PWDCNC Club Officers
Rebecca Morin
President
President, Health & Education, Regional Specialty, Conformation Chair, Editorial Board
I have been involved with animals my entire life. As a child we had a toy poodle then a Boxer but had to give him to friends when we moved to Taiwan in 1968. While in Taiwan we had a variety of dogs, birds, horses, snakes, lizard, guinea pigs and even a water buffalo. We rescued a fox Terrier/Spitz cross after a big typhoon and later bought a Lhasa Apso. As a child I took care of the school’s guard dogs and their puppies (German Shepherds) because I so enjoyed all interactions with animals. We returned to the US in the later part of 1970’s and brought our Lhasa and fox terrier cross with us. The family landed in Pennsylvania where I immediately found a neighbor who bred English Setters and helped him out on weekends. I bought my first dog at 19 while attending college. Chinook CD WTD was an Alaskan Malamute which got me involved in sled dog racing, weight pull and packing. In the early 80’s I started looking for a second breed and focused on Otterhounds and Portuguese Water Dogs. I met Bandido do Mar at our Malamute Specialty in the early 80’s (Doc and Dawn Woods owned Malamutes) and loved him. They offered him to me when they were getting out of water dogs however I was afraid to bring an adult PWD into a home with nine adult Malamutes, so I had to pass. I sought long and hard and with the help of Deyanne Miller I contacted Kathryn Braund (Roughrider) and Mickey (CH Roughrider Pescador De Toraq CD) came into my life in 1987. At the time I was a Commercial Whitewater guide living on the South Fork of the American river and Mickey soon became a hit with the customers at camp and on the river. A short year later Maddie (CH Roughriders Madeira De Toraq CD) joined the home and then Corrie (CH Xacara Do Mar CD) from Sonya Santos (Do Mar), was welcomed in 1990. Mickey and Maddie both ran on my team with Mickey running lead and Maddie point. I bred my first litter in 1990 and the rest is history. I have enjoyed conformation, tracking, water, agility, weight pull, back packing, rally, obedience, nose work, barn hunt, trick dog and dock diving with my dogs. Now that my children are all adults, I can travel to our National Specialties and give more time to the breed I love. I look forward to working with the Board and membership to highlight our lovely dogs and enjoy time with friends and fellow enthusiasts. I currently live with 6 PWD’s aged 1- 12 yrs, a Ridgeback, 2 kittens and 7 finches.
Ann Gaskell
Vice President
Vice President, Regional Specialty, Communications, Programs, OBEDIENCE & RALLY Co-Chair
Laura Wilson
Treasurer
Treasurer
After having various different dogs throughout my life, I was introduced to Portuguese Water Dogs after my husband John and I watched a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and John’s interest was piqued when he saw the PWD. That resulted in our contacting a club officer and we attended a few events and joined the club to see if the PWD might be the breed for us. We even went to the National Specialty that year in Monterey without a dog. Not only did we get to see some great dogs, but we also met a lot of wonderful people. That was in 2000 and in 2001, we ventured down to Arizona to pick up our first PWD from Janis Watts. We named her Blossom and our love of the breed grew from there. Blossom taught us a lot about companionship and training of dogs in general. I did agility with her and John did water work. When Blossom turned 10, we decided that we wanted to have another, so Petals came into our family, again, from Janis Watts. Petals was a wonderful girl and provided us with new challenges in training while I, again, ran agility and John did the water work. In 2020, we added Tuli, from Becky Morin, to our pack and she is currently our only dog. She along with Blossom and Petals have taught us something new about the wonderful world of Portuguese Water Dogs
Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary, WATER WORK, SCENT WORK, Editorial Board
I grew up with dogs but my first serious involvement began in college with an American Cocker Spaniel and obedience training. Looking for a healthier breed I purchased an English Cocker Spaniel bitch imported from England and spent the next 20 years breeding, showing in conformation, obedience and training tracking and field work. I was a member of the Davis Dog Training Club in the 70s and 80s, serving on the board, as an officer, and as an obedience trainer. I took a break from competition and breeding while raising my family. When I chose to return to actively working dogs I researched breeds carefully with an emphasis on health, genetic testing and awareness having had a couple of “well-bred” Standard Poodles with inheritable issues that were denied by their breeders. In 1996, after months of research, I purchased my first PWD from Lorraine Carver and joined the PWDCNC. We did a little conformation but he turned out to be simply interested in being a couch potato. My next dog I was introduced to water work and we competed there and in obedience. In 2004 I decided I was ready to consider returning to breeding and was privileged to purchase Ashbe Legado Somente Uma from Linda Kelly and Janis Watts. We achieved her championship, obedience, tracking, and water work titles. I kept 2 boys from her only litter. Both achieved GCH, rally, water, and Nosework titles. I currently share my home with 4 PWDs each of whom compete/train in a variety of areas, conformation, rally, obedience, tracking, Nosework, Trick Dog, Parkour, and Fetch Dog. I served as Recording Secretary for the PWDCNC for 15 years and continue to serve as Water Committee Chair and Scent Work Chair. Since my return to the board I’ve served as Vice President and currently as Recording Secretary. I’m the current chair of the PWDCA Legislative Issues Committee and a member of the PWDCA Awards committee and a contact member for the Multiple Achievement Certificate program.
