Topsail PWDs

Kari L.

Breeder of Portuguese Water Dogs

  • Blackstone, MA
  • Responds within a day

Available puppies and older dogs

Lando

Ready Nov. 30

2 years old · Male

Meet the breeder

I'm Kari L., the breeder behind Topsail PWDs located in Blackstone, MA. We are a small hobby kennel that may breed once a year or not at all. We are interested in producing a line that is clear of as many health problems as possible and that produces great temperaments with work ethics and great structure. Portuguese Water Dogs are wonderful animals, full of exuberance, fiercely loyal and loving to family, and very intelligent. They can be good with older children, and can happily chill on your feet or, better yet, curled up on your couch or lap. However, these dogs are not a perfect fit for everyone and we require that potential owners meet our dogs to assess the fit of the breed and our line with the applicant's entire family. NOTE: despite people thinking they are hypoallergenic, no dog breed is -- they just shed less hair. But people can be allergic to their saliva and the stuff they bring in on their coat. Go to our link (below) to find out more information about our breeding program and to fill out an application.

Q. & A. with Kari

  • Why did you start breeding?

    A friend and co-researcher who breeds PWDs gave us a breeding bitch and mentored us for the lifetime of that dog. We spent 7 years learning how to train these dogs and working with our breeder and co-breeding before we started breeding on our own 4 years later (in 2018). We have used Good Dog's resources to learn as much as we can about breeding dogs (Avidog, Fit to Be Tied, breeding webinars).

  • What makes your program special?

    We care about choosing who and when to breed. We care about choosing a compatible male for type, temperament, and health. We care about raising puppies in a way that provides them with mental stimulation and novel experiences so that they have confidence in the real world. We care about choosing good homes that are a good fit for the breed and for our puppies. We have placed puppies in homes where they are beloved family pets and in homes where they compete in agility, flyball, obedience, water, and nosework.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies include black and white and black. 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.

Getting a puppy from Kari

Kari 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

Connect with Kari to learn more details about pricing.

“All of our puppies are the same price regardless of sex or prospects for show homes. Deposit is generally non-refundable, except under extraordinary conditions or if we do not have a puppy that is a good match or if an applicant's living circumstances change. Deposit is non-refundable except under the following circumstances: 1) change in financial circumstances (furlough, layoff, etc.) or 2) not having the right puppy for you. Deposits are only accepted after a full family interview in-person. You will meet my dogs and decide if they are the right kind of dog for you and your family. Approved families have to attend two 1-hour long Zoom meetings to go over diet, supplements, training, grooming, and other relevant issues.”

Contract & health guarantee

Kari 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 Kari 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 Kari 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 in new places
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Vet records
      • Microchip
    • Extras
      • AKC registration
      • Toys
      • Food & treats
      • Registration

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Kari.

Breeder’s location

Meet in Blackstone, MA

More about Kari

  • Club memberships

    Kari is a member of Greater Lowell Kennel Club, Ocean State Agility Club, Wachusetts Kennel Club, Mayflower Portuguese Water Dog Club, Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club, Portuguese Water Dog Club of New England (PWDsNE), Tracking Club of Massachusetts, and ACT-Up Agility Club.

  • Certifications & recognitions

    Fetch and ATT Judge, AKC Breeder of Merit, Puppy Culture Breeder, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, CHIC Certified, AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T., Whelping and Medical Intervention Course Completed (AKC).

  • Kari has been a member of Good Dog for almost 6 years

    Kari was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2019.

  • Kari’s links

Kari is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Topsail PWDs 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

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Great level

Topsail PWDs 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 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.

  • Thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis, registered with OFA), Brucellosis, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Temperament Test

    A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.

  • Chondrodystrophy and IVDD Risk (CDDY-IVDD), Early Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy (EOPRA), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, GM1 Gangliosidosis, Portuguese Water Dog Type, DNA Profile, Optimal Selection Genetic Disease Analysis (180+ Diseases)

    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).

Photos

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Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

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