Number Eleven: Appomattox Water Dog
One of the progenitors of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a male dog that was possibly of the Newfoundland breed by the name of "Sailor", made his way around the Chesapeake Bay area around the year of 1807. Supposedly, he was used for breeding purposes and, by chance, one of the pups ended up in the hands of Peter (Pedro) Francisco, a Portuguese born veteran of the Revolutionary War also known as the "Virginia Hercules." Despite Francisco not having a very good memory of his childhood in the Azores, he did remember his family having what is believed to be a Portuguese Water Dog and eventually ended up acquiring one from a local fisherman at City Point, Virginia. Eventually, the pup and the previously acquired Portuguese Water Dog would be used for breeding. The result would be the beginning of the breed. The breed would be used by local fisherman but gained more exposure to the rest of the world during the Union occupation of the area near City Point in 1864-1865.
The Appomattox Water Dog have either a brown, black, or black and white double coat. They are also hypoallergenic and, surprising enough, have webbed toes which makes it easier for them to swim. Males are approximately 60-75 lbs., 23-26 inches in height while the females are approximately 50-65 lbs., 20-23 inches in height. As previously stated they are excellent swimmers and are an ideal choice for a companion in water fowl hunting. The breed is known to be playful, obedient, and, on occasion, stubborn.