http://www.ncanewfs.org/working/water/
I have always really liked Newfies. They are such sweet, big, lumbering dogs. However there are also many instances on record of Newfies saving lives in water disasters. To encourage these lifesaving instincts, in 1971, a group of enthusiasts developed plans for a water trial consisting of 12 exercises, six each in two divisions, junior and senior. Two years later, the Newfoundland Club of America sanctioned its first official rescue test in
Junior division exercises are fundamental. The first one, basic control, takes place on dry land. The dog’s willingness and ability to perform its owner’s bidding are tested with heeling, a recall, and a down stay. The five remaining exercises are performed in the water and consist of retrieving a bumper, retrieving a life jacket or cushion, delivering a rope to a swimming steward, towing a boat, and swimming calmly with a handler. Accomplishing all six tasks results in a Water Dog title, issued by the NCA.
More details on Junior division exercises:
* Basic Control
Following the judge's instructions, the handler commands the dog to walk with him without a leash. They will walk together making ring, left, and about turn and stops. the dog is to stay within arm's reach. The dog will than preform a recall, coming to the handler on command. Finally, all dogs, or a group of dogs, will be place in a "down" by their handlers. The handlers remain across the ring from their dogs for one minute, until instructed by the judge to return to their dogs. Note: Dogs with a CD title are excused from this exercise.
* Single Retrieve
The handler throws a boat bumper 30 feet out into the water. The dog has 60 seconds to swim out, retrieve it, and deliver it to his handler who waits on shore.
* Drop Retrieve
Two stewards in a boat row parallel to shore, 50 feet out. One steward silently drops a boat cushion or life jacket onto the water on the far side of the boat. The boat is then rowed away. The handler on shore draws his dog’s attention to the dropped article and sends him to retrieve it. The dog has 90 seconds to swim out, retrieve it, and deliver it to his handler.
* Take a Line
A steward treads water 50 feet from shore, splashing and calling the dog. The handler gives his dog the knotted end of a 75 foot line. The dog takes the line, swims out to the calling steward, and comes close enough that the steward can grasp the line or dog. The dog has 90 seconds to deliver the line to the steward.
* Tow a Boat
A boat is positioned 50 feet from shore with two stewards and an 8-foot line attached to a bumper. One steward splashes and calls the dog. The handler commands his dog to swim out to the boat, take the bumper from the steward, and tow the boat to shore until it touches bottom. The dog has 90 seconds to complete the exercise.
* Swim with Handler
Dog and handler enter the water together and swim out approximately 20 feet beyond swimming depth for the dog. The dog must not swim onto the handler or interfere with him in any way. At the judge’s signal, the handler commands his dog to swim toward shore. The dog turns and tows his free floating handler directly to shore. The dog has 90 seconds to complete the exercise.
In the senior division, the dog must retrieve two articles in the proper order, leap from a boat to fetch a paddle, discriminate between three swimmers and then carry a life ring to the one in distress, retrieve underwater, carry a line from shore to a steward in a boat and then tow that boat to shore, and leap from a boat to save its handler, who has “fallen” overboard. A dog that passes these six exercises adds the title of Water Rescue Dog to its name.
More details on the senior division exercises:
* Directed Retrieve
Two stewards in a boat row across the test area about 50 feet from shore. As they row, one attracts the dog’s attention by splashing, and drops two articles (a life jacket and a boat cushion) about 50 feet apart. The judge instructs the handler to send his dog to a specific article. The handler sends his dog to that article. The dog retrieves it and brings it to his handler on shore. The dog is sent to retrieve the second article. The dog has 3 minutes to complete both retrieves.
* Retrieve Off a Boat
The dog and handler ride out on a boat about 50 feet from shore. The handler throws a paddle or oar 10 feet from the boat. The dog has 90 seconds to jump from the boat, make the retrieve, bring the oar back to the handler or steward and relinquish it.
* Life Ring
Three stewards enter the water and swim about 75 feet out and 30 feet apart. One feigns distress, splashing and calling; the other two remain silent and still. The handler gives his dog the knotted end of a line attached to a life ring. The dog must take the line voluntarily. He must then swim directly to the person in distress, coming close enough that the steward can grab the life ring or the dog. The dog then tows the steward to shore. The exercise must be completed within 2 minutes.