PWDCNC Club Directors
Ally Lantis
Director
Junior Showmanship, Director
Entering the first year of a two-year term.
Ally Lantis is a professional Dog Trainer who owns Tailored Dog Training in Concord. She enjoys competing with her PWDs in all faucets. Her children, Elsie and Eli, also partake in dog activities and junior showmanship with several other breeds. Ally is active in the PWDCA as a committee member and the PWDCA Rescue Treasurer. When not doing “dog stuff” she can be found dreaming of dreaming of doing more “dog stuff”!
Janis Welsh
Director
Director
Entering the first year of a two-year term.
I have always had pets and animals in my life. Starting with poodles and horses while I was growing up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Once I was married and had children my husband and I spent several years being transferred with his company to Toronto, New Jersey and then San Jose. My husband spent considerable time travelling and we needed a large dog in the house, but our son had allergies. My research led me to PWDs. That is when our world changed! I connected with Chuck Teasley and soon Poppy came into our lives. Poppy introduced me to dog sports and the great people of the Northern California PWD Club. As a breed I could not have asked for anything more, Poppy was a companion to me and the kids, a guard dog, and the ultimate performance dog. She loves to work, doing tracking, obedience, agility and water. Once we became involved in water work, the highlight of my summers was joining club members on the row boats at ShadowCliff park. In my business as apartment Property Manager, Poppy or Jack are working with me most days, they are gentle with children, regulars in Home Depot, favorites with residents and always “have my back” when I respond to disturbances. If 1 PWD is good, 2 must be better and 3 even better than that. Jack came to us 6 years ago and filled our lives as a lover boy, and recently Violet, a dynamo! Over the years I have volunteered in various dog club positions of the Santa Clara Dog Training Club (tracking and obedience), been Vice President and trial chairfor Palo Alto Hills Tracking Club, Tracking Chair for the 2016PWD National Specialty, board member and Vice President of the PWDCNC (2017 – 2020) My husband, Chris, has retired and the kids are grown and spread over Western US and Canada. As of last year, we have chosen to leave the busy Bay Area. Chris, the pack and I are splitting our time between Truckee, California and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Deborah Price
Director
Membership, Director, AGILITY Co-Chair
Entering the second year of a two-year term.
I have always had a love for animals. As a child, I would bring home any, and all stray animals till they could be reunited with their families. Our home was the first stop before shelters for folks to see if we had their beloved pet, it would drive my mother crazy. Fast forward, as an adult, I am married to James and have two children (twins). We still had many animals, (turtles, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, and cats) and we were ready for a dog. I’ve always had golden retrievers as our family pets, but I was ready to have a different breed. I did some research and met with a few breeders; we landed on Portuguese Water Dogs. We haven’t looked back since. We got our first PWD in 2010, she was the best, was gentle with the kids and just loved being with us, but of course needed fur friends. Second PWD came in 2012, then we unfortunately lost our first in 2020 and just broke our hearts, we were able to adopt our third in late 2020 at 10 months of age, a fourth in 2021and fifth in 2023. I started showing my dogs in 2021 and it has been a new challenge, however loving all the new places we have been to and the great people I have met because of this sport. We also do other sports with our dogs, agility, rally and dabble in nose work. These dogs are our best friends, and we love every minute we get to share with them.
