BACK TO NATURE
Newfoundlands
Find Water
Peter Berry
Dartmouth at any time of the year is
These, and many
a beautiful part of the country.
more, form part of a
Situated on the Devon coast it has group called the
a rich maritime history. The River
Newfound Friends.
Dart flows into the sea and at its
mouth stands the castle, once a
Newfound Friends was
formed some 18 years
fortress and an armed lookout for
ago in 1990, with the
any invading crafts.
objective of using the
skills of the dogs to raise
Now, Dartmouth is home to an ever awareness and money
changing myriad of sea bound vessels in for children's charities. To
all shapes and sizes. Traditionally, in the date they have raised well
last week in August, Dartmouth holds its over half a million pounds
Regatta and a huge mass of people and the Newfoundland
descend on the small town to watch all the demonstration team have
events and displays, on land, water and in become a firm favourite at many maritime
One of the few native North American dog
the air. festivals throughout the UK. The dogs also
breeds, they come from Newfoundland
carry out therapeutic work with seriously ill Island in Canada. Their giant size ( weight
On the last Saturday, I found myself jostling children who attend hospices and home
100 – 150 lbs and 25 – 29 inches in height),
for position amongst a huge throng of from home cancer care establishments.
results from the introduction of large mastiffs,
people gathered at the quayside, watching
thought to have been brought to the island
a very special display – and for once, The Newfoundlands have also been
by many generations of Portuguese
humans were not the main participants. making regular appearances on various
fisherman since the 15th century.
Dinghies with outboard motors and people regional as well as national TV
in wet suits were holding on to huge programmes.
The Newfoundland dog is as much at home
harnessed dogs – these were the famous
in the water as on dry land and canine
Newfoundland dogs; bred, trained and In order to highlight the prowess of these
literature is abound with stories of brave
renowned for their abilities to swim and dogs and maintain their fitness and
dogs rescuing sailors from drowning,
rescue people from the water. enthusiasm, each week a group of
shipwrecks where dogs have swam out with
© Photographs supplied by Peter Berry
Newfoundlands and their lifeguards meet at lines to salvage the stricken vessels and
The crowd was treated to a polished and the Cotswold Water Park for rigorous
supporting their fishermen owners by
well rehearsed demonstration which training exercises. This involves intensive
retrieving their heavy nets at sea and pulling
consisted of a ‘victim’ falling/ diving into the shore work and practicing the famous dog
carts with the day’s catch to market.
water from the quayside or from the fast jumping rescues. Launching a 14 stone
moving boat. On command each dog in dog into the air from a fast moving speed
These days the Newfoundland is mainly kept
turn would be released – and whether it be boat is – to say the least – impressive!
as a companion rather than a working dog.
from dry land or a speeding dinghy-
His sheer size makes him an effective
each dog would – without hesitation,
watchdog and his gentleness makes him a
launch itself into the air ( and thus the
safe companion and playmate.
water), to a great cheer from the
watching spectators. The dog would
With the help of the Friends
then proceed to swim to the
organisation this breed – with their
floundering casualty, who in turn
unique rescue ability - is being
would grab hold of the handle on the
brought to the attention of a wide
dog's harness and – by the sheer
audience, and as a result, children’s
brute strength of the Newfoundland's
charities are benefitting everywhere.
swimming action (and its webbed
feet) - be safely pulled to shore.
There were three dogs in action.
Chocolate coloured Beau, the
To make a donation to
Landseer (black and white) was
Newfound Friends please
called Whizz and Squirrel was the
telephone 01275 849732.
black coated one.
90 K9MAGAZINE
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92