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10:00 AM - 1:00PM Sun. July 29, 2007 Newfs were developed for heavy hauling and ship work. Eventually, they became famous for their water rescue abilities. Their thick hair coat is almost waterproof and protects them from frigid waters. Newfs love to swim and are natural retrievers. Our demonstrations will feature dogs pulling manned boats in to shore. |
 | Canine literature give us stories of brave Newfoundlands which have rescued men and women from watery graves; stories of shipwrecks made less terrible by dogs which carried life lines to stricken vessels; of children who have fallen into deep water and have been brought safely ashore by Newfoundlands; and of dogs whose work was less spectacular but equally valuable as they helped their fishermen owners with their heavy nets and performed other tasks necessary to their occupations.
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West Side Boat Launch Panoramas - click to enlarge
Water Rescue Exercises
Control Exercises - the dog heels off lead at his handlers left side, doing right, left and about turns, at fast, slow and normal paces. The dog then remains seated while the handler crosses the ring, and must come when called. Together with all the other dogs, the dog must remain down for one minute with the handler across the ring.
Directed Retrieve - a boat cushion and a life jacket are placed about 50 feet apart - approximately 50 feet out from shore. The judge will instruct in what order the articles will be retrieved. The dog, on the handler's instructions, will retrieve and deliver the articles to hand in the specified order.
Simple Retrieve - handler throws an object at least 30 ft out into the water. The dog swims to it, takes it and returns it to handler.
Marked Retrieve - a steward will drop an article from the seaward side of the boat about 50 ft from shore. Following the handler's directions, the dog will swim out to the article, retrieve it and return it to the handler.
Tow Boat - a steward in an adrift boat attracts the teams attention by calling and tossing a bumper with a tow line into the water. Upon the handlers direction, the dog swims out and tows the boat to shore - delivering the bumper to the handler. The boat is 75 ft out from shore.
Take a Line - a steward floats in the water 50 ft from shore. He feigns distress, calling for help from the dog. Dog must take a line in his mouth and carry the line to the calling steward - steward will grasp the line and be towed to shore.
Swim with Handler - dog and handler will wade out to swimming depth water - then swim an additional 20 ft - then the dogs tows the handler to shore.
Carry Line/Tow Boat - a steward in a boat 75 ft from shore calls to the dog. From shore, the dog takes the line from his handler and swims to the steward in the boat. Steward takes hold of the line and the dog tows the boat to shore.
Dive from Height to Rescue Stranger - dog and handler are in a boat. When the 'victim' is within 25-30 ft of the boat, victim will show distress. Dog will dive from boat and swim to victim, allowing them to grasp hold and be towed to either the boat or to shore.
Differentiated Rescue - 75 ft from shore, 3 stewards will be about 30 feet apart. When 1 steward indicates distress, the dog takes a life ring to the needy victim and tows him to shore.
Submerged Retrieve - the dog and handler enter the water - handler tosses a small sinking object 3 feet from the dog - in belly deep water. The dog retrieves it by using his mouth or pawing it to shore - delivers the object to the handler.