Dogs born for water, raised by the river.
Labrador retrievers and Portuguese water dogs, introduced to water from their very first weeks. By eight weeks old, your puppy already knows the sound of the wharf and the feel of the river.
Working dogs, raised as family.
The Labrador was shaped in Newfoundland to haul fishermen's nets out of icy water. The Portuguese water dog worked alongside the fishing fleets of the Algarve, herding fish into nets and carrying messages between boats and the shore. Both of our breeds share the same origin: dogs that worked in the water, alongside sailors.
We keep that heritage alive without turning them into working dogs. Every litter is introduced to water from four weeks old, in a sheltered kiddie pool, then taken to the family wharf as soon as their vaccines allow. The rest of the time, they are real house dogs, used to children, the vacuum cleaner and everyday life.
Isabelle Thériault and Marc Dumas
Breeders, Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
Three commitments, for every puppy.
They apply to every litter, without exception and at no extra cost.
Health-tested before breeding
Hips, elbows, eyes, heart and breed-specific genetic panels: our breeding dogs are tested before any mating. Results are handed to you, not summarized.
Water socialization from four weeks
A kiddie pool in the yard, then supervised first visits to the family wharf. A puppy that has already wet its paws before it leaves doesn't have to learn to fear water later.
Lifelong support
We stay reachable after your puppy goes home — first nights, house-training, first swims. And if you can no longer keep your dog, it comes back to us. Always.
Labrador retriever and Portuguese water dog.
Two breeds, one shared calling: swimming. The Labrador excels in cold water and retrieving; the Portuguese water dog, with its waterproof coat and webbed feet, is just as formidable a swimmer, known for its intelligence and non-shedding coat.
We don't diversify beyond these two breeds. Knowing the mother and father of every litter well is worth more than raising eight breeds without truly knowing any of them.
From your first message to their first river swim.
You write to us
Tell us about your household: children, other pets, access to water, experience with active dogs. We reply within one to two days, honestly — sometimes to tell you a water dog isn't the right fit for your lifestyle.
We meet by the water
Kennel visits by appointment, in Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer. You meet the parents and see where the puppies grow up, from the living room to the family wharf.
Reservation and matching
A $500 deposit confirms your place on the litter. Puppy-to-family matching happens around week six, based on observed temperament — not the color chosen from a photo.
Going home at eight weeks
Your puppy leaves vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, examined by our veterinarian — and already used to the feel of water under its paws.
A litter is expected this summer.
Our puppies almost always find a family before they're even born. If you're considering a swimming companion this year, now is the time to write to us — even if you're not certain yet.