The Newfoundland has a reputation as a saviour of people from the water. There are several stories how the Newfoundland dog has saved from the water not just people, but boats and fishing nets too. In the hundred years the life has changed a lot and today's water rescue (water test) has become a well-known hobby. Water rescue has devotees in several countries in Europe and in the United States.

In the Europe France and Italy shows the way in using water rescue dogs in the real situations. Finnish training model for water rescue direct strict for hobby and competition, even tough more and more people are interested in train working dogs.

Water tests in the Finland

Rules vary between countries and the current rules in the Finland incepted 1.1.2002.

In the principle all breeds has the right participate the competitions. The Newfoundland and Landseer has right take part on the first class, other breeds has to go through applicability test. Every dog has two possibilities pass the applicability test. Also the junior class (dogs 6 - 12 moths, unofficial class) has intended for the Newfoundland and the Landseer only.

Sections:
Junior class (dogs 6 - 12 moths, unofficial class)
1. Controlled swimming from boat to shore 50 meters
2.. Tow boat back 20 metres

Beginners class
1. Controlled swimming from boat to shore 50 meters
2. Delivering object 30 meters
3. Tow a boat back 30 meters
4. Rescue drowning 30 meters

Open class (for those dogs who has two first class prices from the beginners class)
1. Controlled swim and towing a boat to the shore from 50 meters
2. Delivering object 30 meters
3. Jump to the water and towing a boat to the shore from 50 meters
4. Rescue drowning from the boat 50 meters

Winner's class (for those dogs who has three first class prises from the open class)

Delivering a rope to the boat 30 meters

Jump from the boat in 30 meters and pick up an other boat from 50 meters

Rescue drowning from the boat 50 meters

Delivering an object from other boat to the other boat following the beach line 20 meters

Title 'The water rescue champion of Finland' demands three first class prices from the winner's class and at least second price from the dog show.

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