Elaine Rasmussen
Director
Nominating Committee, Director, Editorial Board
Entering the second year of a two-year term.
I met my 1st PWD, Guinness, while I was a marketing director at a tech startup. His “joie de vivre” & intelligence were irresistible. My husband Chris & I fell in love with the breed. After some research and talking to many local breeders, in 1992, a little brown and white female puppy stole our hearts. Her name was Cocoa. My initiation to the PWDCNC was at a water trial in 1993.Wet, happy PWDs (and humans) everywhere! There is nothing better than working with your PWD at what they were originally bred to do. Since, I’ve been club programs chair, water trial secretary, board director, vp, president, regional specialty chair, webmaster, and supporting character in a variety of roles for PWDCA website committee and National specialties including trophy,merchandise and scentwork chairs. We’ve had 8 amazing PWDs over the years. Our current “pack” is Fig, Mercedes and Briza. They are our family. We have bred PWDs since 2006, though we don’t breed often and only when the health, intelligence and temperament stars align. Throughout the years, we’ve competed with our PWDs in conformation, scentwork, obedience, agility, rally & of course water work. They are truly our “best friends”. It’s been a wild & happy trip with Cocoa, Maquah, Zada, Figaro, Mercedes, Elton and Briza, and we’re on it for the long haul.
Bill Waters
Immediate Past President
Immediate Past President
We have always had dogs in our lives and we found ourselves missing the companionship of an active, intelligent, and engaged dog after the passing of our sixteen year old Dalmatian, Doogie, in 2005. Shortly after that, we began our search for the perfect combination of intelligence, strength, and drive all of which had to come in a non-shedding exterior. Little did we know the Perfectly Wonderful Dog also known as the PWD or Portuguese Water Dog would lead us down such an exciting path. Since then we have become actively involved in training, showing, and competing with this amazing breed. Most importantly we get to experience the daily joy of having these amazing dogs in our lives. Each year, we journey to our Regional and National Specialties to participate in conformation and also for the camaraderie of fellow PWD people. This presents a unique opportunity to learn about this breed, develop relationships, and interact with others who are committed to the health, well being, and betterment of our water dogs and of the fancy. We remain actively engaged in training, grooming, and competing. And we can always find time for hikes and adventures with our pack. Most importantly these dogs are part of our home and family. When not training, traveling and competing, our pack can be found running around the property, on a neighborhood walk, attentively at our heels, or nestled in the couch pillows. Or, at times, counter surfing the kitchen, a skill at which they demonstrate innate adeptness.
PWDCNC Club Committee Chairs
Rebecca Morin
President
President, Health & Education, Regional Specialty, Conformation Chair, Editorial Board
I have been involved with animals my entire life. As a child we had a toy poodle then a Boxer but had to give him to friends when we moved to Taiwan in 1968. While in Taiwan we had a variety of dogs, birds, horses, snakes, lizard, guinea pigs and even a water buffalo. We rescued a fox Terrier/Spitz cross after a big typhoon and later bought a Lhasa Apso. As a child I took care of the school’s guard dogs and their puppies (German Shepherds) because I so enjoyed all interactions with animals. We returned to the US in the later part of 1970’s and brought our Lhasa and fox terrier cross with us. The family landed in Pennsylvania where I immediately found a neighbor who bred English Setters and helped him out on weekends. I bought my first dog at 19 while attending college. Chinook CD WTD was an Alaskan Malamute which got me involved in sled dog racing, weight pull and packing. In the early 80’s I started looking for a second breed and focused on Otterhounds and Portuguese Water Dogs. I met Bandido do Mar at our Malamute Specialty in the early 80’s (Doc and Dawn Woods owned Malamutes) and loved him. They offered him to me when they were getting out of water dogs however I was afraid to bring an adult PWD into a home with nine adult Malamutes, so I had to pass. I sought long and hard and with the help of Deyanne Miller I contacted Kathryn Braund (Roughrider) and Mickey (CH Roughrider Pescador De Toraq CD) came into my life in 1987. At the time I was a Commercial Whitewater guide living on the South Fork of the American river and Mickey soon became a hit with the customers at camp and on the river. A short year later Maddie (CH Roughriders Madeira De Toraq CD) joined the home and then Corrie (CH Xacara Do Mar CD) from Sonya Santos (Do Mar), was welcomed in 1990. Mickey and Maddie both ran on my team with Mickey running lead and Maddie point. I bred my first litter in 1990 and the rest is history. I have enjoyed conformation, tracking, water, agility, weight pull, back packing, rally, obedience, nose work, barn hunt, trick dog and dock diving with my dogs. Now that my children are all adults, I can travel to our National Specialties and give more time to the breed I love. I look forward to working with the Board and membership to highlight our lovely dogs and enjoy time with friends and fellow enthusiasts. I currently live with 6 PWD’s aged 1- 12 yrs, a Ridgeback, 2 kittens and 7 finches.Ann Gaskell
Vice President
Vice President, Regional Specialty, Communications, Programs, OBEDIENCE & RALLY Co-Chair
Ally Lantis
Director
Junior Showmanship, Director
Entering the first year of a two-year term.
