Vol XII, Issue #2 - Spring Edition, 2026

Location: Jumping Chollas Agility

Trial Chair: Janis Watts

You can find out all about Fetch at: https://www.akc.org/fetch/ 

RSPWDCAZ Water Trials, May 6 & 7, 2026

SAVE THE DATE!

RSPWDC is hosting Water Trials at Canyon Lake near Phoenix AZ on May 6 and 7, 2026. 

See Premium... Entries opened March 17th and close April 18th at PerfDog.com

Our trials are held at the Canyon Lake Marina Campground. Camping spots are available and filling fast. Make your reservations for RV or tent camping directly with the Marina campgrounds.

Chair: Lauren McDermott

lmcdermott@cox.net

• April 25, 2026, at the RSPWDCAZ Fetch Trials
• Time: After Trials, around 10:30am

'THANK YOU to everyone who entered, enjoyed our luncheon and comradery, and our fun 50/50 and Basket Raffles! 

Special thank you to our Sweepstakes Judge, Becky Morin - what a great treat to have you with us again, and Specialty Judge Ms. Cheryl Patterson, both so wonderful with our dogs, owners, and handlers!

We couldn't have done it again without our great Specialty Committee - Jim Beach, Co-Chair; Sherri Horstman, Trophies (and everything I threw at her); Gail Gomez, Janis Welsh, and Lauren McDermott who handled the hospitality tent and ticket sales with the utmost professionalism and organization! 

I have loved being your Chair these past few years and so thoroughly enjoy seeing all of our friends from Arizona and beyond as well as meeting more and more new PWD owners!'

• Lynn Nelson

'Having Fun at Agility'

-Kathy Groschupf, RSPWDCAZ Member, 'Salty Dog' Co-editor

NADAC Trial Novice Weavers Video

Agility is a team activity that is a fun and exciting way to exercise and mentally stimulate your PWD and yourself. There are many opportunities to enter agility trials in Arizona during the fall and winter months because there are several organizations that host trials, e.g., AKC (American Kennel Club), NADAC (North American Dog Agility Club), USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association), and CPE (Canine Performance Events). All clubs have their own rules, variety of games, measures of performance, and titles. So, a person can choose which organization fits them best.

With my current dog, Doubloon, I have entered AKC and NADAC trials.

Check out our two recent Tucson videos above, Open Jumpers and Novice Weavers.

I like these videos because they show various aspects of agility:

1)    Teamwork. Doubloon stays with me and doesn’t leave the course.

2)    Focus. Doubloon pays attention to me regardless of distractions, particularly at the start line of the Weavers run – notice the PWD-like dog that walks by and plays with another dog and their handlers.

3)    Enthusiasm. I think Doubloon likes agility – he expresses enjoyment with almost every obstacle (turn down the volume!)

4)    Persistence. Keep going. I can finally run with Doubloon on the course. I had both knees replaced, and now I can keep up with him and be part of his team.

5)    Enjoyment. Even though Doubloon knocked the bar on the last obstacle of his Jumpers run, we still had a great time together and celebrated as if he had qualified. We did qualify on the Weavers run, and it was fun, too!

This says it all. . .

'Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores, a title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in record and in memory for as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard.

And though the dog itself doesn't know or care that its achievements have been noted, a title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

And a title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with it because it was a good dog, that you believed in it enough to give it yet another chance when it failed, and that, in the end, your faith was justified.

A title proves that your dog inspired you to that special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over, the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of pride in one small set of initials after the name.

A title earned is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, and permanently recorded.'

My first two Portuguese Water Dogs came to me in 1984 & 1985, already named by their breeders. Both names were Portuguese words, “Lucy” (Lucia Flor de Mar) and “Leza” (Gentileza do Mar), and with both girls their breeders stressed that they felt it was important to use the Portuguese language when naming them.

That seemed to be a reasonable request and it was a request that I chose to carry out in future breedings.I must admit that many times it was quite challenging to come up with names when I knew nothing about the language and mostly turned to Portuguese dictionaries for answers.

During those days there was no access to the many resources now available made possible by the internet, but undaunted, I managed to get them all a Portuguese name!

