The Spanish Water Dogs

2008 was a special year for me, as not only did I become the owner of my first Spanish Water Dog, but a second soon joined us as well. I had first admired SWDs at Darlington Championship show when they first began to be shown on the import register. The ones I met whilst judging the Kennel Club's Bronze Good Citizen Dog Scheme, were outgoing, 'up for anything' dogs. Just my type of dog!

I talked to the breeders at Crufts and finally put my name down for a rescue bitch. None came up. I got to know several other SWDs through flyball, then finally one was advertised for sale on the flyball forums. I contact the owners, and then went off to meet her and decide whether I liked her. I did, and Faith came home with me to begin a different career; flyball instead of a working gundog, although she is now thoroughly enjoying some gundog work as well.

Leon came to me via Lynne Walker, his breeder. She needed someone to look after Leon whilst she went away, so I volunteered. Leon has his issues in that he didn't like being touched by strangers and he would also bark and lunge at some people and some dogs. So Leon stayed with us for three weeks while Lynne was away, and when it came time for him to go home, I asked if I could keep him as he has stolen my heart. Lucky for me, Lynne said yes, and Leon became a permanent resident here at Druidale. Leon certainly enjoys life to the full!