminster Kennel Club, Madison Square Garden, New York. While he didn’t win, he showed well in “the blizzard of the century”. Jonah has more than a dozen Best of Breed wins, as well as two Group Placements and an Award of Merit by the Southern California PWD Club in 2005.
Jonah is owned and loved by Elana Winsberg and Mike Barber of Seattle.
2007 found sisters Pickles and Dazzle (Ch. Do Gato's Catwoman and Ch. Do Gato's Dazzling Diamante) competing in a fine field of 30 PWDs at Westminster. Dazzle arrived in NY with multiple BOBs and a Group Placement, and she made the first cut of PWDs from 30 to 9. A snow/ice storm stranded our intrepid contingent for 3 extra days, but it didn't dampen our fun! Dazzle returned to the Garden in 2008, shown by Dad Jim Beach.
I breed perhaps once a year, and traditionally there has been a waiting list for our puppies. Our next lovely girl up will be Billie, with a breeding planned for late fall 2009. With the publicity generated now that President Obama and his family are proudly owned by Bo, PWD, I cannot stress enough that anyone considering a Portuguese Water Dog needs to do their research carefully. Conscientious breeders participate fully in the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Breeder Ethics and health testing programs. Sometimes people will drop off our waiting list because they "just can't wait". Please, in addition to me, contact several breeders; inquire about health testing (ask for proof), socialization, etc. Choose the breeder you want to work with. Your breeder should be available to you for the life of your beloved pet. References are gladly given by my puppy owners (several of whom have gotten more than 1 dog from me).
First, foremost, and always = what's best for the breed, and the best for my dogs, is what comes first.
Our New Addition:
She's RainCity Do Gato Miss Brown To You. Billie is a beautiful rich brown color. She was bred by Angela and Pamela Harding, RainCity PWDs. Billie's Dad is Jonah, and her Mom is AKC/Int'l. Ch. RainCity's All That Jazz, RN.
Billie made her ring debut in Canada at 6 months. She sprinkled her wins from 1st to 3rd Places during her weekend of fun (and I DO mean fun!). I guess it's a good thing when the Judge is laughing at you and your puppy, but gives you the ribbon after requesting an encore run around the ring!
Laurie Hardman
Do Gato PWDs
Sirius Healing AAA/AAT