So recently, while working on the puppy name article, I came across what I thought a particularly interesting piece discussing the variety and options for names. So, I would like to share this with you and hope you find it interesting:

Portuguese Dog Names

Portuguese dog names offer a rich variety of options inspired by language, culture, history, nature, and folklore. For male puppies, names like Adao (earth or red), Aleixo (defender), Breno (king), Davi (beloved), and Luiz (famous warrior) are popular choices. Other notable names include Carlito (little man), Edmundo (protector of prosperity), Frederico (peaceful ruler), and Maximiano (the greatest). For female puppies, names such as Ana (favor or grace), Branca (white), Doroteia (gift from God), Leticia (happiness), and Sofia (wisdom) are frequently chosen. Additional female names include Luisa (famous warrior), Matilde (mighty in battle), and Suzana (a lily}.

Names derived from Portuguese words and concepts are also widely used. For instance, "Fado" (destiny) and "Sofia" (wisdom) are popular, as are nature-inspired names like "Céu" (sky), "Lua" (moon), "Mar" (sea), "Montanha" (mountain), and "Rio" (river). Names like "Bom" (good), "Feliz" (happy), "Coragem" (courage), and "Estrela" (star) reflect positive traits and emotions. Unique and playful names include "Fofo" (cute or soft), "Biscoito" (biscuit), and "Bolinho" (little cake).

Historical and cultural references provide further inspiration. Names like Afonso, Carlos, João, and Manuel honor Portuguese royalty and historical figures. Cities and regions such as Lisbon, Porto, and the Azores (Açores) are also used as names. Folklore and mythology contribute names like "Lobo" (wolf), "Moura" (supernatural being), "Sereia" (mermaid), and "Trasgo" (mischievous goblin). Mythical creatures such as "Boto Cor-de-rosa" (river dolphin) and "Curupira" (shape-shifter) also inspire unique names.

For the Portuguese Water Dog breed specifically, popular names include Ellie, Elliott, heldon, Simon, and Scooter for males, and Sicily, River, and Sunny for females. Other common names for this breed are Beckett, Charlie, Magnus, and Rio, reflecting their intelligence, water-loving nature, and energetic personalities.

Below is an update on the Microphthalmia (MOS) Genetic Testing that was recently sent to the PWDCA Board of Directors.

'Dear Members of the PWDCA Board,

The Portuguese Water Dog Foundation recently requested that PennGen Laboratories at the University of Pennsylvania review several Portuguese Water Dog samples that had produced inconsistent results for the Puppy Eye Syndrome or Microphthalmia (MOS) genetic test. We appreciate the patience of the community while this review was conducted.

As part of this investigation, PennGen performed DNA identity testing comparing previously submitted samples with newly collected samples from the same dogs. The DNA identity profiles from the original and newly submitted samples did not match, indicating that the earlier and more recent samples were not derived from the same individual dogs.

According to PennGen, this finding provides a likely explanation for the previously observed discrepancies in MOS test results. When samples associated with the same dog do not share the same DNA identity profile, it indicates that a mix-up occurred at some point in the collection, labeling, or preparation of the samples prior to testing. While it is not possible to determine exactly where this occurred, PennGen indicated that an error could have happened during sample collection, submission, or during initial laboratory processing when the samples were received and DNA was prepared.

Importantly, PennGen emphasized that these findings do not indicate a problem with the MOS genetic assay itself, but rather that the samples being compared originated from different dogs. The inheritance pattern for MOS remains consistent with previously published data for this condition.

Some of the samples involved in this review were originally processed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when laboratory operations across many institutions experienced disruptions to normal workflows. While it is not possible to determine precisely where the sample identity issue occurred, these circumstances may have contributed to challenges in sample handling during that period.



PennGen has informed the Foundation that since that time the laboratory has implemented additional procedural safeguards and updated internal protocols to further strengthen sample handling and processing workflows and reduce the possibility of sample mix-ups in the future.



As with any genetic test, the accuracy of results ultimately depends on the integrity of the sample submitted and proper identification of the dog at the time of collection.

