Breeding program

Thank you for your interest in Hope Kennels breeding program! Hope Kennels follows a disciplined breeding program where our aim is to focus on both the health and conformation of the breed, with the goal of improving our line with each generation of puppies. To date, Hope Kennels has produced 11 litters of puppies, having a litter about every other year since 2002.  We anticipate the “L” litter in spring, 2025. 

Litter history

“A” Litter:  June 13, 2002 (co-bred with Neocles)
Sire - CH Northwind’s Jackson
Dam - CH Neocles Eeve of Hope

“B” Litter:  February 14, 2004
Sire - CH Mare Alta Diablo
Dam - CH Sun Joy Wind of Hope AWD

“C” Litter:  May 23, 2005
Sire - CH Sun Joy’s Next Generation 
Dam - CH Neocles A Cup of Hope 

“D” Litter:  July 15, 2005 (co-bred with Neocles)
Sire - CH Peja Comico Cabrito CD RE
Dam - CH Neocles Eeve of Hope

“E” Litter:  June 5, 2006
Sire - CH Watermark Time will Tell MX MXJ
Dam - CH Sun Joy Wind of Hope AWD

“F” Litter:  April 1, 2008
Sire - CH Peja Divine Comedy of Hope AWD
Dam - CH Sun Joy Wind of Hope AWD

“G” Litter: May 1, 2009
Sire - CH Due West of Hope
Dam - BISS CH Praia Norte Breeze of Hope CDX RN

“H” Litter:  May 11, 2010
Sire - GCH CH MACH13 PACH4 Neocles Pepin Waves Of Hope RN MXG4 MJB5 MXP10 MXPC MJP17 MJPG2 PAX4 NF T2B
Dam - CH Cuppa Tea of Hope

“I” Litter:  January 15, 2013
Sire - CH Northwind’s Jackson
Dam - CH Forever Smooch of Hope 

“J” Litter: June 5, 2017
Sire - GCHB RBIS Peja Knock One of the Park AOM 
Dam - CH Burwell Inspired Smooch’s Beiju at Marina of Hope

“K” Litter:  May 3, 2022
Sire - CH Peja Mojito w/ Titos N Lime
Dam - CH Burwell’s Jeweled Tiara at Marina of Hope


To learn more about the health of any of the PWDs mentioned above, please visit the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). All of the sires and dams listed above, and their offspring, can be searched in the OFA database using their full AKC name.

Genetic Testing

Hope Kennels follows the recommendations of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) and our PWDS complete the following genetic tests before being considered for our breeding program:

  • Eye exam by a certified ophthalmologist. Our dogs are examined yearly until the age of 10 years.

  • Early Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy (EOPRA)

  • GM1 Storage Disease (Gangliosidosis)

  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia 

  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDCM)

  • Microphthalmia Syndrome (MO). Learn more about how Hope Kennels contributed to the DNA marker test!

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

  • Chondrodystrophy (CCDY) and Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

  • Improper Coat

Learn more about the recommended genetic tests for PWDs.  

Conformation 

Hope Kennels participates in the sport of dog showing. All PWDs being considered for the breeding program have completed at least their championship with the American Kennel Club.  Our goal is to breed dogs that adhere to the breed standard and with each successive litter, our goal as a kennel is to improve the quality of our dogs. Learn more about the PWD breed standard, as described by the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.