Big Luv Newfoundlands

6585 Town Hill Road
Conewango Valley, NY 14726
ph: 716 296-8942
kate@newfiedog.com

Smokey, the Rock Star Water Dog!

Smokey is one of our pups. While we take great pride in all of our pups, this dog has distinguished himself (with a little help from his family!) in water dog trials. Read about what newfs can do - then check out Smokey's progress. He is nothing short of amazing!

Check this out....

Newfoundland - Water Rescue Dog

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.

Meet Smokey! Smokey's family sends a special "thank you" to his coach, Sue Marino! Without her guidance, Smokey would not be where he is today with his awards!
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Received from Smokey's family

Hi Kate,
Smokey (Right now) only has WD title. We are entered in the DD (dock dog) tests October 28th and 29th and he is currently enrolled in Obedience and Rally (but he is new to it) his teacher is an AKC judge and says he has those 2 titles, hands down.
Unfortunately I was a late start with him. We started training with him Last July in water, when he was still one and now at just two, he is a show stopper and LOVES to work. People in New England and CT, NY and PA all know who Smokey is (and of course you as well). The GIANT Gray Newf with the heart of GOLD. He is not only the biggest guy, but being Gray just makes him stand out that much more. When people meet him and he loves and gives them kisses, they all want him.
When we first got him, I did not understand how to enter him in different tests for his Certifications, but now I do and he loves it and we go whenever we can; he is a BIG HAM and show off. We even bought him a used RV to travel in; it is called "The Smoke House", and is adorned with pictures of Smokey on 3 sides. The passenger side has him in front of a dog house, titled "Our Tiny Smoke House", the back has a puppy picture of Smokey with "Water Rescue Dog on Board" and then the Drivers side has Smokey pulling his brother in a Cart that says: "Have Newfs, will travel". I can not tell you how this big guy has changed our lives FOREVER, we can definitely say we have "drool in our veins" and there is no stopping us now.
We plan on getting his Good Citizens this year and doing Therapy with him as well. Smokey will be 3 on October 21st.

We met the owners of "Sawyer" in Seneca Falls NY a few weeks back. They have the Gray and White Landseer that is Smokey's brothers "Moose's", Son, I was hoping to meet him... but they had just taken on a rescue and had the rescue with them. Next year I will meet him. They were so impressed with Smokey and are hoping that Sawyer will have some of Smokey's looks and personality.

Newfoundly yours,
Beth, Keith and Smokey Dog!

Smokey and Beth have nowalso won 2 awards given for "Best Working Dog Team" during the Water Trials. After the Genesee Water Trials in NY one team was selected to receive an award for Best Working Dog Team The winners do not have to title to be selected for this award. It is solely based on the two judges and who they feel worked the best as a "Team". Smokey and Beth won in 2010 and again in 2011 out of all the dogs that competed in the water trials at Genesee.

More news....

Hi Kate,
Sorry we just got back today from New Pen Del water trials, so I did not receive your email until today.
Unfortunately we did not pass WRD this year, we keep missing the Take a Line boat rescue. My boy hates to leave me on shore. I know we will get it
first try next year, since he is perfect at everything except taking the line out to the boat. When I enter the water he brings the line out and UP to the steward and pulls the boat to shore, but unfortunately, when I enter the water it is a fail..... Go figure. Next year we will be working on that one
exercise and WRDX, but will not be entering Smokey for WRDX until the following year when he turns 4.

We are all in shock that he did not pass, but as you know it is a lot of work to earn those titles. Last year, he learned all WD and WRD (except the jumping off the boat). When we started again this year; at the end of June, we taught him to "JUMP" and Smokey did not want to do any WD stuff anymore. So we stopped doing much WRD with him. Of course he passed WD day 1 at the NCNE trials, but between traveling with him and the tests, we did not have any time to work on what he struggled with. As I said before he is our FIRST Newfie so we learn everyday. Next year, he will only be entered in 2 tests and then the following year he will be entered in 1 for WRDX which I have NO DOUBT he will pass. I am just a bit biased, but that boy is SUPER SMART and LOVES TO WORK and lives for swimming!
Keith and I are thrilled that you want to have a page for Smokey... it is great that you see what a special boy is, since we knew it from the first time he nuzzled his cheek to mine at your kennel. His eyes are to dye for. I remember you saying that his eyes would not stay blue... that was a shame, but they are as beautiful today as that day. They are deep gold and show his heart and soul! Thank you for breeding such a special boy as you did! I only wish that you and I had talked again before my neutering him. I think he would have given you some beautiful pups. I am sure that Hudson and Moose are just as special though! My vet really did beg me to call you before we had him fixed. My vet says that he takes care of many show Newfs and has "NEVER seen a more beautifully put together Newf" as my Smokey. I know he will buy a pup off of you eventually... every time he sees Smokey he asks for your name and kennel again! LOL
Newfoundly yours,
Beth