Baycliff's Breeding Program

We adhere to our established breeding standards in our efforts to breed conscientiously:

·        Baycliff breeds American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation champions, to ensure our dogs conform to the Breed Standard of the Portuguese Water Dog.

·       Baycliff researches pedigrees up to five generations to determine the best possible pairings of PWDs, based on health issues in the dogs' background.   

·       Baycliff PWDs are medically and genetically tested, to meet the standards of the PWDCA:

OPTIGEN provides DNA diagnoses of progressive rod-cone degeneration, a form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy which causes blindness.      

The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) examinations identify other hereditary eye diseases.  Only dogs with ratings of "normal" or "clear" are bred.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals  (OFA) certifies hip x-rays.  Only dogs with ratings of “Good” or  “Excellent” are bred. 

GM-1 Storage Disease testing is done to prevent this genetic disorder.   

Baycliff breeds to produce dogs that are physically and emotionally sound, to meet the standards of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, and ensure the integrity of our breeding program.  Understand, however, that testing and Mother Nature give us no guarantees.  It is through selective breeding, based on medical/genetic testing and the careful research of pedigrees, that we are best able to produce healthy purebred dogs.     

Please call us or "contact us", by e-mail, with your questions and concerns.  

For more information on PWD’s Health Issues, please visit PWDCA’s website: www.pwdca.org