Red River Kennels
- Wakeman, OH
Upcoming litters
Planned Portuguese Water Dog litter
Due Dec. 2025
Ready Feb. 2026
Meet the breeder
I'm Janet M., the breeder behind Red River Kennels located in Wakeman, OH. We are a passionate and dedicated breeding program that produces dogs with great athleticism and temperaments. We commit ourselves towards preparing each one of our puppies to thrive in their new homes, and we enjoy working with their new families so that they can raise their beloved companions with confidence!
Q. & A. with Janet
Why did you start breeding?
I have loved dogs since childhood and always had one or more as an adult. I was an IT project manager so I didn't have much time on weekends or evenings to do dog sports but made a plan that when I retired I would become a Portuguese Water Dog Breeder. I contacted several breeders to find someone who would be a mentor for me and I found a wonderful mentor who took me under his wing. It's been 8+ years since my first litter and I become more and more passionate about the breed!What makes your program special?
My program is special due to the time and energy I commit to each and every mother and puppy. All puppies are raised in my home with their mother, aunts and uncle and grandmother. The puppies start out in their whelping pen, and by the time they are ready to go home, they've had access to 5 acres and many experiences. They go for car rides and nursing home visits. They are very well socialized and accustomed to change so every buyer gets a confident, well adjusted dog. We've had dogs go on to be service dogs, show dogs, performance dogs and of course pets!What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include brown and white and black and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Pinky
Went homeFemale
Yellow
Went homeMale
Green
Went homeMale
Mr Orange
Went homeMale
Mr. Blue
Went homeMale
Mr Purple
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Janet
Janet has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $500 refundable deposit and between $3,000 - $3,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“The price includes first set of shots, AKC registration, and food to go home with to transition. . ”
Contract & health guarantee
Janet may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Janet offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Janet directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
What’s included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
- Microchip
Extras
- AKC registration
- Registration
- Initial potty training
- Toys
- Food & treats
- Basic obedience & manners
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Janet.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Wakeman, OH
4159 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Cleveland Hopkins Airport
4131 miles away
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More about Janet
Club memberships
Janet is a member of Great Lakes Portuguese Water Dogs and Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.
Certifications & recognitions
PWDCA Breeder Education and Outreach Committee, CHIC Certified, American Kennel Club Canine College, AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T., AKC Breeder of Merit.
Janet has been a member of Good Dog for over 4 years
Janet was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.
Janet’s links
Janet is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Red River Kennels meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Janet M.
Program update on 31 Mar. •Remaining pups going home this week. Mr. Mello Yellow is still waiting to find his forever home
Janet M.
Program update on 17 Mar. •Two little buddies still available! All shots up to date. AKC registered. Chipped
Janet M.
Litter update on 27 Jan. •…We’re playing a new game today called “let’s see how long it takes puppies to get all the toys out of the boat! They’ve had their first trip to the vet and got their first vaccination. They also have had pork and duck. Next is salmon.
Grady and River's litter
Janet M.
Program update on 16 Jan. •…They are getting big and sassy! They have had 5 different habitats and are on their 4th protein (turkey, chicken, lamb, beef). They use litter and grass to potty and are getting more and more precise daily. They have seen the snow and ventured out a little bit but due to the low temps came right back in. They are eating in crates individually. The next big step is car rides which will begin this weekend.
Janet M.
Program update on 20 Dec. 2024 •They start litter training today and started sound sensitivity training yesterday. The playlist includes crowd noises, traffic, guns, crying babies, sirens, horns, farm equiptment , fireworks, and more
Janet M.
Litter update on 20 Dec. 2024 •These pups just started their fourth week!
Grady and River's litter
Janet M.
Program update on 05 Dec. 2024 •…The guys and gal are one week old today. Mom and pops are doing fabulous. Pups gaining weight everyday and mom is keeping things nice and clean. ENS exercises have begun as well as scent introduction of birch and cypress.
Parent dogs
Breezy, mom
Portuguese Water Dog
About Breezy
Breezy is a friendly and happy girl. She competes in Portuguese Water Dog Water Trials, and is currently at the Working Water Dog Level. She also competes in Rally Obedience and has her Novice Title. She also competes in scent work where she has an interior Novice container title and working on her Novice Interior and Buried titles. She is also titled in Trick Dog and Fetch. But her favorite sport is Frisbee toss and fetch!!!!
Uploaded health tests
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA).River, mom
Portuguese Water Dog
About River
River is a very sweet girl. She's also talented in Agility and continues to add to her titles, along with Obedience-Rally. She's very smart and has excelled in everything she tries.
Excellent health testing
Microphthalmia Syndrome (PES), Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, +5 more.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Red River Kennels reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Portuguese Water Dogs.
Hip Dysplasia , Hip Dysplasia (Preliminary)
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Microphthalmia Syndrome (PES), OFA/CHIC DNA Repository, Early Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy (EOPRA), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, GM1 Gangliosidosis, Portuguese Water Dog Type
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Janet to bring home their puppies.
Ryan K.
Verified owner · June 2025
Janet was extremely knowledgeable and easy to communicate with. She was very punctual and made it a priority to provide me with as much information as possible. The dogs’ areas were extremely clean and well kept, and the dogs were well groomed and extremely healthy. Janet most definitely cares about the lives of her dogs after she sends them home, and even provides a shared photo album for owners to upload pictures of their pups throughout their lifetime. She catered to my personal needs tremendously and was willing to hold the dog for me until after I returned from vacation, while also allowing me to visit our pup Harvey multiple times before we picked him up. Harvey has been nothing but a joy since we brought him into our home. He was almost fully house trained the day we brought him home, and is extremely well socialized with people and other dogs. He has bonded with me and is my own personal shadow, following me around the house and yard. I would recommend Janet to anyone looking to bring a Portuguese Water Dog into their home, and would definitely work with her again in the future.
