About the Club

Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club Inc. is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Portuguese Water Dogs. The club accomplishes this by providing social, training, and educational opportunities for the people who love the breed.

Geographical areas served: 
CT, MA, NJ, NY, and RI. 

HISTORY OF THE CLUB

The club was initially founded in 1981 as Fairfield County Portuguese Water Dog Club (FCPWDC), with approximately 20 members. It was established by Deyanne and Herbert Miller, of New Canaan, CT, who are credited with the introduction of the breed to the United States. 

  • It was the first PWD club established in the U.S.
  • It was the first PWD Regional Club sanctioned by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
  • Club members created the first PWD water trials, and ran the first PWDCA Water Test in Connecticut.

FCPWDC activities included an obedience training class for PWDs, grooming clinics, water picnics, and the chance to meet fellow PWD lovers.

Due to AKC club naming requirements the club name was changed from FCPWDC to NUTMEG Portuguese Water Dog Club (Nutmeg) in the 1990’s to better describe the geographic area the club served. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Membership now counts approximately 125 individuals and families, and continues to be a very active club. As an AKC Sanctioned Regional Club we are able to run Regional Specialties, Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, Scent Trials, FastCat and FETCH trials for our members and others to earn AKC titles.

Current and past club activities include:

  • PWD breed specialties held at All-Breed dog shows in Norwalk CT,
  • PWDCA Water trials, water work seminars, and shared instruction for water play/practice days
  • Scent work trials and seminars
  • Obedience trials
  • FastCAT trials
  • Agility trials
  • Grooming seminars
  • Luncheon (with our Annual Meeting)

As part of our commitment to the welfare of the breed, Nutmeg also offers an All-Breed Health Clinic each spring that includes (but isn't limited to) screening for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye issues, heart conditions, and hearing issues.

Every year since 1998 Nutmeg has published a high quality PWD calendar. The annual calendar photo contest typically draws 600 to 800 photos of PWDs from all over the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and South America. These photos are narrowed down to just 30 finalists. In stiff competition, the calendar has won best in its category from the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) *five* times – in 2003, 2004, 2012, 2019, and 2021.  Proceeds from our calendar sales go to the PWD Foundation for canine health research. Over the years we have donated over $53,000. It has become a true honor for photos to be selected as finalists in the Nutmeg calendar. What began as a calendar sold to just Nutmeg members has grown into a publication with sales around the world.

Nutmeg PWD Club is a dues-paying member of the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners so that we can be aware of all regulatory and legislative activities that might affect the ownership and enjoyment of dogs in CT.

Consider joining Nutmeg PWD Club and open yourself up to a resource for all things PWD. And also to the chance to make life-long friendships with people who love PWDs just like you.

MEETING INFORMATION - when and how:

An Annual Meeting is held once a year, usually in March. It is typically combined with a Potluck Luncheon, mini-education segments, presentation of awards, and other fun activities. People waiting for membership approval (as required by the AKC) will also be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

Nutmeg Board Meetings are currently held the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm via Zoom. Members in good standing are welcome to listen in, bring a topic to the Board's attention, or who have a question for the Board should notify the Secretary of their requests 5 days in advance via email. Member listeners should be muted and may not speak unless called on. Please contact our current Secretary, Hannah Barber hbarber823@gmail.com  If an Executive Sessions is called for during a meeting, member listeners will be placed in the waiting room until the Executive Session is completed.

Click Here To read our club bylaws