Ally Lantis is a professional Dog Trainer who owns Tailored Dog Training in Concord. She enjoys competing with her PWDs in all faucets. Her children, Elsie and Eli, also partake in dog activities and junior showmanship with several other breeds. Ally is active in the PWDCA as a committee member and the PWDCA Rescue Treasurer. When not doing “dog stuff” she can be found dreaming of dreaming of doing more “dog stuff”!Deborah Price
Director
Membership, Director, AGILITY Co-Chair
Entering the second year of a two-year term.
I have always had a love for animals. As a child, I would bring home any, and all stray animals till they could be reunited with their families. Our home was the first stop before shelters for folks to see if we had their beloved pet, it would drive my mother crazy. Fast forward, as an adult, I am married to James and have two children (twins). We still had many animals, (turtles, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, and cats) and we were ready for a dog. I’ve always had golden retrievers as our family pets, but I was ready to have a different breed. I did some research and met with a few breeders; we landed on Portuguese Water Dogs. We haven’t looked back since. We got our first PWD in 2010, she was the best, was gentle with the kids and just loved being with us, but of course needed fur friends. Second PWD came in 2012, then we unfortunately lost our first in 2020 and just broke our hearts, we were able to adopt our third in late 2020 at 10 months of age, a fourth in 2021and fifth in 2023. I started showing my dogs in 2021 and it has been a new challenge, however loving all the new places we have been to and the great people I have met because of this sport. We also do other sports with our dogs, agility, rally and dabble in nose work. These dogs are our best friends, and we love every minute we get to share with them.Elaine Rasmussen
Director
Nominating Committee, Director, Editorial Board
Entering the second year of a two-year term.
I met my 1st PWD, Guinness, while I was a marketing director at a tech startup. His “joie de vivre” & intelligence were irresistible. My husband Chris & I fell in love with the breed. After some research and talking to many local breeders, in 1992, a little brown and white female puppy stole our hearts. Her name was Cocoa. My initiation to the PWDCNC was at a water trial in 1993.Wet, happy PWDs (and humans) everywhere! There is nothing better than working with your PWD at what they were originally bred to do. Since, I’ve been club programs chair, water trial secretary, board director, vp, president, regional specialty chair, webmaster, and supporting character in a variety of roles for PWDCA website committee and National specialties including trophy,merchandise and scentwork chairs. We’ve had 8 amazing PWDs over the years. Our current “pack” is Fig, Mercedes and Briza. They are our family. We have bred PWDs since 2006, though we don’t breed often and only when the health, intelligence and temperament stars align. Throughout the years, we’ve competed with our PWDs in conformation, scentwork, obedience, agility, rally & of course water work. They are truly our “best friends”. It’s been a wild & happy trip with Cocoa, Maquah, Zada, Figaro, Mercedes, Elton and Briza, and we’re on it for the long haul.
openTREASURE CHEST (PWDCNC Store)
open HISTORIAN
PWDCNC Club Performance Chairs
Ann Gaskell
Vice President
Vice President, Regional Specialty, Communications, Programs, OBEDIENCE & RALLY Co-Chair
Deborah Price
Director
Membership, Director, AGILITY Co-Chair
Entering the second year of a two-year term.