Owners who wish to confirm their dog’s MOS status may submit a new sample for testing. PennGen has indicated that they will offer recheck testing for $20 per sample. Owners wishing to take advantage of this option should include “RECHECK20” in the comments section of the submission form.

We appreciate the cooperation and patience of the Portuguese Water Dog community as this issue was reviewed. The Portuguese Water Dog Foundation remains committed to supporting research, transparency, and the responsible use of genetic testing to improve the health of the breed.

Sincerely,

Portuguese Water Dog Foundation'

A dark spot on a Portuguese Water Dog's tongue is usually a harmless, flat pigment spot (like a freckle) caused by concentrated skin cells. These are common in many breeds and often appear as the dog matures.

Sometimes it is handed down from one of the parents. Most dogs are either born with these spots or develop them when they are young. It’s super common. It’s kind of like a birth mark for dogs.

Black spots are simply pigmentation.

While mostly benign, any new, rapidly growing, or raised spot should be examined by a veterinarian. You should have a vet examine the spot if it shows the following changes:

• Texture change: The spot becomes raised, irregular, or bumpy.
• Rapid growth: It grows or changes shape/color quickly.
• New spots: Sudden appearance of new spots in an older dog.
• Pain/Behavior: The dog shows signs of pain, excessive drooling, or difficulty eating. 

If the spot has been there for a long time without changing and is flat, it is likely just a natural part of your dog's appearance.

I think we all know the answer to this one... 'No.'

You should never leave your dog in a car, even with the windows cracked.

Cracking windows does not significantly lower the internal temperature, which can reach over 120F in minutes, leading to heatstroke, brain damage, or death. In many places, this is considered animal cruelty and is illegal.

Key Dangers and Facts

• Rapid Heating: On a day, a car's interior can reach in just 10 minutes, with the temperature rising nearly as fast with cracked windows.
• No Safety in Shade: Parking in the shade is not enough to keep the vehicle safe.
• High Risk: Dogs cannot release heat as efficiently as humans, making them highly susceptible to fatal heatstroke.
• Legal Consequences: 28 states have laws against leaving pets in unattended vehicles, and in some, citizens are legally protected when rescuing animals from hot cars.

Here is a very interesting article by Kyle Simchuk, 12NEWS, that was in the news a few days ago. 

This is my PWD, Doubloon, in Evan MacLean's lab at Univ of AZ doing a task for the Dog Aging Project, in a study to learn how aging affects dog cognition. 

He isn't old enough to enroll in the specific project mentioned in this article.

Janis Welsh has her dog, Violet, also participating in the project.

They are looking for more dogs for this particular study, 10-13 years old, and 33-55 lbs.

Here is the complete article:

"Big dogs may die younger, but their brains don’t seem to age any faster than smaller dogs. 

That finding is driving new research from the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, where scientists are studying why dogs of all sizes appear to experience cognitive aging at roughly the same pace.

Evan MacLean is an associate professor of veterinary medicine who is examining how a growth hormone called IGF-1 may influence brain health in aging dogs.

“Based on their different lifespans, you might expect large dogs like Great Danes to develop signs of dementia around 8 years old, but small dogs like Chihuahuas to have a later onset, somewhere in their teens,” MacLean said. “But that's not what we find. The implication is kind of interesting: It means that big dogs may just die before they acquire any kind of cognitive dysfunction.”

MacLean’s upcoming project, the Study of IGF 1, Neurocognitive Aging and Longevity, or SIGNAL, will explore whether levels of IGF-1, also known as insulin-like growth factor 1, play a role in how dogs’ brains age. The study is supported by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and will include 75 medium-sized dogs from the local community.

“Our hypothesis is that dogs with higher IGF-1 concentrations are going to perform better on our cognitive tasks,” MacLean said. “That is because IGF-1, in addition to being involved in the body's growth pathways, also affects the brain. While this hormone may cause some bad outcomes like cancer, it may also influence how neurons repair themselves after an injury or even stimulate neural growth in the brain. There are some intriguing studies that show a relationship between IGF-1 concentrations in humans and the risk of dementia, but we're not sure why.”

MacLean, who leads the Arizona Canine Cognition Center, said studying pet dogs could also help scientists better understand aging in people."