Melanie Wood | Caramel Kennel Spanish Water Dogs

Interview with Melanie Wood, Breeder of Caramel Kennel Spanish Water Dogs

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What are the hallmarks of your breed and why are they important for maintaining breed type?
3. In your opinion, are there enough puppy homes to support breeding a litter this year?
4. How have you implemented new technologies in science and communications as a breeder?
5. In your community, have you noticed a change in the public’s perception of purebred dogs?
6. Have you noticed any trends in the sport? Anything to be concerned about?

Melanie Wood

1. I live in Satellite Beach, Florida. I purchased my first Spanish Water Dog (SWD) in 2016 from Linda Kardonis of Lija’s Spanish Water Dogs at 10 weeks to have him trained as a certified Service Dog by Paws for Veterans. Champion Lija’s Shogun Sir Gunner Of The Island is a fully certified Service Dog for PTSD/Anxiety and an AKC Conformation Champion, AKC Senior Dock Diving, Trick Dog Novice, Farm Dog Certified, and CGC. I worked diligently and trained him to reach these accomplishments.

In 2018, I flew to Croatia to pick up a puppy and spent several weeks at the Zorrazo Spanish Water Dogs kennel. There I did training and showing for the kennel, traveling to show in Budapest, Hungary, Slovenia, and Zagreb. Once back in the US, I showed Zorrazo Peanut Butter to her Grand Champion Silver achievement. Peanut Butter is the foundation bitch of my kennel, with two litters on the ground. My first litter was in 2021, the second in 2023, and another is due on August 10, 2025. Also, in my nine years of showing, I have championed 11 Spanish Water Dogs.

I currently own and bred the AKC No. 5 SWD in Breed standings, Champion Caramels Bonafide Bedazzled Island Girl (Bada Bing), and the No. 2 Champion Explosive Expresso My Little Cup Of Kaos (Khavi). Both girls have Group placements in various AKC shows and both are handled by me in NOHS (National Owner-Handled Series). Khavi is No. 2 and Bada is No. 6. My kennel name is Caramel Kennel.

2. The hallmarks of my breedings are character and maintaining the Breed Standard set by AKC. Each breeding should be as good as, if not better than, the sire and dam.

3. I feel there are always people who want a Spanish Water Dog, as there are so few breeders in the US.

4. By responsibly implementing technologies like genetic health testing and screening, advanced reproduction techniques, and data-driven pedigree programs, Spanish Water Dog breeders can work toward breeding healthier puppies and preserving the long-term health and validity of the breed.

5. I have seen a vast change in the perception of the purebred dog, as people are purchasing many different “doodles” with less health testing.

6. In the sport of Conformation, I see that many times a dog is picked by the handler and not by the dog’s structure and movement, as it should be. I have also noticed how the entries in shows have dwindled.

“By responsibly implementing technologies like genetic health testing and screening, advanced reproduction techniques, and data-driven pedigree programs, Spanish Water Dog breeders can work toward breeding healthier puppies and preserving the long-term health and validity of the breed.”