Samador Portuguese Water Dogs  is located in the  Cowichan Valley, just north of Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

 A word about who and what is “Samador”

Samador is my kennel name,  registered with the Canadian Kennel Club.  It is a name that was originally registered in 1974.  At that time I had Samoyeds and Labradors - thus,   “Samador”. Since 2008, my kennel name, “Samador” is permanently registered with the Canadian Kennel Club as a result of fulfilling certain required qualifications to earn that right.

I have been involved in the sport of dogs since 1969 when I got my first Samoyed.  She was a lovely girl and was to become the first Samoyed bitch to achieve an Obedience Trial Championship in Canada.  I had a number of Samoyeds, some very good American imports and they were all shown to conformation and obedience titles.  One was the top winning obedience Samoyed in Canada.  My Labradors were also exhibited in conformation and obedience and I had several fine Champions as well as one Obedience Trial Champion.

In 1990 , when we were living in the British Virgin Islands, I met and  fell in love with the Portuguese Water Dog.  Since then, I have been very active in the breed  serving on the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of British Columbia and the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada.  I have served on the board of the PWDCC as a director and as president for many years.  I have been a member of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America since 1992 and a member of the Canadian Kennel Club for more years than I can remember.  I was a member of the Lowchen Club of Canada and have been the B.C. director.  In 2002 I co-chaired the LCC National Specialty Show.  I am or have been a  member of the Tyee Kennel Club and  the Cowichan Dog Obedience Training Club. I am an active member of  the Vancouver Island Dog Judges Study Group and was a founding member of Discover Dogs Vancouver Island.

In 2000 I had the privilege of chairing the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada’s First National Specialty Show which drew an entry of over 80 dogs from Canada and the USA.  I have chaired many specialties and booster events since that time including National Specialties in 2005 and 2008 as well as numerous Regional Specialties.  I and continue to do so. 

I have shown countless PWDs to their Championships and have bred many  litters of Portuguese Water Dogs over the years as well as 3 litters of Lowchens.  Many of my home bred PWDs were shown and all finished their Championships with wins at large shows. My stud dog “Am Can Ch Echobay’s Samador Makin’ Music” (Mozart) was the top male PWD in Canada in 2001.  He sired many champions, water trial certificate winners and event winners during his life  He died in 2009.  

In 1999 I acquired my first two Lowchen and showed both to their  championships.  I was fortunate to acquire my third, an American Champion, and bred three litter of pups from him.  Several of these pups were shown in the USA and another  finished his Canadian Championship. I no longer have Lowchens but continue to appreciate the breed.

I only breed a litter or two a year and  don’t advertise except for my web site.  My pups are raised in the house under foot and sold on non-breeding contracts.  Not many of my pups are seen in the show ring as I do not look for show homes for them.  If their families wish to show or compete in other events I am delighted, but that is not my primary goal. I breed only for myself and keep a pup from each litter to be shown.  My older girls are re-homed when they are finished their breeding period so that each lives out her life as a cherished family companion.

I am actively pursuing my CKC judging credentials 2009 have completed the requirements to judge the Working Group.   Becoming a judge is a very long process and I am looking forward to continuing to  achieving this goal. My next Group will be the Non Sporting Group.

I have been privileged to travel quite extensively to many places in the USA as well as Europe and Scandinavia to see dogs on a global basis.  I also go to Westminster every year to take the judging seminars from the Dog Judges’ Association of America and, of course, see the show.

I believe each little puppy is a precious treasure to be carefully nurtured and cherished.  I try to follow my pups for their entire lives to make sure they are always safe, secure and loved.  My pups must come back to me at any time during their lives should the owners not be able, for any reason, to keep them.