Author: Andy Watson

Newfoundlands a History

The Newfoundland Dog is well renowned for its working ability, the original "ships dog" it has been used for taking ropes ashore in North Atlantic seas, retrieving lost fishing gear and rescuing humans. It has also been used as a pack animal, sled dog, and carting dog. Its immense strength and thick double layered coat make it ideally suited for the work it does, yet its gentle nature and mild guarding instinct have endeared it to people throughout history. From 'Nana' in Peter Pan to the poet Byron’s “Boatswain”, the Newfoundland Dog has been loved and adored the world over.
The history of the Newfoundland Dog is buried in the mists of time. The breed as we know it today originated from dogs brought from the island of Newfoundland to England in the early 1800's.
There are many theories as to the origin of the breed the three most popular are;
They developed from the black 'bear' dogs transported to Newfoundland and the Americas by Vikings around 1000 A.D. - Skeletons of large dogs have been found at Viking settlements on Newfoundland
They evolved from the American Black Wolf or from other native dogs.
They developed from the inter-breeding of European dogs brought to Newfoundland in the 15th and 16th century by explorer's.
In 1780, in order to promote sheep raising, the Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland, limited the legal ownership of Newfoundland Dogs to one per household. This decree failed to help sheep raising but did drive the native Newfoundland dog to the edge of extinction. During this time many dogs were exported or destroyed and it was only due to a few Newfoundlander's breaking the law for their love of the breed, that the breed survived on the island. The first recorded official showing of the Newfoundland was at Birmingham, England in 1860, (The show continues to this day and is considered the world's oldest surviving dog show.). Six Newfoundlands were entered.

Newfoundlands love to make new friends so you are welcome to meet the dogs - but please ask the owners permission first.
Beware - they may be wet and slobbery!

For More information about Newfoundland dogs, visit:
www.northernnewfoundlandclub.org.uk

Newfie Facts & Fun
Newfoundland Dogs have webbed paws!
They swim breast stroke not doggy paddle!
A Newfoundland called Sirius helped save lives on the Titanic!
In 1824, as many as 2,000 Newfoundland dogs were working for their owners in the city of St. John's, Newfoundland .
The White & Black Newfoundland is called a Landseer in honour of the artist Sir Edwin Landseer who painted them.
In 1919 a gold medal was awarded to a Newfoundland that pulled to safety a lifeboat containing twenty shipwrecked people.

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Newfoundland
Water Trials
23/24/25th August 2008

Welcome to the Northern Newfoundland Club Water Trials. These trials are managed by *********** Newfoundland working group, with the support of members from other groups.
We hope you enjoy watching the trials, this leaflet explains a little about the dogs and the exercises they are undertaking.

© Northern Newfoundland Club & Andy Watson

Introduction to the Water Tests

The Newfoundland has a well deserved reputation, established over many years, as a saviour of people from the sea. Without wanting to put anyone in danger, the present day owner increasingly wants to see whether the dog is equally capable in the water. These exercises, which will test the dog at 5 levels, have been devised in order to provide a safe and consistent method of proving the dog's capabilities in a non-competitive environment.
The tests, which are extensions to training and not an end in themselves, are based on the building block principle. Skills learnt by owner and dog for the lower levels are repeated and refined or modified in higher level tests.
It is necessary to master the lower levels first in order to proceed to the higher levels. If a problem arises with a certain exercise or part of it then there will be a firm foundation to fall back on; if training is carried out inconsistently then a problem cannot be dealt with systematically. Thus dogs must pass each lower level before being permitted to attempt the next higher level, i.e. passing A & B before entering for C. The exercises test the owner and dog partnership, not just the capabilities of the dog.
There are two Judges and it is their desire for all the dogs to pass. Entrants may ask them questions during the test if they are unsure whether they are permitted to do something or not. Judges may volunteer some advice to help entrants and their dogs during the first three test levels (A, B & C). The Judges will be using a scoring system for marking each performance. These marks are purely for their use and will not be divulged to entrants. The published results will only show if the required standard was reached. The dog and owner must reach the required standard in each exercise otherwise they will fail the test as a whole. A dog can fail through losing too many points, performing a failure action or running out of time. At the conclusion of each test the Judges will inform entrants whether they and their dog have passed or failed and probably make some verbal comments. There will also be written comments, together with a certificate of competence for a pass.
These tests are non-competitive. . Dogs must be at least 6 months old on the day of the test to enter for Section A, 9 months for Section B, 18 months for Section C and 24 months for Sections D & E. These ages have been set in the best interests of the dog, bearing in mind its physical and mental capabilities. Owners are encouraged to start training their dog when it is capable of performing all elements without undue strain.
Level A
Exercise 1 - Swim out 15 metres to boat
Exercise 2 - Swim out 15 metres to handler or stranger
Exercise 3 - Retrieve familiar object from 6metres
Level B
Exercise 1 - Tow boat back 20 metres
Exercise 2 - Tow handler or stranger from 20 metres
Exercise 3 - Retrieve provided object from 6 metres
Exercise 4 - Retrieve object from 20 centimetres under water
Exercise 5 - Controlled swim with handler
Level C
Exercise 1 - Jump from boat and tow to shore
Exercise 2 - Tow stranger from 25 metres
Exercise 3 - Retrieve object from 15 metres
Exercise 4 - Controlled swim
Level D
Exercise 1 - Take coil of rope out to a boat and tow it back to shore
Exercise 2 - Tow stranger to a boat
Exercise 3 - Directed retrieve of one of two objects
Exercise 4 - Search for hidden stranger and tow to shore
Level E
Exercise 1 - Take out life buoy/jacket to stranger
Exercise 2 - Search for hidden rope and tow boat to shore
Exercise 3 - Directed tow of one of two persons.
Exercise 4 - Jump and take a rope to a stranger in another boat

The Levels

Watermead Programme

Saturday 24th August 2008
10.00a.m. - Level E followed by Level D
Sunday 25th August 2008
10.00a.m. - Level A followed by Level C
Monday 26th August 2008
10.00a.m. - Level B