What to expect when you get your PWD from Hope Kennels

Thank you for considering Hope Kennels for your first (or next) Portuguese Water Dog. Our puppies are home raised in Stillwater, Minnesota. We work hard to expose our puppies to many experiences that will help them get ready for life with their families. Our puppies stay with us until they are between 10-11 weeks old as they learn much about play and socialization from their mother and littermates during this time.  

At Hope Kennels, we get to know your family's lifestyle, preferences, and hopes for dog ownership.  We use this information, our “Puppy Combine” and experience with the personalities and habits of the individual puppies to determine the best puppy for your family.  

How we get puppies ready for their forever homes: 

• Multiple nail trims, baths, and blow dries on the grooming table

• Dewormer (on average, 4-5 times)

• 6 week vet exam (Parvo vaccine and general health exam)

• 9 week vet exam (first distemper vaccine, microchipping, and general health exam)

• 9-10 weeks, “Puppy Combine” - our take on temperament and conformation evaluation 

• 10 week eye exam by a certified veterinary ophthalmologist 

• Puppies will have an established daily schedule and come home crate trained

• After all health exams are completed and the Puppy Combine, you will find out what puppy is going home with your family 

Interested in a PWD from Hope Kennels? Fill out our interest form.