SUN JOY Portuguese Water Dogs

Established in 1984 / Breeding since 1987

Robust / Intelligent / Independent / Spirited / Brave

Sun Joy's Philosophy

Sun Joy's Portuguese Water Dogs are bred for show, performance, and fine family homes. All puppies are home raised and come from a background of champion and performance titled adults. Sun Joy is proud of their 1996 Westminister Kennel Club winners, and 1998 PWDCA National Specialty Winners. Sun Joy's water dogs have been ranked in the top ten for confirmation and performance by the PWDCA for multiple years.

 

SUN JOY History

In 1984, after researching the breed for two years, Ms. Jorgensen acquired her first PWD, she was Ch Windjammer Gata of Sun Joy CD. In 1987 she bred her first litter, purchased her first male, Ch Neocles Duke O'Sun Joy White Cap CD, and imported Kalinda do Condinho, "Kae"

“Kae” was the beginning of something very special for Ms. Jorgensen. She was shown to her first major at Westminster KC in 1990 and Kae’s son, Am/Can Ch Sun Joy's Guarda O'Mar Alto CD, won Best of Breed there in 1996.

Best of Opposite at that show was Guarda's litter mate, Ch Seamajik Golfinho de Sun Joy. Kae’s son from her first litter, owned by Dana Kellerman in Chicago, distinguished himself in the Conformation ring and won a BIS also.

Next came "Moses", Am/Ca. Ch Sun Joy's Master Plan, the National Speciality winner in 1998. Again Golfinho won the Best Opposite. “Kae”s last breeding was to "Duke" and they produced "Quinn" – BIS/BISS Am/BIS Can Ch Sun Joy's Cao' Grande Q.T.

During these years Ms. Jorgensen and her daughter Carrie showed their dogs in both Conformation and Obedience, earning titles in both areas.

Being a nurse, Ms. Jorgensen had a special interest in the breed’s genetic issues. She was involved in 1986 with GM-1 research and Dr. Elroy of Tufts University and contributed to early research for PRA by contributing, along with other breeders with related pedigrees, four generations of blood samples to get the testing off the ground.

Ms. Jorgensen’s priority in her breeding program is temperament – “to produce healthy, sweet-tempered dogs that are good working dogs whether family companions, therapy dogs, special needs dogs or show dogs”. She also feels you need a good sense of humour to live with these guys.