I have always had a love for animals. As a child, I would bring home any, and all stray animals till they could be reunited with their families. Our home was the first stop before shelters for folks to see if we had their beloved pet, it would drive my mother crazy. Fast forward, as an adult, I am married to James and have two children (twins). We still had many animals, (turtles, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, and cats) and we were ready for a dog. I’ve always had golden retrievers as our family pets, but I was ready to have a different breed. I did some research and met with a few breeders; we landed on Portuguese Water Dogs. We haven’t looked back since. We got our first PWD in 2010, she was the best, was gentle with the kids and just loved being with us, but of course needed fur friends. Second PWD came in 2012, then we unfortunately lost our first in 2020 and just broke our hearts, we were able to adopt our third in late 2020 at 10 months of age, a fourth in 2021and fifth in 2023. I started showing my dogs in 2021 and it has been a new challenge, however loving all the new places we have been to and the great people I have met because of this sport. We also do other sports with our dogs, agility, rally and dabble in nose work. These dogs are our best friends, and we love every minute we get to share with them.Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary, WATER WORK, SCENT WORK, Editorial Board
I grew up with dogs but my first serious involvement began in college with an American Cocker Spaniel and obedience training. Looking for a healthier breed I purchased an English Cocker Spaniel bitch imported from England and spent the next 20 years breeding, showing in conformation, obedience and training tracking and field work. I was a member of the Davis Dog Training Club in the 70s and 80s, serving on the board, as an officer, and as an obedience trainer. I took a break from competition and breeding while raising my family. When I chose to return to actively working dogs I researched breeds carefully with an emphasis on health, genetic testing and awareness having had a couple of “well-bred” Standard Poodles with inheritable issues that were denied by their breeders. In 1996, after months of research, I purchased my first PWD from Lorraine Carver and joined the PWDCNC. We did a little conformation but he turned out to be simply interested in being a couch potato. My next dog I was introduced to water work and we competed there and in obedience. In 2004 I decided I was ready to consider returning to breeding and was privileged to purchase Ashbe Legado Somente Uma from Linda Kelly and Janis Watts. We achieved her championship, obedience, tracking, and water work titles. I kept 2 boys from her only litter. Both achieved GCH, rally, water, and Nosework titles. I currently share my home with 4 PWDs each of whom compete/train in a variety of areas, conformation, rally, obedience, tracking, Nosework, Trick Dog, Parkour, and Fetch Dog. I served as Recording Secretary for the PWDCNC for 15 years and continue to serve as Water Committee Chair and Scent Work Chair. Since my return to the board I’ve served as Vice President and currently as Recording Secretary. I’m the current chair of the PWDCA Legislative Issues Committee and a member of the PWDCA Awards committee and a contact member for the Multiple Achievement Certificate program.
