PWDCTC Club History

The Synopsis

Since 1985, the PWDCTC has supported the interests of the Portuguese Water Dog breed for our members in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, Minnesota, and surrounding areas.

Our club was officially "born" in April of 1986. Within the first year, we hosted two obedience/conformation workshops, published the first River Readings newsletter, and there was a major in PWD's at the Minneapolis Kennel Club Dog Show.

During the next decade, we obtained AKC sanctioning and began hosting annual Portuguese Water Dog Regional Specialties, helped develop the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Water Trial Manual, and hosted annual Water Trial Workshops and PWDCA Water Trials. We co-chaired the second PWDCA National Specialty.

The Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities continues to help protect the Portuguese Water Dog by sponsoring health, grooming, breed, and training seminars. We will continue to promote responsible ownership and preserve our fine Water Dogs.

The Long Story

An informal meeting was held at Twin City Pet Supply on Chester Street in St. Paul during the month of October 1985. Portuguese Water Dog fanciers discussed the possibility of forming a local breed club to preserve and protect the Portuguese Water Dog, and to educate others in responsible ownership. By April, 1986, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities was officially "born". By-laws and a constitution were approved. Before 1986 ended, the new club had hosted two obedience/conformation workshops, created and distributed an informative brochure describing our club and the Water Dog, and had begun publication of the River Readings newsletter.

The PWDCTC's first Annual Meeting was held on November 1, 1986, giving Helen Berg official status as our first President. Our membership had grown to twenty-five! We had a decorated bench at the Minneapolis Kennel Club Dog Show and there was a major in PWD's.

The following year, 1987, we hosted our first Annual Award's Banquet and Silent Auction, a grooming demonstration by Jill Wheeler Riley, another obedience/conformation workshop, a pot-luck lunch, our first Water Fun Day at Tilsen's beach on the St. Croix River, and another decorated bench at the Minneapolis Kennel Club show with fourteen dogs entered.

During the next decade, members of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities were instrumental in the development and testing of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Water Trial. Our club hosted annual Water Trial Workshops and PWDCA Water Trials. We were the first regional PWD club to obtain AKC sanctioning and began hosting annual Portuguese Water Dog Regional Specialties. We co-chaired the second PWDCA National Specialty. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities continues to help protect the Portuguese Water Dog by sponsoring health, grooming, breed, and training seminars. We will continue to promote responsible ownership and preserve our fine Water Dogs.

		PWDCTC Club History
PWDCTC Home Calendar Regional Specialty Water Trials Club History Club Contacts Membership Merchandise Past Events River Readings Photo Gallery PWD Links		The Synopsis Since 1985, the PWDCTC has supported the interests of the Portuguese Water Dog breed for our members in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, Minnesota, and surrounding areas. Our club was officially "born" in April of 1986. Within the first year, we hosted two obedience/conformation workshops, published the first River Readings newsletter, and there was a major in PWD's at the Minneapolis Kennel Club Dog Show. During the next decade, we obtained AKC sanctioning and began hosting annual Portuguese Water Dog Regional Specialties, helped develop the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Water Trial Manual, and hosted annual Water Trial Workshops and PWDCA Water Trials. We co-chaired the second PWDCA National Specialty. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities continues to help protect the Portuguese Water Dog by sponsoring health, grooming, breed, and training seminars. We will continue to promote responsible ownership and preserve our fine Water Dogs. The Long Story An informal meeting was held at Twin City Pet Supply on Chester Street in St. Paul during the month of October 1985. Portuguese Water Dog fanciers discussed the possibility of forming a local breed club to preserve and protect the Portuguese Water Dog, and to educate others in responsible ownership. By April, 1986, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities was officially "born". By-laws and a constitution were approved. Before 1986 ended, the new club had hosted two obedience/conformation workshops, created and distributed an informative brochure describing our club and the Water Dog, and had begun publication of the River Readings newsletter. The PWDCTC's first Annual Meeting was held on November 1, 1986, giving Helen Berg official status as our first President. Our membership had grown to twenty-five! We had a decorated bench at the Minneapolis Kennel Club Dog Show and there was a major in PWD's. The following year, 1987, we hosted our first Annual Award's Banquet and Silent Auction, a grooming demonstration by Jill Wheeler Riley, another obedience/conformation workshop, a pot-luck lunch, our first Water Fun Day at Tilsen's beach on the St. Croix River, and another decorated bench at the Minneapolis Kennel Club show with fourteen dogs entered. During the next decade, members of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities were instrumental in the development and testing of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Water Trial. Our club hosted annual Water Trial Workshops and PWDCA Water Trials. We were the first regional PWD club to obtain AKC sanctioning and began hosting annual Portuguese Water Dog Regional Specialties. We co-chaired the second PWDCA National Specialty. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities continues to help protect the Portuguese Water Dog by sponsoring health, grooming, breed, and training seminars. We will continue to promote responsible ownership and preserve our fine Water Dogs.

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