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Newfoundland - Water Rescue Dog
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The Newfoundland is exceptionally well built for water work.
He has a water resistant double coat, a strong muscled
tail which is used as a rudder, webbed feet, ears that
cling close to the head, and a strong swimming style
resembling a breast stroke.
Newfoundlands are used to help patrol the beaches in
Britain, France, and Italy. During their annual water
training demonstration at the Molveno Dog Show, the
Italian School of Dog Training showcases circumstances
in which Newfs and their handlers jump out of
helicopters hovering 15 feet above the water's surface.
The French Coast Guard has determined that a
well-conditioned Newf can tow an inflatable life raft
with 20 people aboard two miles to shore with out being
unduly stressed.
The water rescue instincts of the Newf are particularly
evident when children or other family members are in the
water. The Newf takes his life guarding responsibilities
very seriously, quite often circling around and herding
his "family" to shore. They have an uncanny ability to
sense when someone in the water needs help, whether a
family member or stranger, an will immediately swim out
to assist. Some dogs circle around the "victim" until
they feel the person grab onto them, then head to shore;
others will take the person's arm in their mouth and
proceed to tow them to safety that way.
The Newfoundland is primarily a dog of the sea. Long ago
they were the constant companions of fishermen, and
boats would often not leave the shore without a
Newfoundland on board. History is full of old tales
recording heroic rescues made by these courageous
animals. Today, the breed standard stresses that the dog
should be "at home in the water and on land." The Newf
is exceptionally well built for water work. He has a
water resistant double coat, a muscled tail which is
used as a rudder, webbed feet, ears that cling close to
the head, and a strong swimming style resembling a
breast stroke.
Water Tests
Great Britain first sponsored formal water tests for
Newfoundlands in the late 1800's. The Newfoundland Club
of American began its water tests in 1973, with the
first test in this country being held by the Great Lakes
Newfoundland Club in Michigan.
The Water Test offers the Newfoundland an opportunity to
perform a series of exercises designed to show their
natural life-saving instincts. The test is composed of
Junior, Senior and Exellent Divisions. Each contains six exercises
with suggested time limits. A dog successfully
completing the Junior exercises is awarded the NCA title
of Water Dog (WD). Successful completion of the Senior
exercises earns a Water Rescue Dog (WRD) title. And the most advanced is the Water Rescue Dog Excellant (WRDX) title.
Please click on this link for further information on the exercises done for each division
The Newfoundland Club of America encourages its members
to foster and maintain the working dog abilities that
are such an important part of the history of the breed.
To this end, the NCA sponsors Water Tests across the
country. The Newfoundland Club of America Water Tests
are a series of exercises designed to develop and
demonstrate the water work abilities of purebred
Newfoundland dogs. The Newfoundland has historically
functioned as a working companion to its owner, and
members of the breed have participated in many heroic
rescues. Performance of these exercises is intended as a
demonstration of skill developed through both natural
ability and training. The emphasis in the Water Test is
on teamwork between dog and handler in realistic work
and rescue situations.
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Water Demo at
Codorus Summer Blast
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Buoy rescues an "unconscious" Christie Smith. |
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CNC 2004 Water Test
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Click here for results and pictures from the 2004 CNC water tests.
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Water Rescue Titles
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The Newfoundland Club of America awards the following titles
for water competition:
WD=Water Dog
WRD=Water Rescue Dog
WRDX=Water Rescue Dog Excellent
WD - Junior Division Exercises
Basic Control
Single Retrieve
Drop Retrieve
Take A Line
Tow A Boat
Swim With Handler
WRD - Senior Division Exercises
Directed Retrieve
Retrieve Off A Boat
Take A Life Ring
Underwater Retrieve
Take A Line/Tow A Boat
Rescue Handler off Boat
WRDX - Excellent Division Exercises
Search for Abandoned Boat
Multiple Person Rescue
Rescue of Unconscious Victim
Rescue of Victim/Capsized Boat
Delivery of Line from Stranded Boat
Rescue of Multiple Victims
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More Information
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Colonial Newfoundland Club
Working Dog Chair:
Dwight Gorsuch
Newfoundland Club
of America
Working Dog Publications:
Water Test Training Manual ($12.00)
Water Test Rules & Regulations ($5.00)
Working Dog Publications Secretary:
Dwight Gorsuch
925 Leppo Road
Westminster, MD
21158-1625
Orders must be prepaid, checks payable to
Newfoundland Club of America. |
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