Wavies & Curlies
Rebecca Morin
President
President, Health & Education, Regional Specialty, Conformation Chair, Editorial Board
I have been involved with animals my entire life. As a child we had a toy poodle then a Boxer but had to give him to friends when we moved to Taiwan in 1968. While in Taiwan we had a variety of dogs, birds, horses, snakes, lizard, guinea pigs and even a water buffalo. We rescued a fox Terrier/Spitz cross after a big typhoon and later bought a Lhasa Apso. As a child I took care of the school’s guard dogs and their puppies (German Shepherds) because I so enjoyed all interactions with animals. We returned to the US in the later part of 1970’s and brought our Lhasa and fox terrier cross with us. The family landed in Pennsylvania where I immediately found a neighbor who bred English Setters and helped him out on weekends. I bought my first dog at 19 while attending college. Chinook CD WTD was an Alaskan Malamute which got me involved in sled dog racing, weight pull and packing. In the early 80’s I started looking for a second breed and focused on Otterhounds and Portuguese Water Dogs. I met Bandido do Mar at our Malamute Specialty in the early 80’s (Doc and Dawn Woods owned Malamutes) and loved him. They offered him to me when they were getting out of water dogs however I was afraid to bring an adult PWD into a home with nine adult Malamutes, so I had to pass. I sought long and hard and with the help of Deyanne Miller I contacted Kathryn Braund (Roughrider) and Mickey (CH Roughrider Pescador De Toraq CD) came into my life in 1987. At the time I was a Commercial Whitewater guide living on the South Fork of the American river and Mickey soon became a hit with the customers at camp and on the river. A short year later Maddie (CH Roughriders Madeira De Toraq CD) joined the home and then Corrie (CH Xacara Do Mar CD) from Sonya Santos (Do Mar), was welcomed in 1990. Mickey and Maddie both ran on my team with Mickey running lead and Maddie point. I bred my first litter in 1990 and the rest is history. I have enjoyed conformation, tracking, water, agility, weight pull, back packing, rally, obedience, nose work, barn hunt, trick dog and dock diving with my dogs. Now that my children are all adults, I can travel to our National Specialties and give more time to the breed I love. I look forward to working with the Board and membership to highlight our lovely dogs and enjoy time with friends and fellow enthusiasts. I currently live with 6 PWD’s aged 1- 12 yrs, a Ridgeback, 2 kittens and 7 finches.Recording Secretary
Recording Secretary, WATER WORK, SCENT WORK, Editorial Board
I grew up with dogs but my first serious involvement began in college with an American Cocker Spaniel and obedience training. Looking for a healthier breed I purchased an English Cocker Spaniel bitch imported from England and spent the next 20 years breeding, showing in conformation, obedience and training tracking and field work. I was a member of the Davis Dog Training Club in the 70s and 80s, serving on the board, as an officer, and as an obedience trainer. I took a break from competition and breeding while raising my family. When I chose to return to actively working dogs I researched breeds carefully with an emphasis on health, genetic testing and awareness having had a couple of “well-bred” Standard Poodles with inheritable issues that were denied by their breeders. In 1996, after months of research, I purchased my first PWD from Lorraine Carver and joined the PWDCNC. We did a little conformation but he turned out to be simply interested in being a couch potato. My next dog I was introduced to water work and we competed there and in obedience. In 2004 I decided I was ready to consider returning to breeding and was privileged to purchase Ashbe Legado Somente Uma from Linda Kelly and Janis Watts. We achieved her championship, obedience, tracking, and water work titles. I kept 2 boys from her only litter. Both achieved GCH, rally, water, and Nosework titles. I currently share my home with 4 PWDs each of whom compete/train in a variety of areas, conformation, rally, obedience, tracking, Nosework, Trick Dog, Parkour, and Fetch Dog. I served as Recording Secretary for the PWDCNC for 15 years and continue to serve as Water Committee Chair and Scent Work Chair. Since my return to the board I’ve served as Vice President and currently as Recording Secretary. I’m the current chair of the PWDCA Legislative Issues Committee and a member of the PWDCA Awards committee and a contact member for the Multiple Achievement Certificate program.Elaine Rasmussen
Director
Nominating Committee, Director, Editorial Board
Entering the second year of a two-year term.
I met my 1st PWD, Guinness, while I was a marketing director at a tech startup. His “joie de vivre” & intelligence were irresistible. My husband Chris & I fell in love with the breed. After some research and talking to many local breeders, in 1992, a little brown and white female puppy stole our hearts. Her name was Cocoa. My initiation to the PWDCNC was at a water trial in 1993.Wet, happy PWDs (and humans) everywhere! There is nothing better than working with your PWD at what they were originally bred to do. Since, I’ve been club programs chair, water trial secretary, board director, vp, president, regional specialty chair, webmaster, and supporting character in a variety of roles for PWDCA website committee and National specialties including trophy,merchandise and scentwork chairs. We’ve had 8 amazing PWDs over the years. Our current “pack” is Fig, Mercedes and Briza. They are our family. We have bred PWDs since 2006, though we don’t breed often and only when the health, intelligence and temperament stars align. Throughout the years, we’ve competed with our PWDs in conformation, scentwork, obedience, agility, rally & of course water work. They are truly our “best friends”. It’s been a wild & happy trip with Cocoa, Maquah, Zada, Figaro, Mercedes, Elton and Briza, and we’re on it for the long haul.