* Underwater Retrieve
Handler and dog enter the water together walking to a point where the water is elbow depth for the dog. The handler throws an article of his choice 3 feet away from the dog parallel to shore. The article must sink immediately. The dog has 3 minutes to retrieve the article and return it to his handler. He may do so by submerging his head or pawing it to shallower water and retrieving it. The handler may throw the article at elbow depth as often as needed within the 3 minute limit.
* Take a Line/Tow a Boat
Two stewards wait in a boat at least 75 feet from shore. One calls the dog. The handler gives his dog a short line with a bumper attached. The dog may take either end of the line voluntarily. He then swims out to the boat, coming close enough for the steward to grab the line. The dog must then pull the boat to shore until it touches bottom. He has 2 minutes to complete the exercise.
* Rescue
Dog and handler ride in a boat to at least 50 feet from shore. At the signal from the judge, the handler falls or jumps from the boat. The dog must remain in the boat until called. He has 30 seconds to voluntarily enter the water without landing on the handler. He must swim directly to his handler and tow him back to the boat or to shore. 90 seconds is allowed to complete the entire exercise.
Created over the past 3 years by the Working Dog Committee of the NCA, the newest division is Water Rescue Dog Excellent, or WRDX. This test is for the elite working dog, who shows a drive and stamina and instinctive working ability beyond most
More detailed summary of Water Rescue Dog Excellent exercises:
* Search for Abandoned Boat
A steward will row out 75ft. from shore and will drop an anchor from inside the boat. The steward will gently place a floating eight-foot line with plastic or canvas boat bumper attached into the water on the seaward side of the boat. The handler will send the dog to search for the line. The dog will tow the boat to shore by either the boat bumper or the line attached to it, and will beach the boat.
* Multiple Person Rescue
The dog will board the boat and will travel with the handler while the boat is rowed out and anchored into position 150 feet from shore. While the boat is being rowed out into position the stewards will swim out to their designated locations. The victims will all begin to indicate that rescue is needed by splashing and calling for help. The handler will send the dog from the boat and to rescue the victims. The dog will swim to each victim. It is up to the dog to determine the order in which each victim is rescued. The dog shall swim close enough so that each victim is able to take hold of the dog Once the dog has made an actual pick up of a victim, they are returned to the handler at the boat, after each delivery the dog will be sent for the next victim. The dog will tow each victim back to the boat, where the handler waits on the platform.
* Rescue of an Unconscious Victim
The steward will swim away from shore into position at the 75ft. mark. The handler will command the dog to go to the steward’s rescue. Upon reaching the victim, the dog MUST take either of the protected arms or hands, or the life jacket of the victim into its mouth, using a gentle hold, and will tow the victim to almost wading depth for the dog. The handler will enter the water to assist the victim and the dog as the dog is returning with the victim in tow. When the handler has a hand on the victim, the judge will signal completion of the exercise.
* Rescue of Victim with Capsized Boat
At a signal from the judge, the steward in the inflatable raft will yell as he/she capsizes the raft, attracting the attention of the dog. The handler will command the dog to rescue the victim. Upon reaching the raft, the dog will swim in under the raft, whereupon the victim will immediately take hold of the dog. The dog will then exit from under the raft in any direction. The dog will tow the victim to just prior to wading depth for the dog, at which time, the handler will touch hands with the victim.
* Delivery of Line from Stranded Boat
The handler will direct the dog to take the line and then to jump from the boat. The dog will be directed by the handler to deliver the line to the designated steward waiting on the shoreline. However, the handler will retain the end of the line on the boat. The steward will encourage the dog to come to him/her once the dog is in the water and beginning to swim towards shore. The handler will feed the remaining line out to the dog swimming towards shore. The dog will deliver the line to the steward waiting on shore. The exercise will be complete when the dog delivers the line to the steward.
* Rescue of Multiple Victims
Two stewards will be rowed out 75ft. from shore. The two stewards will quietly exit the boat, one at a time from the platform. They will then move to the seaward side of the boat, where they will hold onto the lip of the boat. The stewards will call for help in a manner realistic with being stranded and as if their boat had overturned. The dog will enter the water and will swim directly to the boat. The dog is to swim close enough to one of the victims for that victim to reach out and to take hold of the dog while still having hold of the side of the boat. The dog may bring in one or both victims at the same time. returning towards shore with a victim (s) in tow. When the handler has taken hold of the hands of the second victim the exercise is finished.
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